The Press.
London, England, 1854-07-15 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

SATURDAY,

Land Bills led to animated debates in both Houses on Thursday.
The two bills, prepared with great care by Mr. NAPIER, were accom-
panied with a third, by Sir J. YouNG, for Tenant Compensation. The
last was rejected by the Lords' committee, the Duke of ARGYLL con-
curring in the propriety of its rejection. Lord JOHN RUSSELL him-
self virtually admitted that the Legislature would never pass a bill
which, by interfering with the rights of property, had a communistic
tendency. The best measure, he argued, would be that which
afforded facilities for contracts, and gave power to enforce them. Yet
Sir JOHN YouNG abandoned the two bills, universally acknowledged
to be excellent in principle, on the ground that they were not ac-
companied by a third, which his colleagues disapproved, and which
could never be expected to pass. Mr. DISRAELI took part in the
debate, giving expression to masterly argument and sound political
philosophy in a strain of superb sarcasm. His characterisation of the
Lord President of the Council, owing his administrative success to
evasion of difficulties; his suggestion that an independent supporter
of the Administration should test the opinion of the House by a vote
of confidence ; and his prophetic answer to the question how long the
Coalition would stand, " Until the character cf every one of its mem-
" bers was irretrievably injured," were recognised as electric flashes
of true oratorial genius.
The omission of the Bishop of NEW ZEALAND'S salary from the
estimates is universally denounced as an ungracious and shabby
proceeding. When Sir Jous PAKINGTON announced that the vote on
account of New Zealand should cease, he never intended that this
6001. should drop. The present Colonial Minister seems to have
eagerly seized a plausible opportunity for stopping the grant. The
vote might easily have been brought forward in some other shape, had
there not existed a determination to suppress it.
The conduct of the Bishops on the Oxford University Bill has
been much discussed. It is felt that on that occasion the episcopal
bench has taken a course wholly adverse to Conservative interests
and the strength and unity of the Church. The Lords' amendments
are to be considered in the Commons on Thursday next.
The public, generally indisposed to Indian politics, with which
they have no immediate concern, are not likely to interest them-
selves much in the debate of Tuesday night and with " ryot-war "
and " zemindar " systems. It was shown that the existing system of
land tenure in India was oppressive, unfair, and totally opposed to im-
provement. Mr. Lowes answer to the case made out for inquiry was
curious. " The theory of the Government of India was based upon
despotism, and it would be unwise to show the people of India that
there was an authority in England that could supersede this despotic
power." These were his words. Justice, good faith, beneficent rule,
all must give way to the necessity of impressing the native people of
India with a belief in the irresistible despotism of Lord DALHOustz
and the India-house. He admitted the existence of many evils, but, if
despotism would not or could not cure them, Parliament ought by no
means to interfere. To this doctrine Sir J. HOOO and Sir C. WOOD
cried ditto, ditto, the latter making many "admissions," such as that
the assessment was too high, and urging that, if this and other evils
were left alone, they would probably be remedied some time or other.

A decision has at last been pronounced on the application for a
new trial in the case of the Duchess of MANCHESTER'S will. Our
scandals commonly take a pecuniary shape. " The least-erected
spirit that fell from heaven" seems to dominate in modern society.
HOGARTH'S satire of the attendant of a dying woman drawing a ring
from her finger but feebly expresses the covetousness which may
minister to a death-bed and mingle with solemn prayers and pious
exhortations. The founder of Wesleyanism, to the last day of his
life, lamented the worldliness of his flock. The disciples of GEORGE
Fox would scarcely be as willing to dispense with the world's wealth
as they are with its vanities. Large allowance must be made for
natural instincts and worldly necessities, but the disclosures on this
trial are of an ugly character. The counsel employed thought it ne-
cessary that their speeches should accord in length to the amount of
property at stake; but the question at issue—the legal question at
least—has a short one. What was the Duchess's state of mind at
the period when she made the will? Sir PAGE WooD, in his judgment,
drew a somewhat subtle distinction. A lucid interval in a person
afflicted with permanent insanity should be regarded with more
suspicion than a lucid interval in one suffering from fits of de-
lirium. An acute juryman on the trial had asked whether in a lucid
interval a person might not execute a disposition of property previously
resolved on : the presiding judge replied in the affirmative. But, as
he did not fence round his reply by showing how greatly a simple in-
tention might be modified by the details purporting to express it, the
Vice-Chancellor thought a new trial should be granted. Iu his
opinion the Duke was morally bound by the wishes of the Duchess, but
legally free by the instrument she left, if that instrument were estab-
lished,—an opposition between moral and legal justice by no means
singular in the world. We are inclined to believe that if, in the dispo-
sition of property, less was left to individual weakness or caprice,
society would on the whole be the gainer. The new trial is ordered to
take place at Guildford during the present assizes.

It would be rash to assume that the troubles in Spain are yet
over. For years past her successful generals have proved her curse.
O'DONNELL is a fierce and daring soldier, with a considerable following,
and SERRANO has now joined the insurgent ranks. The Government
accounts state that some !disturbances have been put down in Va-
lencia; but the longer the insurgents hold out the more opportunity
they will have of tampering with the disaffected, and of seducing the
soldiery—seldom, to their disgrace be it said, loyally attached to
their colours—from their allegiance.