was perfectly ruinous to the farmer. It also tended to check all
improvements in agriculture, and to render the cultivator of the soil
careless as to the system of cultivation which he pursued. Mr. Sharman
Crawford moved as an amendment that the following words be inserted
after the word "opportunity," in the first clause:--"To give immediate
attention to the claims, so repeatedly urged in the petitions of the
people, for the extension of the parliamentary suffrage, as well as--."
Sir James Graham, in reply, said that he agreed to the first resolution
moved by Lord John Russell, but not to the rest; and, therefore,
he moved the previous question. The house divided on Mr. Crawford's
amendment, which was negatived by a majority of two hundred and
fifty-three against thirty-three. Sir James Graham then moved the
previous question, which was carried by a majority of one hundred and
eighty-two against one hundred and four.

Mr. C. Villiers, according to his annual custom, on the 10th of June
submitted to the house of commons a motion for the appointment of
a committee of the whole house for the purpose of considering his
resolutions for the abolition of all restrictions on the importation of
foreign corn. On a division, the motion was negatived by a majority of
two hundred and fifty-four against one hundred and thirty-two.

AFFAIRS OF IRELAND--MAYNOOTH IMPROVEMENT BILL.

On the 3rd of April, Sir Robert Peel brought in a measure for improving
and increasing the grant to the college of Maynooth. The intention of
the premier had been made known before, and a large number of petitions
were on that evening presented against any such grant; in reference
to which Sir Robert Peel said that he had given timely notice of his
intention to consider the case of Maynooth in a friendly spirit; and
therefore he was not unprepared for the demonstration which had
been made, and which no doubt proceeded from persons actuated by
conscientious scruples. In continuation, he observed, that it appeared
to the ministers there were three courses which they might pursue:--to
continue the present system, and grant without alteration; to
discontinue the vote altogether, and to repudiate all connexion with
Maynooth; or liberally to adopt, improve, and extend the institution
provided for the education of the Roman Catholic priesthood. He
proceeded to discuss these three courses in succession; and after
showing that they could not conscientiously a