2 JULY 1870, Page 2

Nothing is left untouched in the Bill except Mr. Bright's

clauses, and every change made has been in the interest of the landlord and against the tenant. It is impossible that the Com- mons should suffer their work to be mutilated in this way by a House in which, as Lord Granville said, "the Government is powerless," and in which the nation is entirely unrepresented. There is a locus penitentix on Tuesday, when the report comes up ; but if the amendments remain, there will be another struggle be- tween the Houses. If the Lords yield, well—they will only have obstructed business ; but if they do not—and they are led by very determined men—there will be nothing for it but a new Session, a swift passage of the original Bill, and a heavy creation of Peers. We should not regret to see Mr. Gladstone forced to this annoy- ing alternative, for it must come sooner or later. The machine cannot go on for ever with the draft horse pulling one way and the thoroughbred the other. The waste of power in the working beast is becoming too great for endurance. •