The Lord Chancellorsaid, he thought it his duty to call their lordships' attention to what he 35 conceived to be a breach of privilege. By an order of their lordships, strangers were not permitted to appear below the bar. The officers of their lordships' House had thought proper to disobey that order, and to admit strangers, upon which he would say nothing at present, but did not allow them to come in with sticks and umbrellas. A person, presenting himself for admittance, had therefore been desired to leave his umbrella behind, which he did, and which was afterwards taken away. That person had thought proper to bring an action against the officer of the House, to recover the value of the umbrella; and had, moreover taken upon himself to serve him with the process in their lordships House. That he conceived to be a breach of privilege. He thought that the regular course for their lordships to pursue would be to call the officer to the bar, to state the circumstances of the case, which he must depose to on oath. Their lordships would then decide whether a breach of privilege had been committed.
The Earl of Rosslynsaid, that the individual had no right to bring an action at all; and that bringing an action would of itself have constituted a breach of privilege.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw. The officer of the bar desposed to the fact, and the person who had brought the action was ordered to appear at their lordships' bar to-morrow.