y debate took place; but the resolutions were all
negatived. But, notwithstanding the house of commons refused to affirm
these resolutions, the investigation that had taken place had some
practical result. One of the terms on which the petition against the
return of one of the members for Reading was compromised, was the
acceptance of the Chiltern hundreds within a limited time. When that
time arrived, however, for carrying this stipulation into effect, an
unexpected difficulty occurred. The chancellor of the exchequer now made
aware, by the publication of the report, for what the application
was preferred, declined to grant it; and the individual who had bound
himself to resign his seat, found it beyond his power to do so. The
course of proceeding adopted by the chancellor of the exchequer became
the subject of discussion in the house of commons on the 6th of August,
when Lord Palmerston moved for "copies of any correspondence which had
taken place since the 1st day of July last, between the chancellor of
the exchequer and any member of this house, upon the subject of the
stewardship of the Chiltern hundreds;" the result of which motion was
that the copies were ordered. Subsequently, the writs for filling up
vacancies created by the unseating or collusive resignation of members
at Ipswich, Southampton, Nottingham, and Newcastle-under-Lyne were all
ordered to be issued. The disclosures before the committee concerning
Sudbury, induced Mr. Redington, the chairman, to bring in a bill for the
disfranchisement of that borough; but though this bill was supported by
government, and passed through the commons, owing to the late period at
which it was sent up to the lords, it only reached a second reading in
that house. The writ, however, was suspended _sine die_. In connection
with this subject, it may be mentioned that Lord John Russell brought in
a bill for the prevention of bribery, and remedying some of the abuses
to which election proceedings were liable; which bill, with some
modifications in committee, passed both houses, and received the royal
assent.

LAW REFORMS.

In the early part of this session the lord-chancellor gave notice of
bills respecting bankruptcy, lunacy, and county courts. Adverting first
to the subject of bankruptcies, he commenced by paying a compliment to
Lord Brougham, upon the improvements in that department of the law
which he had introduced. His lordship continued:--"That system, however,