7 MAY 1881, Page 2

On Thursday the chief speakers were Mr. O'Connor Power,. Lord

Edmund Fitzmaurice, and Lord John Manners, of whom the two last did not add very much to the intellectual strength of the debate. Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice, indeed, made a speech of some ability, neither against the Bill nor for it, from the hesitating landlord's point of view ; but when he threatened Ireland with the secession of the landlords, he hardly used an argument which would carry weight with those who know most. of the history of the Lansdowne estates. Mr. O'Connor Power was courageous enough to promise the Bill his support, in spite. of Mr. Parnell's decree that the Irish party was not to vote on the second reading, and his ably reasoned suggestions of improve- ments in the Bill made a profound impression on the House.