The long discussion about marriage with a deceased wife's sister
has, we fancy, ended at last. They are not directly legalised in this country, but on Monday Lord Strathcona carried the second reading of a Bill making such marriages, if celebrated in any Colony, valid throughout the Empire by a majority of 116 to al. The Bishops still resisted, the Archbishop of York being their spokesman ; but the Peers felt that after their recent exhibitions of loyalty the Colonies had a right to have their opinion regarded. Justice has not yet been done in England, but as Colonial opinion weighs more and more, as the laity in England are not opposed to such marriages, and as the prohibition produces practical evils among the poor, a final alteration of the law is ultimately certain. We respect the scruples of the clergy upon the sub- ject, but as they are not supported by common-sense they cannot be allowed to affect legislation. It is nonsense to talk about incest where there is no blood relationship, and the argument from convenience is one for the laity to decide, They say by their representatives in all Christian countries except this that such unions are convenient.
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