The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-20 00:00:00

SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

The Times regrets that the cabinet should have last
night opposed both the schemes of permissive tenant-
right. The bill is still a good bill, but a favourable
opportunity for improvement has been lost. Twenty-two
out of twenty-three counties in Ireland outside Ulster
have, through their representatives, approved the prin-
ciple of the plans yesterday discussed, and asked the
Government to acqept it. The several organs of Irish
opinion have united in asking for it. Why have not
their wishes been heeded ? The attitude of the Govern-
ment is greatly to be regretted. It is from such incidents
that the Irish nationalist party derives its strength; and
esteeming the policy of separation fatal to both countries,
we deplore any neglect of Irish opinion which may seem
for a moment to justify it.
The, Tlegraph ,says that the discussion on the Greek
massacre to-night, will have a great interest, and in some
measure bear upon new features of the case. We must
settle what demands are to be made upon Greece, for the
injury which has been inflicted upon us, and above all we must
not be carried away by passion. The question is whether
the Greek executive is prepared to render us the required
satisfaction, or whether we must exercise pressure from
without to ensure the necessary requital. There are
peculiar circumstances which call for attention in this
case.

The Daily' News asks who is to fill the Throne of Spain,
or if it is not worth the acceptance, of Nose to whom
it is offered. It is to be hoped that Espartero will
keep to his resolution, and not consent to fill
a place for which he is not fitted. It is hinted
that Marshall Serrano may after all be the long-looked-
for King, and we are free to suspect that some under-
standing exists on this subject between him and-Prim.
The uspect of affairs in Spain just now leads us to sup-
pose that important changes are impending, and that
many efforts are being made to fill the- vacant throne,
Last evening, says the Standard, Lord Houghton
moved the second reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister
Bill in the most crowded House of Lords which has been
seen this session. It is to be regretted that
his speech was not more worthy of it. He met
two sdamaging retorts from the Bishop of Ely and the
Duke of Marlbprough, the latter doing good service in
calling attention to one of the most insiduous pro-
visions of the bill. It proposes that if these
marriages are legalised the clergy shall not be compelled
to solemnise them, the civil form at the registration office
being sufficient. No wonder Mr. Gladstone is thankful for
any compromise ; but when it remembered that 80,000 civil
marriages take place annually it is surely unwise to bracket
them with unions interdicted by the Church. The rejec-
tion of the second reading will give the friends of the bill
time to reconsider their plans. They must understand
that the public will not tolerate a condonation Of past
offences against the law. To have passed this bill
would have been to offer a premium to law-breakers.
The Post says that the time was not wasted which was
bestowed upon the consideration of Sir J. Gray's clauses,
but they could not be made to fit in with the blil.
The Irish Land Bill is safe, and though some of those
who vote with the minority may entertain doubts as
to its 'merit no one, can believe it possible that
the House of Lords will reject it. The success which the
Government has achieved must be estimated according
to the difficulties which they have surmounted, and it
must be remembered that they have attained an object
which none of their predecessors could reach.