er of the first commissioners of woods and forests, on the
subject of warming and ventilating the new houses of parliament. The
right honourable baronet on this occasion stated his intentions as to
the course to be pursued with respect to the public business of the
country.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

Mr. Goulburn brought forward his financial statement in a committee
of ways and means on the 27th of September. He first stated what was
wanted, showing that the house was called on to provide for a deficiency
of L2,467,432. This sum, he said, did not differ materially from the
deficiency anticipated by his predecessor; and to meet it he proposed
funding a portion of the unfunded debt. He had, indeed, already made
proposals to the public, which, he said, had been completely successful;
the subscription he had obtained would enable him to give the requisite
relief. The sum subscribed exceeded L3,500,000; and the terms he had
offered were not higher than those offered by Mr. Spring Rice in 1838.
The bonus would be found to be about 18s. 10d. per cent. With respect to
the requisite supply, immediate taxation was out of the question; and he
should therefore propose a mode of supply, which as a permanent resource
he should deprecate, by an issue of exchequer-bills or a sale of stock,
at the option of government. He suggested this alternative method,
in order that the market might not be presently flooded again with a
quantity of exchequer-bills equal to that from which it had just been
relieved. Mr. Goulburn concluded by moving a resolution in accordance
with the plan which he had explained, for funding the recent
subscriptions in three per cent, consols. This proposition met with
considerable opposition from Mr. Baring and other members; but the
resolutions necessary for carrying it out were, nevertheless, passed
without a division.

POOR LAWS, ETC.

The only measures of importance brought forward this session, after the
supplies had been granted, were the bill for the better administration
of justice in the court of Chancery, and the poor-law commission
continuance bill. The former of these measures was merely a revival of
that which was thrown up by the former government, as seen in a previous
page; and it now quickly passed both houses, and received the royal
assent. The latter subject gave rise to more opposition and debate.
It was brought forward by Sir Robert Peel on the 21st of September,
by moving for leave