Mr. Fitzjames Stephen proposes a new scheme for securing Law
Reform. He would have a Legislative Committee of Privy Council appointed, consisting of three persons, independent of party, and of course paid, who should draft bills, which would then be introduced by Government, referred to a select committee, and then passed. The first work of the three would be the Penal Code, which would embody the criminal law of England, "clothed and in its right mind." The Committee would, in fact, perform the duty which the Lord Chancellor and the Law officers profess to perform, and diligently neglect. There can be little doubt that this plan would work, that a Committee composed of Sir H. Maine, Mr. Stephen, and, say, Lord Westbury, would codify the laws ; but we have still some doubt whether their work would ever get through Parliament. Members would shy like frightened horses at enactments with a thousand clauses, and the House -cannot be induced to take anything on trust. If it could, it would pass that Merchant Shipping Code, a specimen of the precise hind of legislation Mr. Stephen wants.
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