Madam,

On Tuesday, June 13th, of last session, Lord Chancellor Cranworth brought forward a measure for the reform of the Marriage laws of England; which measure was afterwards withdrawn. In March, 1855, in this present session, the Solicitor General stated, that a bill on the same subject was “nearly prepared,” and would be brought forward “immediately after the Easter recess.” On May 10th, being pressed to name a time, he stated that it would be proposed “as soon as the House had expressed an opinion on the Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill.” That time has not arrived: and meanwhile,—as one who has grievously suffered, and is still suffering, under the present imperfect state of the law,—I address your Majesty on the subject.

I do not do so in the way of appeal. The vague romance of “carrying my wrongs to the foot of the throne,” forms no part of my intention: for I know the throne is powerless to redress them. I know those pleasant tales of an earlier and simpler time, when oppressed subjects travelled to the presence of some glorious prince or princess, who instantly set their affairs to rights without reference to law, are quaint old histories, or fairy fables, fit only for the amusement of children.