The Sun.
London, England, 1828-06-27 00:00:00

MR. HUMPHREY.

Mr. BROUGH 'kM presented a petition from
W. E. C. Turner, a prisoner confined for debt in
Castle Rusher), complaining of abuses in the admi-
nistration of the law in the Isle of Alan.

On the Motion that the petition he brought up,
Sir J. MACKINTOSH hecged to say a few
words on a subject which, although not immediately
connected with the prayer of the petition, had a re-
mote affinity to it. It was with great regret that,
in common with the community at large, and more
especially with those who were engaged in the pro-
fession of the law, he found that the name of Mr.
Humphrey was omitted in the Commission appointed
to inquire into the various subjects connected with
the law of real property. From the long acquaint,
ance which he had the pleasure of enjoying with
that gentleman, from his knowledge of his great
merits and Tarim's attainments, he would state that
in which he was persuaded all the Lelrned Profes-
sion would concur with him, that there was no Milne
that would more immediately have occurred to all

who wished for a real reformation of the law in

question, than the name of Mr. Humphrey. That
gentleman was as deeply acquainted with the princi-
ples, as he was confessedly eminent in the practice of
his profession. Under these circumstances, it was a
public misfortune that his name did not occur in the
list of the Commissioners. - That omission deprived
the commission of a great part of the hold on the
public confidence which it would otherwise have
possessed.

Mr. Secretary PEEL said that it was very pain-
ful to enter into a discussion of any of the reasons
which had influenced the decision ; but he might be
allowed to say, that the omission of Mr. Humphrey's
name was perfectly consistent with the highest re-
spect on his (Mr. Peel's) part for that gentleman's
character. The fact was, however, that Mr. Hum-
phrey had written a book which had provoked much
controversy. If he had been named in the Commis-
sion, it would have been but right to name sonic
person who had taken the opposite side in that
controversy. Now he did not conceive that the ob-
ject which the Committee was appointed to accom-
plish would have been forwarded by the introduction
of controversial points. It was thought desirable
not to appoint any one who v.-as so strongly com-
mitted on particular points.
Sir F. BURDETT entertained the highest opi-
nion of Mr. Humphrey, and thought his omission a
remarkable circumstance. To leave him out of it
was very much like the old story of leaving the chit-
racter of Hamlet out of the representation of the
play of Hamlet.
Mr. BATLEY wits of opinion (us we understood
the Hon. and Learned Gentleman) that the intro-
duction into the Commission of Mr. Humphrey,
which, of course, must have been followed by that
of some one who had taken a different part in the
controversy which that gentleman had commenced,
would have retarded the progress of the Commission.
Mr. BROUGHAM could not concur with the

Right Hon. Gentleman, and with the Hon. and
Learnesl Gentleman who had taken the same course,
that the admission of Mr. Humphrey into the Com-
mission would have rendered necessary the presence
of some one opposed to him in opinion. Mr. HUm-
plirey was a gentleman who was thought by some
persons, not by him (Mr. Brougham), to carry re-
form too far. But those who opposed him said that
reform was not at all necessary. Now, was it. net
better to have on the Commission a person, perhaps,
too anxious for reform, than a person disposed to
check every attempt at reform? The omission of
Mr. Humphrey's name would be injurious, at hold-
ing out to the public that a thorough inquiry was
not the object of the Commission.
Mr. Secretary PEEL explained.
Mr. HUME regretted that a man of Mr. Hum-
phrey's talents and experience had not been included
in the Commission.
The petition was then read, and ordered to be
printed.
Mr. BROUGHAM subsequently presented peti-
tions from the Mayor, Jurats, and Freemen of Win-
chelsea, against the Ale Licenses Bill ; from the in-
habitants of Kendal, praying for the establishment
of a Rate of Wages, and the Abolition of Monopoly ;
from the Brewers of the Staffordshire Potteries
against imposing any additional burdens on Retail
Brewers; from the Roman Catholic.. Inhabitants of
Birmingham, in favour of Emancipation; and from
J. Flanagan, praying that the 52d of Geo. 111.
might be extended to Ireland.