The Express.
London, England, 1853-02-23 00:00:00

DIPERIAL PARLIAMENT
HOUSE OF LORDS.—TcrsDAT, F. 22.
The LORD CHAVICIILLOit took his seat at 5 o'clock.
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
Loin LIBVTIMANCT or lIIISLAMD.-131 the Earl of
CARDIGAN, from Lord,W. Fitzgerald, praying for the
abolition of the Lord Lieutenancy of Ireland.
COUNTY COTIMO.—By Lord BROUGIIAM, from Pima
in the county of Camuvon and other places, in favour of
an extension of the jurirlietion of County (,-irti.
Matrisoiorn.—By the Earl of ENNUI/CILLEN, from
Bt. Andrcu 'I. Holborn; several places in Suffolk, and
Ashluy, iu Staffordshire, aiaic b• endowment of Afiy•
Booth.

---,wit herrn AIL:.
, LAW OF E 5 IDENCE (Stw.,
Lira E1l01.:OHAM nee to move the second reading of
this bill. Its object was to extend to Scotland that which
had been the law on this most important subject in Eng-
land. Lost tesMon the Lord Advocate brought in a bill to
improve the law of evidence in Scotland, by extending
Lord Denntaiis act to that country; and its effect hail been
found to be meet salutary. It was then thought not desir-
able to eat,nd to Scotland him (Lord brougham's) act of
18;1, lathing the parties to a suit, as well as other persons,
competent to give evidence—but such was the object of the
bresent mouton. He was glad the other night to
ear the Lord Chief Justice say that the karma
judges, who hal originally been against this 111118111.11%
had, from the experience they had derived teem
Be working, changed their opinion; and with
a degree of candour which did them infinite honour, had
avowed that change of opinion, and were now warmly in
favour of tln measure of 1351. (Hear, hear.) He mast
also announce another change of opinion, the Faculty of
Advocates in E linhurgh (of whom he desired to speak with
more than ordinary respect and affection, having had the
tumour of belonging to that leaned body). Those learned
persons had entertained great doable as to the expediency
of this change in the law. From the experience of its
working, however, they were Wen* imbued to come
resod to an opinion in its favour • sad they had lately
114. a resolution approving of di:, watembas of the law tol
litid, only suggesting one or two gualikations„which,
by altappy accident, he had anticipated, mid the bill Mak'
be then presented was framed so es esdney M meal tbe
wishes of that highly respectable and learned body.
Lord CAMPBELL highly approved of the measure, and
paid a compliment to the Faculty of Advocates.
The LORD CHANCELLOR. said his .cable and learned
friend had introduced this bill to assimilate the law of the
two computes. He had, however, gouts beyond the actual
eaistiag law of England, because he had introduced into
this bill, as he naturally would, a clause with reference to
which a bill had already been read a Scat time in their
lordship.' house, and he hoped it would soon become the
law of the land. It had reference to the evidence of
husbands and wives; and it was but due to his noble and
lest lied friend to my that it was introduced into his bill of
1881. lie had in that bill a Manse extending the law of evi-
dean to husband and wife, and he (the Lord Chancellor)
was then opposed to it ; but he must confess that he had
Mace had reason to change his opinion, and he now approved
of such a clause, but the husband and wife would not be
compelled to disclose that which passed in wades.,
between themselves.