propriate and emphatic language of scripture:--"Let us break off our
sins by righteousness, and our iniquities by showing mercy to the poor."
A hearty concurrence was manifested on all sides of the house in the
proposition; and the bill having been brought in, was passed rapidly
through all its stages, and finally read a third time amidst loud
cheers. Before the measure came into the upper house, it was announced
by Lord Wharncliffe that ministers would be passive respecting it,
each individual member taking what part they deemed prudent. The second
reading was moved by the Earl of Devon, who, after vindicating the
measure, contended that without any evidence the house would be
justified in preventing the employment of women in the places described.
Subsequently, the earl explained the alterations which it had been
thought advisable to make in the bill; namely, the postponement of the
time at which the employment of females should cease until the 1st of
March next; the abandonment of a clause for regulating the hours
during which children should be employed; the restricting the term of
apprenticeship in any mine or colliery to eight years instead of entire
prohibition; and the enacting that no boy be apprenticed under ten years
of age. Several noble lords spoke for and against the measure; but the
motion for going into committee was carried by forty-nine against three.
In committee several amendments were successively proposed by Lords
Beaumont, Littleton, Skelmersdale, Dunmore, and Mount Cashel; but they
were all rejected, and the several clauses were agreed to, with some
verbal amendments, and the bill reported. The third reading was opposed
by Lord Londonderry, but without success; and the bill passed. The
amendments were subsequently agreed to in the commons.

BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS.

On the 6th of May, Mr. Roebuck, having given notice previously of his
intention, moved for a committee of inquiry into the election of the
members for Reading, Nottingham, Lewes, Penryn, and Harwich. In making
this motion Mr. Roebuck entered into particulars concerning these
elections, in all of which he contended bribery had been practised. He
wished to inquire into these transactions in order to expose them to the
people of this country. He had not, he said, confined his accusations to
one side of the house or the other. He had made no party question of it:
he stood up for the purity of the house; and, God willing, it should be