29 NOVEMBER 1873, Page 11

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE IRISH LORD CHANCELLOR.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")

Stn,—I am directed by the Lord Chancellor to say that his atten- tion has been called to a paragraph in the Spectator of the 22nd inst., from which he learns that some controversy has arisen as to words alleged to have been spoken by him on a late occasion in the Court of Appeal in Chancery. He desires me to inform you that in any expressions which he uttered on the occasion in question he did not, as seems to have been supposed, in any way suggest or anticipate discussion in Parliament on the matter which had been the subject of observation between him and the Lord Justice of Appeal. His remarks had simply reference to the form of the order in the cause of " Paul v. Gillman," and the necessity for further consideration at another time—by the Court itself, and not outside of it—before a proposed addition to that order could be adopted.

His meaning must have been misunderstood in the confusion attendant on the adjournment of the sitting, but it was strictly such as I have indicated.

Lord O'Hagan desires me to apologise for troubling you with this note on a subject of small importance to the public, but he thinks that as observations grounded on mistake have been made upon it, the truth should be authoritatively stated.—I am, Sir,