§ Earl Greygave notice that he would on Thursday move the second reading of the Freehold Estates Bill. He was very desirous that the noble and learned lord who usually sat on the woolsack should be present at the second reading of this Bill, and he was not without hopes that the noble and learned lord would be able to attend on the day which he had named: but considering that this Bill had twice passed the other House—the first time by a great majority, the second time without any opposition to it—and considering also the advanced period of the session, he could not venture to defer the motion for the second reading beyond Thursday. If the noble and learned lord could not then attend, there would be others to state the objections to the Bill, if any objections could be stated to a measure which appeared to be founded on such clear and undoubted principles of equity and justice.
§ Lord Ellenboroughexpressed his hope that in case the noble and learned lord who usually sat on the woolsack could not attend on Thursday, the noble earl would be induced still farther to postpone the motion, for no man was better acquainted with the law of real property than that noble and learned lord; no man more capable of explaining to their lordships the fundamental change which the passing of this Bill would introduce into the system: but if the noble earl refused to delay it farther, and the noble and learned lord could not attend, then others would 847 doubtless state the reasons why it appeared to them that the Bill ought not to pass into a law. It would be recollected that the noble and learned lord to whom he alluded, had in former sessions stated his objections to the Bill, and their lordships had refused to pass it.