mend for their lordships' attention, pos- commissioners should have power to emsessed that merit. He submitted them to ploy engineers to make surveys and to take the House with confidence, from the great | levels. And he certainly was of opinion, legal assistance he had received out of the that parliament had never contemplated any House, and also from the learned lord, such thing when it agreed to the address for (Tenterden), and from whom he had ex- the appointment of the commission. He deperienced not only that courtesy which he termined to refer to his right hon. friend, maintained towards every one, but that for he felt that it would be inexpedient in zeal for the improvement of the law which him either to curtail or to increase those gave additional lustre to the many quali- powers beyond what was originally inties by which that learned lord was tended. He had been asked whether the distinguished in the high station which he commission was to make an analysis of filled with so much advantage to the the water. He had replied, that it would country.

not be sufficient for the commission to The bills were then read a second time. make only one analysis of the water, they

must make an analysis of it, as taken from HOUSE OF COMMONS.

different parts of the river, at different Tuesday, March 18.

periods of the tide and of the year. He

had also been asked whether he approved SUPPLY OF WATER to the Metro- of the gentlemen who had been appointed POLIS.] Sir F. Burdett rose to ask the commissioners; namely, Mr. Telford, the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- engineer; Dr. Roget, the physician; and ment, what progress had been made by Mr. Brande, the chymist; and he had the Commissioners appointed to inquire expressed of them that approbation which into the State of the Supply of Water to their eminent acquirements richly deserved. the Metropolis.

As the commission had, on his return to Mr. Secretary Peel said, that, upon a office, been sitting for five months, he venformer occasion, when the same question tured to inquire whether they had made had been put to him by the hon. baronet's any analysis of the water, and when they colleague, he had endeavoured to give a would be prepared to make their replain and intelligible answer. He had port. He was told that the analysis of stated, that on his return to the office the water would be complete in about which he had then the honour to fill, he six weeks; and that soon afterwards had found that one of his predecessors, they would make a report which would Mr. Sturges Bourne, had appointed a com- bring all their proceedings under the mission to inquire into the supply of water consideration of parliament. He trusted to the metropolis, and that a question had it was quite unnecessary for him to say, arisen as to the extent of power bestowed that he entertained no feeling upon this on the individuals appointed as commis- particular question. If parliament should sioners under it. He had been called upon think it right to have engineers employed to decide that question, and his answer to make surveys and to take levels, with a was, that he should be governed entirely view of discovering from what quarter the by the view which had been taken of it by best, purest, and most abundant, supply of the right hon. gentleman who had appointed water could be brought to the metropolis, the commission. Upon inquiry he found nothing could be easier than to add the that it was the opinion, not only of Mr. instruction to the address. He should Sturges Bourne, but also of the marquis of reserve his opinion as to the propriety or Lansdowne, who had succeeded to his impropriety of such a measure. He office, that the powers which had been thought that, if the commissioners should conferred on the commissioners were suf- be of opinion that there was not sufficient ficiently ample for all the objects contem- salubrity in the water of the Thames, plated in the commission. It gave them there was that opulence, and that spirit of power to examine witnesses upon oath, enterprise in the inhabitants of this great and to make all such inquiries as they metropolis, which would induce them to should deem necessary, to show the present form a new Water-company in order to state of the supply of water to the metro- secure a better supply of water than that polis, and to determine its quality, quan- which they had at present; and he frankly tity, description, and salubrity. A ques- owned that he conceived such new comtion had likewise arisen, as to whether the pany, and not the government, should be at the expense of making the requisite and unsatisfactory manner. If the comsurveys, and taking the necessary levels. mission were not to be allowed to look at He was of opinion that it would be quite the means of remedying the present insufficient for the commission appointed by salubrious and inefficient supply, it was the Crown to make an analysis of the worse than useless to appoint them. If water, and to report its opinion upon the they had nothing to do but to analyze the quality and quantity of the supply. He had water---which, by the by, had been repeatlaid upon the table of the House, the other edly done by the first chymists in London, day, a copy of the commission, and also a why had they been appointed? The phy copy of all the correspondence to which it sician who was appointed a member of the had given rise and he believed that, in a commission, might be the most learned of few days, it would be printed, and in the physicians, the chymist the most able of hands of every member. He, therefore, chymists, and the engineer the most expert would take the liberty of suggesting, that and ingenious of engineers; but we did not it would be advisable to proceed no fur- want a learned physician, to tell us that the ther in the discussion until they had the water was insalubrious, nor an able chyreport of the commissioners. He could mist (to analyze its contents, nor an innot, however, conclude, without expressing genious engineer to make surveys and a hope that the House would pause before take levels, unless they were also to seek it consented to give greater powers to the for a remedy to the evils which they discommission than those it had at present. covered. He was of opinion, that it would

Mr. 8. Bourne rose merely to confirm be of great advantage to the public to have the statement of his right hon. friend. any plan, which might be proposed for the However, as he was upon his legs, he could better supply of water to the metropolis, not help expressing his surprise that the executed under the authority of governreport of this commission had not been ment; and he thought that it would be presented long ago. He thought that all better for government to fix upon some that the commission had to ascertain was, plan for such an object, than to leave it to whether the quality of the water now the whim and caprice of individual specusupplied to the metropolis was good, and lators. He considered the present to be whether its quantity was sufficient. He one of the most important matters that imagined that the labours, which they had ever fallen within the remedial powers were appointed to discharge, might be of any government. The main object to discharged in so short à period that he which the government ought to look in had nearly limited in the commission the any measures which it might hereafter time within which they were to make their think proper to adopt was, to obtain water report; and he had only been prevented from pure sources, and not from such from so doing by a petition having been sources as required every thing which presented from Southwark, praying that came from them to be filtrated previously the labours of the commissioners might be to its being reduced to a condition fit for extended, to inquire into the supply use. There was another part of this subof water on their side of the Thames. He ject which likewise deserved the attention had appointed on the commission one of of parliament—and that was, the cost of the most able physicians, and one of the the supply of water to the metropolis. In most eminent chymists, of the present day, this article, all the principles of free trade in order that the public might have the were violated and set at nought. The difbenefit of the ablest opinions on the salu- ferent water companies had established a brity of the water ; and he had added an complete monopoly. [“ Order" from the excellent engineer to their number, in Speaker.] He begged pardon-he was order that they might avoid the expense aware that on the present occasion he had of employing individuals to take levels for no right to enter upon such a discussion ; them, and might have in their own body a but it was almost impossible to leave off. gentleman who could give them the most Here the conversation dropped. satisfactory information upon all such matters.

CORPORATION AND TEST Acts RESir F. Burdett said, that if the com- PEAL Bill.] The order of the day was mission was merely appointed to analyze read for going into a committee on this the water which was supplied to the metro- bill. On the question, that the Speaker polis, it was wasting its time in a very idle I do now leave the chair,

a

Mr. Sturges Bourne said, that, from the der to remind them of the effects which unavoidable absence of his honourable these statutes had already produced. Perfriend, the member for Devonshire (sir sons who did not belong to the church of T. D. Acland) it had fallen to his lot to England were obliged to qualify themundertake the task of laying before the selves by taking the sacrament to hold House a proposition which, he trusted, certain offices in the State. That enactwould have the effect of uniting the suf- ment soon led to a conference between the frages of both parties on this great ques- two Houses on the subject of Occasional tion, and which, while it extended the Conformity, which, after some discussion, liberties of the Dissenters would amply ended in a quarrel between them. Soon provide for the security of the church. He afterwards a bill was brought in to repeal regretted the absence of his hon. friend, the act for OccasionalConformity; but that because it had deprived the proposition of bill was found to be so severe in its enactthe influence which it would have received ments, that after the lapse of a short time, from his talents and weight of cha- another bill was brought in to suspend it, racter. On the former discussion of this a bill which had been annually passed question, there had been so much ability ever since. That such a bill should displayed, and, he was happy to add, so ever have been deemed a security to the much temper and moderation shewn by Established Churchi was a point which, the noble lord and his supporters, as ma- he fairly owned, astonished him. It might terially to add to the effect with which keep out of office honest and conscienthey pressed their considerations upon the tious men, but it never could operate as House. They had already determined, a restraint upon men of a contrary disby no equivocal majority, that the Sacra- position. He had hoped that the enactmental tests now in existence ought to be ments of the Corporation and Test acts abolished. He knew that there were among had become a dead letter; and therethe members who composed that majority, fore it was, that he had heard with much very different feelings on that subject. Some sorrow that there was a particular church considered every sort of test as improper ; | in London to which individuals went, others thought it a desirable object to have on stated occasions, to take the sacrament some tests, but agreed, that Sacramental as a qualification for office. He was conTests were at least inefficient, while all | vinced that the church could receive no concurred in opinion, that it was bad to benefit from such a profanation of one of continue a system which led to a revolt its most solemn and awful rites; and ing profanation of a most solemn rite of therefore he thought that there could be religion. That such were the opinions of no particular desire on the part of those those who formed that majority he had no gentlemen who formed the minority of the doubt. He believed he might say with the former night to retain the present tests, same degree of confidence, that his right if any other could be substituted in their hon. friend, and those who supported him, stead. With respect to the gentlemen would not think he was doing them an in- who sought the entire repeal of the present justice when he stated, that he did not restrictive statutes, he was afraid that it suppose they were opposed to the abolition might be more difficult to reconcile them of the Tests now in existence if others to the proposition which he intended to could be substituted, that would afford a submit to the House ; for they might be proper degree of security to the church. of opinion, that all tests were unnecessary He had little doubt that they would be and improper, and be inclined not to inthankful to him or to any one else, who cumber the boon which they sought to should propose a step by which they might confer upon the Dissenters by any limibe exempted from a course that would tation whatever. He could understand seem to lay them open to such an impu- the feeling on which they were prepared tation. These circumstances had induced to act; but he trusted that if it were poshim to hope, that some proposition might sible to frame a declaration which would be made which would put an end to all give satisfaction to the members of the objections, and render the abolition of Established Church, and which was at the existing Tests in every way feasible. the same time free from all the objections To those who had resisted the motion of which the Dissenters naturally entertained the noble lord on a former evening, he against the present tests, they would not would beg leave to say a few words, in or- risk the loss of a great advantage for the

on the former evening, he was not at all insensible to the inconveniences of the present laws respecting the Dissenters. It was impossible to avoid seeing that they were full of inconsistencies, when a bill of indemnity was annually passed to suspend the severity of their enactments. It was impossible also to avoid seeing that the test which required individuals to use the most sacred ceremony of the church as a qualification for office, was a profanation of religion which ought to be continued no longer. He would candidly confess that he had voted on the former night against the motion of the noble lord, because he was not prepared to support the abolition of the existing tests, without having some declaration substituted for them, acknowledging that the church of England was an integral part of the con

accidental attainment of an advantage still greater. He did not intend to propose the taking of an oath as a qualification for office, he thought that a declaration, solemnly subscribed, would be equally effective and binding. He should therefore propose that a declaration should be made to the following effect, by all candidates for office at the time, when by the existing law, the oaths of allegiance and supremacy were to be taken ;-"I, A. B., do solemnly and sincerely declare, that I will not use any powers with which I may be invested by this office, to subvert, or to endeavour to subvert, the principles of the church of England, Scotland, or Ireland, as by law established." He had endeavoured in this declaration to avoid the use of any terms that were vague and indefinite; and he should be well satisfied to see it made a part of the noble lord's pre-stitution, and pledging the person taking sent bill. He had now stated the sum and substance of all that he had to propose. The declaration would apply equally to the privileges of the established church of Scotland, and to those of the established church of England and Ireland, and must be taken by all the king's subjects alike before their admission into any public office. Before he concluded, he would say a few words respecting the conduct of the clergy of the establishment. It could not have failed to strike the attention of every member of that House, that the clergy had not thought fit, except in one or two instances, to trouble the House with petitions on this subject. He inferred from that circumstance, that they reposed with confidence in the attachment of parliament to the establishment of which they were the pious and active ministers. Anxious as he was for the security of the church of England, he would confess that he thought that they had done more by their silence to advance its interest and welfare, than if they had covered the table of the House with loads of petitions against the repeal of these statutes. The right hon. gentleman concluded by moving "That it be an instruction to the committee on this bill, that they have power to provide for the taking and subscribing a declaration by all persons who would, under the existing laws, be required to take the Sacramental Test."

Lord Eastnor, in seconding the motion, said, he could assure the noble lord, that though he had formed one of the minority

office to consider it in that light. He was now of opinion that some declaration, such as his right hon. friend had proposed, might be framed so as to satisfy both sides of the House. He was aware it might be said, that if he was impressed by such sentiments he ought not to have voted as he had done on the former night, because it would have been easy for him, when the noble lord's bill came to its present stage, to have proposed that a similar instruction to the present be given to the committee. He must confess, that if the noble lord in his speech-which he owned to be a most able and conciliatory speech-had propounded any intention of substituting a declaration instead of an oath as a test, he should have given his support to the noble lord's motion. He had, however, supposed that such was not the intention of the noble lord, and had voted accordingly. He acknowledged it to be his opinion, that if the noble lord had not carried his motion on the former night, the subject would have been taken up by government; and if it had been so taken up, the repeal of these statutes would have been more satisfactory both to the government and to the Dissenters. He was aware of the utter impossibility of satisfying all parties; but he thought the instruction went a great way towards the attainment of that object, since it secured the interests of the church, while it did not offend the religious scruples of the Dissenters. He hoped it would be carried; and if so, he should no further oppose the progress of the bill,

Lord John Russell said, that he was I ligious disability, but on the contrary, a ready thus early, to offer himself to the Declaration merely affecting the civil notice of the House upon the new question conditions upon which the tenure of office submitted for their consideration. The was to be held by those who were ready noble lord who spoke last was right in to admit the paramount obligations of the saying that neither he nor any of his constitution. Though he thus rejoiced friends had either proposed or prepared that the question was not what it had any test as a substitute for those which been, and was at length put upon fresh they were anxious to revoke. On the ground of argument, yet he could not contrary, they had asked for the total concur in the conclusion, that any fresh repeal of the existing law, on general prin- declaration was necessary. He had ciples of justice and policy, without having many reasons to prevent his adopting it in their contemplation to propose any such a conclusion. The first reason was substitute in lieu of the oath required that there being no pretensions for danger by the Established Church. Notwith- there could be no necessity for demandstanding what had fallen from the right ing security. Whether the Test and Corhon. gentleman, he could not help think- poration acts were originally just and ing that unqualified repeal was what was proper—whether their provisions were meant by the great majority who had adequate to the presumed necessity for their pronounced their opinions upon this sub-enactment-it was now rather too late to ject on a former night. There had been, inquire. But they had at least this plauundoubtedly, an opinion expressed by an sibility, or supposed advantage, in the hon. friend of his, that it would be better principle of their construction -- that to have a bill of suspension than one of they were really enacted to meet an repeal; but he could not bring himself to apparent overwhelming danger. At the believe that many hạd concurred in a time to which he referred, there did exist proposition of that nature. Before, how- a set of men who had sought to destroy ever, he went further in his allusions to the constitution, as in church and state the general subject, or entered upon the established. At present, what pretence specific proposition of the right hon. gen. was there that any declaration or religious tleman, he hoped the House would allow test was called for, to protect either church him to congratulate them upon the differ- or state from any particular danger ? Had ent condition in which this great question any complaint been made against the was now placed, from that it had occu- principles or practice of any of the Dispied on any former occasion. They had senters who had obtained office? And no longer to inquire into the essential it must not be forgotten that Protestant differences which formed the barrier be- Dissenters, if they really meant hostility tween the established and dissenting to the Established Church, had had the churches, or whether or no Dissenters power of foinenting their machinations were worthy of holding places of trust during the greater part of the last half and office. They had no longer to com- century, in which time they had been bat any of those theological distinctions practically admitted into office. Had or subtleties, which had been interposed they, during that lapse of years, sought in the form of striking difficulties, and the subversion of the Established Church? most improperly, as he had always thought, Had they attempted to oppose the dowhere the question really was ihe adjust- minion of the law? Had they endeament of civil duties. They had no longer voured to introduce disorder or civil conto grapple with that ancient principle, tention into the kingdom? The answer which provided, that no man was worthy of bistory was, No. if, then, they had to serve the state, of which he was a so- not, he called upon the House not to cial member, unless he belonged to the sanction an imputation where no charge creed of the dominating church. It was either hador could be made--not to express a source, he thought, of real satisfaction, a distrust where no confidence had been that the question now came before them violated. His next reason against the prostripped of these incumbrances. It was posed amendment was, that he saw no cause put fairly and plainly in a different form why the Dissenters should make any declaby the right hon. gentleman, who had, ration respecting the Established Church, in his amendment, proposed no assertion which they were not called upon to make of the obsolete principle of inherent re- towards any other establishment of the VOL, XVIII

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