Star.
London, England, 1823-02-18 00:00:00

MARTIIAGE ACT.

The Earl of TANK Er.VILLE presented a Poti-
ticn from Sir John Wrottesley, Bart. against the
'Marriage Act. The Noble Earl advcited to the nu-
merous defects in the Bill, and expressed a hope that
the law of marriage would, in the course of this Ses-1
Sion, be rendered clear and satisfactory. Consistent
-and wise legislation, on matrimonial law, would be
one of the greatest boons Parliament could bestow
upon the Public.
Lord ELLENI3OROUGH expressed • his regret
that so much inconvenience should have been felt as
to occasion the Petitions on the table. Persons of
the legal profession, and the Right Rev. Bench, could
alone have been acquainted with many of the imper-
f•ctions of the nwasure, and it was a matter of com-
plaint that no Right Rev. Prelate rose during the
dilea.sion of the Bill to state his objections. He
knew not bow it was possible for any Peer of Parlia-
ment, giving all his attention, to the discharge of
duty to the Public, to do that duty,- if those who had
knowlede would not give the benefit of it. The
Noble Lord could not avoid feeling that the House
had been misled with respect to views and opinions
of some Noble Lords who were supposed to take part
in the discu,si ,n upon the Bill.
Lord STOW ELL said, he did not think persons
of the piolession of the law had been awure of all
Vie inconveniences. Many were not under the colt-
rizance of lawyers, and especially those matters
known to the Ecclesiastical .Bench.—The Petition
Ras read, and laid on the table.

Lord ELLEN BOROUGH expressed 'a wish to un-
derstand whether the Noble and Learned Lord who
spoke last would or would not 'oppose 'the retro.'
spective clause?
Lord STOW ELL was not.ptepared to .pledge him-'
self to follow any specific object. Ile should reserve
himself for the general discussion.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL, under an impression
that the question would undergo discussion, wished
also to reset ye his opinion on that and every topic, un,
ill he knew what the most objectionable clause was.
The LORD CHANCELLOR urged the necessity
for coming to some clear understanding respecting
iicarases. The greatest ignorance and inconvenience
prevailed on that subject.
V-he Archbishop of CANTERBURY said, he was
not disposed to plead guilty to the charge of mislead-
ing the House on the subject matter of the Bill.—
lieltsself and Reverend Brethren had done no such
thing. If they had'not entered so far in the discussion
as the Noble Lord could wish, it was because they
relied upon the vigilance of other Noble Lords. His
Grace had the greatest respect for the conduct of a
Noble Friend who watched over the measure. With
respect to the retrospective clause, he made some ob-
servations upon it at a time when it was received with
satisfaction, he might almost say with enthusiasm.-
114 Grace made acme remarks respecting licenses,
txzt spoke with caution, wishing not to say more on
tlllt occasion than was necessary.
Lord STOWELL then called the attention of the
to the advantage which must wise to the Pub-
lic from a revision of tke Matrimonial Law, and
Moved, That x Committee be appointed to take into
consi:leration the present state of the Law relative to
Marriage, and whether any and what measures were
necessary ; to report thereon to the 1-Fittse."
Lord ELLENBOROUGH felt great pleasure in
*tending the motion of the Noble and Learned Lord.
ilo proceeding could be more satisfactory. It had
always been his opinion that the Law of Marriage
thtield be established with as little inconvenience as
Possible, and in that view he agreed to going into a
committee. Having no legal knowledge himself, he
toold not have ventured to propose an Act consoli-
tht.ting the Laws of Marriage, but he trusted that the
*Won) of the Committee would produce such an
Act. tie Noble Lord again expressed himself de-
limns of hearin whether the Noble arid Learned
Lord, who was -
desirous of consolidation, would resist
the principle of indissolubility of marriage, as iwcog-
aged last Session? Every one must be aware of the
inconvenience likely to result from delay, and there-
fc'm his hope was, that all their Lordships would give
their atielaioa to it in the Committee.
• Lord Fro WELL ob,.erved, that it was important
to take into e,arsidei ation the whole matter of the'
t!‘itrimoitial Law of the country, and he did not feel
that tic could bind himself to adopt any particular
PAM i;e was callcd,to cousider the *hole subject ;