The debate on the Irish Land Bill was commenced by
Lord Granville on Tuesday with a somewhat bare exposition of the attempts made at previous legislation, and the objects of the pre- sent measure. The Duke of Richmond, who spoke next, made a speech of considerable ability and great moderation. The amend- ments which he declared his intention to propose were not very sweeping. Ile wished to strike out the clause allowing a cottage to every 25 acres of land. He wished to lower the length of lease which would exempt the landlord from the operation of the Bill, from thirty-one to twenty-one years. He wished to fix a time after the lapse of which no compensation for tenant's im- provements should be made. The landlord and tenant should have the power of settling matters without going into court. No hold- ing should be assigned to an insolvent person. And the awards made by the Judge of the Civil Bill Courts should have upon the face of them the particulars he has decided. He wished to throw out the clause limiting distress for rent to persons who had con- tracted to allow it. Moreover, the Duke, who had evidently got up his subject very carefully, was not only exceedingly moderate, but at times very nearly lively.
