The Government has been firm on the Regimental Exchanges Bill,
which has passed the Commons, and is going to be firm on the Artisans Dwellings Bill, which Mr. Cross, in spite of much criticism, especially from Mr. Fawcett, who affirms that the mea- sure is "costly, cumbrous, and complicated," says he is deter- mined to pass. It has, however, given up the vital principle of any Land Transfer Act, making registration permissive, instead of compulsory, and has produced a Tenant-right Bill which will satisfy nobody. The Times, which on this matter represents landlords, evidently thinks it gives too much to the tenants in principle, while the farmers object that, as the right of contract is reserved, it does not give them anything in fact. We have endeavoured to describe the Bill elsewhere, but may men- tion here that it was introduced into the Lords on Friday week by the Duke of Richmond, in one of his most wooden speeches, the drift of which was to soothe proprietors' fears, that the Peers evidently thought the least said soonest mended, and that there is a general impression that the Bill is to be read, talked about, and postponed till next Session. Perhaps, however, the county constituencies may have something to say about that.
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