Lord Broughamsaid, that with respect to the two Bills on this subject, the best course would be, to refer them to the consideration of a Committee up stairs. Before that Committee, the Commissioners who had reported on the subject might be, if necessary, examined, and the Committee could then report the Bills to the House, with such Amendments as their examination of the whole matter might appear to them to render necessary.
§ Lord Abingerobserved, that with respect to the remarks he had made on Friday, he wished to state, that on that day he had, for the first time, learned anything of the matter. The noble and learned Lord had then truly told them, 978 that the subject had been fully considered by some very learned persons. For those learned persons he had the greatest respect; but still he could not consent to such alterations in the ancient usages of the people on the subject of wills, as to consent to the Bills without their being fully considered. The learned persons who drew the Bill, had not thought fit to explain their reasons to the House; there was no preamble to the Bill stating the object in view, and the reasons for it; but the Bill began at once with the enactment, so that it appeared to him to be a specimen of the rule, "stet pro ratione voluntas." Since Friday last, he had carefully considered the provisions of both Bills; some he approved—some he doubted—some he could not understand. He, therefore, fully agreed with the proposition to send the Bills before a Committee.
Lord Broughammoved, that they be respectively read a second time, and referred to a Select Committee.
§ Motion agreed to, and Committee named.