The Sun.
London, England, 1870-05-13 00:00:00

THE NEW LAW REFORMS.

Considering the immense changes, observes the Post, pro-
posed to be effected in the existing systems of legal and
equitable procedure by the Judicature Bills which the
Lord Chancellor has introduced in the House of Peers,
and the other and -still more pressing'business with which
Parliament is called upon to deal during the present
session, no one will be inclined to regret that a delay
has been granted which will have the effect of post-
poning the further consideration of those measures until
next year. Taken together, they embody what Lord
Westbury justly described as one of the most magnificent
schemes of law reform that has been proposed during the
present generation ; but the very fact that they do so sup-
plies an additional reason why they should not be treated
with undue haste, or receive the sanction of the Legisla-
ture without careful deliberation, " You will never,"
said Lord Romilly, " get a perfect union of law and
equity unless you make a perfect code of laws
altering the character of the laws that at present
exist," It is, however, one of the necessary drawbacks
of the present measures that no such alteration in the
character of the present laws is attempted ; and even sup-
posing Parliament was content to leave to a, committee of
the Privy Council to determine what the new code of pro-
cedure should be, the fundamental distinctions between
the principles of law and equity would remain unchanged.
The Lord Chief Justice admits that the assimilation of
the general principles of equity and common law can
alone be effected by a complete revision of the laws of
England, both written and unwritten. This, if ever ac-
complished, must be a work of time. Meanwhile, how-
ever, much may be done in the amendment of our system
of procedure. The bills introduced by Lord Hatherley,
more especially since their recent modifications, certainly
cannot command approval ; but the criticisms they have
provoked will, it is to be hoped, have the effect of securing
their presentation to Parliament next. year in a more com•
nlete and acceptable form.

The Times remarks that Mr. Bruce last night ex-
hausted the resources of language in denying the rumour
that the French Government had demanded the extradi-
tion of M. Flourens. The demonstration which was in
contemplation next Sunday may therefore be deferred
till another time and place. The Times would like, how-
ever, to see a more decided opinion expressed by the
Secretary of State on these meetings, which bid fair to
become a public nuisance. lecturers and preachers of all
kinds have been turned out, and if politicians are allowed
to take their place, we shall simply have the same thing
in a worse form. There are, too, special reasons why the
meeting in question should not be held while the plot
against the Emperor is being investigated ;. as far as M.
Flourens is concerned it is needless, while with respect to

extradition a clause was introduced into the criminal lair
when it was consolidated, which expressly provides fo
conspiracy to murder, so that the offence, if offence there
be, is punishable by English law.
The Daily News thinks it is difficult to realise to the,
full extent the assistance which is afforded by the 110Y31
Literary Fund. The literary profession is subject to many
drawbacks ; it is the one most subject to physical innfirnild
ties, while its cause is the most impeded by them. Lofror
Dufferin truly said that literature is seldom taken lip
the mere object of making money. The career is open to
all, but few succeed, while many make the effort to do
The necessity for the existence of a society like that a w.
Royal Literary Fund must be apparent to all.
The Standard says the late riots in Paris have not been
of an important nature, and in all probability the leading,'
members of the disaffected party were not in favour o!
the movement ; at any rate the occurrence has conduced
to the success of the Government, which has take
position at once unexpected by its enemies and
surprigne
to its friends. These unequal attempts at disturb. 111,ius
have shown nothing so forcibly as the impotence of tr,
opponents of order, from whatever quarter they ma their
pear, or whatever efforts they snake to further tn
objects in view.
The Telegraph thinks a great point will have been,
gained when we have stamped the sale of advowsons
illegal, for in a free country an act is something ore
than a statute added to the book • it is a declaration nu
matured public opinion. The bill' suggests the quoti?...
whether it would be right to prohibit the sale of advow.
sons, but it is not yet time for any such sweeping me nsiltrea
The Bishop, however, should have the right to rejec
clearly unfit man, which would hinder patrons fro
making a bad selection. It is also worth considering
whether fictitious sales could not be frustrated by declarin
that the sale of an advowson should not include the right
of next presentation. In the meantime it is satisfactory
to know that one step is being taken in the right course.