Questions Speech of the Bishop on moving the Second Reading-The
Bill is opposed on the part of the Government by the Marquess of Lans-
downe, Lord Brougham, the Bishop of St. David's, Lord Campbell, the Earl
of Harrowby, and the Earl of Carlisle, and supported by the Duke of
Cambridge, Lord Lyttelton, and the Bishop of Oxford-The Second Reading
is negatived by 84 to 51. REFORM OF THE UNIVERSITIES—Mr. Heywood
moves an Address to the Crown, to issue a Commission of Inquiry into the
State of the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin-Sir R. H.
Inglis opposes the Motion on behalf of Oxford, and Mr. Napier on behalf of
Trinity College, Dublin-Lord John Russell surprises the House by inti-
mating the intention of Government to concede the Commission-Remarks
of Mr. Goulburn, Mr. Roundell Palmer, and other Members-The Debate
is adjourned-Incidental discussions on the subject in the House of Lords
-Declaration of the Duke of Wellington-Remarks of Lord Monteagle,
and assurance given by Lord Carlisle, as to the intended constitution of
the Commission-Resumption of the Debate on Mr. Heywood's Motion-
Speeches of Mr. Roundell Palmer, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Law, and Lord John
Russell-A division takes place, which results in a majority of 22 in
favour of the Commission. ALTERATION OF THE LAW of MARRIAGE—
Mr. Stuart Wortley revives his Bill of the preceding Session for legalising
Marriages within certain degrees of affinity-The introduction of the Bill
is opposed, but without success-Debate on the Second Reading-Speeches
of Mr. A. B. Hope, Mr. Sidney Herbert, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Roundell Palmer,
Lord Mahon, Mr. Cockburn, Mr. Sheil, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. Goulburn-
The Second Reading is passed by a majority of 52-The committal of the
Bill is opposed by Mr. Divett, and carried by a majority of 2 only-Various
Amendments are proposed without success-The Bill is passed, but is
ultimately withdrawn in the House of Lords, at the End of the Session,
by Earl St. Germans. SUNDAY LABOUR IN THE POST OFFICE-Motion by
Lord Ashley, to discontinue the delivery of letters on Sunday, is carried
against the Government by 93 to 68-The alteration is soon after carried
into effect, but excites much controversy and dissatisfaction-After it has
been in operation a few weeks, Mr. Locke moves an Address to the Crown,
praying for a reconsideration of the Order-Mr. Roebuck seconds the
Motion-Lord Ashley strongly opposes it-After a Debate, the Motion, as
amended on the proposition of Lord John Russell, is carried by 195 to
112 The new regulations of the Post Office are shortly afterwards
rescinded. AMENDMENT OF THE FACTORY ACT-Circumstances which led
to further legislation on the subject-Lord Ashley moves for leave to
bring in a Bill to give effect to the objects of the Act of 1847-Various
discussions on this Measure-Sir George Grey, on the part of the Govern-
ment, proposes an arrangement by way of compromise between the Mill-
owners and Operatives-Lord Ashley accedes to the proposal with some
conditions-Amendments are moved during the progress of the Bill by
Lord Ashley, Lord John Manners, and other Members, for the purpose of
enforcing further limitations upon the hours of labour, but ultimately the
Bill is passed in the shape proposed by the Government-The Duke of
Richmond and Earl of Harrowby propose similar Amendments in the
House of Lords, but without success, and the Bill is passed