"Pray tell me, then, what you want the court to do for you?" reiterated his lordship.

to be after bidding me sit down, I must | Lord Brougham had taken his seat. Gotell your worship that it's myself don't like ing over to the reporter for one of the that same at all at all. I desarve better evening papers, he inquired whether he treatment for my service," said the poor knew the reporther for the Morning fellow. The other answered in the affirmative. "Well, then, would you be after telling him from me, that he is a great blockhead? He has made me say Mr. Thomas Moore "Och, if it's to be for me, your honour for Sir Thomas More. Sure, everybody manes, I'll soon be after telling it you. I knows that little Tommy the poet never want your lordship to institute proceed- sate on that sait," pointing to the Lord ings against Lord Grey and Lord Althorp Chancellor's seat. and some others of his Majesty's government."

"On what grounds?" inquired his lordship.

"Was it the grounds your honour would like to know? Och, sure the grounds are as good as can be-for refusing to answer my letters, your worship."

"That is a matter in which I cannot interfere. I cannot compel these noblemen to be prompt or punctual in answering their correspondents," said Lord Brougham. "Ah! but by the powers, it's your honour that can do that same if you likes." Lord Brougham, who evidently did not perceive until now that the unfortunate man was labouring under an aberration of intellect, inquired, speaking in a more subdued and conciliatory tone, what was the nature of the letters he had sent to Lords Grey and Althorp, &c.

"Your honour, they were about nothing else than that same cure for the cholera which I have discovered."

"O, you're a doctor, are you?”

"Faith, and whose business is that, whether I am or not, your honour? It's myself that was nine weeks in Tipperary without being in bed at all at all, during the cholera. I was all this time attending to the sick, your lordship; and I want government to give me remuneration for my humanity and public sarvice, especially as I have discovered an infallible cure for that same disease."

"O you have a very strong claim on government undoubtedly; I'll take care to make them answer your letters," said his lordship, deeming that the best way of getting rid of the unfortunate man.

Long life to your honour! may you long live to sit in the sait of Thomas More!" shouted the poor fellow, in tones which resounded through the court; and then, making a low bow to his lordship, he retired.

On the following day a report of the scene was given in the Morning and Morning The reporter for the first journal represented the unhappy man as having said the seat of Mr. Thomas Moore: the other reporter put it, "Sir Thomas More," but gave in italics, according to his Irish accent, the word seat as "sait." Having seen the report of the affair in the two papers in question, the maniac immediately hurried down to the court, and arrived a few minutes before 32

VOL. III.

"Every one knows that, said the reporter. "And is it yourself that knows the reporther for the Morning

The other answered in the affirmative. "O? then the spalpeen has insulted myself, and radiculed my country." "He ought not to have done that," said the reporter,

But, faith, and he has done that same, though, by making me say 'sait,' in italics."

"That was very improper."

"Do you know the fellow ?"

The reporter answered in the affirmative.

"Is he respectable ?"

"He is quite respectable."

"Is he a gentleman ?"

"He is a gentleman, both by education and manners."

"Then will you do me the favour to hand him this?" giving the reporter his card to transfer to the reporter for the Morning

"You understand the thing-do you?" "Perfectly so."

66

you

Perhaps you'll be his friend; if so,

"

"I am his friend," said the reporter, interrupting the insane man.

I

"But I mane at the duel; in which case should like the affair to be proceeded with as soon as possible."

The reporter not being accustomed to affairs of honour, now for the first time, discovered the object for which the card of the poor fellow was given him, and discovering that his intellects were disordered-a fact of which he was, until now, ignorant, not having seen a paper that morning, nor been in court the previous day-he conciliated him by promising that his wishes should be strictly attended to.

At this moment Lord Brougham made his appearance in court, on which the lunatic observed,-" O, I won't trouble your honour at this time: I'm only settling a small matter with the reporthers," and, bidding his lordship good morning, he quitted the court.

Lord Brougham never was a favourite with the ladies. And this is not to be wondered at; for, of all the public men I know, he has the least gallantry. I recollect one day, a short time before his retirement from the office of Lord Chancellor,

Lord Brougham, after a temporary absence from public life, caused by serious indisposition, has again made his appearance in the House of Peers, where he takes as active a part in politics as ever. I am sure that, however much some men may differ from his lordship in political feeling or opinion, or whatever may be their impressions as to his conduct as a statesman, every one will rejoice at his restoration to health. He now looks as well as ever, and at no former period did he enjoy better health, or appear to possess better spirits.

Lord LYNDHURST having succeeded Lord Brougham in the Court of Chancery, comes next to be considered as a judge. Though classed at present among the "late" judges, there is a strong probability that, amidst the ever-recurring changes which are now taking place in the political world, he will have to be numbered among the "present" judges before many months have elapsed.

that a remarkably interesting and very the matter the ground of a personal quarpretty young lady had been in attendance, rel with his lordship. from a little after the court opened in the morning, till nearly three o'clock. She often cast a wistful look towards his lordship, as if she had something she wished to say to himself; bnt the same case having lasted all that time, no opportunity presented itself of making any communication to him. The counsel, as they passed in and out of the court, bestowed many a glance on the unknown beauty; and even Sir Charles Wetherell himself, relaxed in the rigidity of his features as he stole a look at her pleasant and handsome countenance. On the case before the court terminating, she ventured in with a trembling step and a palpitating heart, over to the place where the attorneys sit, and thence endeavoured to reach a paper she held in her hand to his lordship. "What's this?" said he, with all that tartness of manner for which he is distinguished, and without deigning to take the paper from her. "It's a petition, my lord, to your lordship," said the young lady, in a faint and faltering voice, her countenance deeply colouring. "Give it to my secretary-give it to my secretary," said he, in still harsher tones, shaking his hand as if there had been pollution in the touch. The poor young creature seemed as if she could have dropped on the floor. The secretary took the paper from her, and she quitted the court. All the bar, as well as the strangers in the court, though lawyers' hearts are not in general remarkable for their softness, felt deeply for the situation of the young lady; and that feeling was strongly expressed in several of their countenances. I have often before seen Sir Charles Wetherell look sulky, but this was the first time I ever saw him look absolutely savage. Neither Lord Eldon nor Lord Lyndhurst would have acted, for worlds, in the same way to so modest and interesting a young lady. And here I must observe, though myself tinctured with Liberalism, that the Liberals cannot stand a moment's comparison with the Tories, either for politeness to their fellowmen or for gallantry to the fair sex. I am confident that all the knight-errants of old must have been staunch Tories, though I by no means intend to say they were acquainted with the term. No Liberal will ever stir a foot to avenge the slights offered to the sex. Had Lord Brougham lived in the days of chivalry, and there had been no judicial protection thrown around him, he would have had to answer in single combat for such ungallant conduct, the moment he quitted the court. A score of chivalrous men would have contested with each other who should have the honour of resenting the outrage offered to the sex. As it was, if there be any truth in the science of physiognomy, Sir Charles Wetherell, "braceless" though he always is, felt as if he could have wished to make

Lord Lyndhurst, as I have mentioned in my "Random Recollections of the House of Lords," is an American by birth, but came over to this country at a very early age with his father, Mr. Copley, who was a portrait painter. He soon afterwards applied himself to the study of divinity, with the view of taking holy orders; but after several years' preparation for the pulpit, he turned his attention to the bar. Mr. Copley entered the Temple in the year 1794. For some time after being called to the bar, his prospects were not bright; but they gradually became better and better as opportunities were afforded him of displaying his talents. His business, in the course of some years, though by no means extensive, was sufficiently lucrative to enable him to maintain that position in society to which both his talents and profession justified him in aspiring. In 1816, he was appointed to the office of Solicitor General. His knighthood accompanied his elevation. Among the earliest duties Sir John Copley was called to perform as Solicitor General, was that of supporting the prosecution of the late Queen Caroline, it having been instituted by the government of which he was a member. He had before this time acquired for himself a distinguished reputation at the bar; but now his talents appeared to much greater advantage than they had yet done. The extent and accuracy of his legal knowledge-the ingenuity he evinced in bringing forward every thing he thought calculated to prejudice the case of the queen-and his acuteness in replying to the counsel on the opposite side, were the admiration of every one, both within and without the walls of Parliament.

As an advocate, Mr. Copley was always admired by his brethren at the bar for the

never had recourse to declamation when practising at the bar. He trusted, for his success, to the qualities I have mentioned: and the event showed that he formed an accurate judgment as to where his strength lay. He never raised his voice to a high pitch: he never practised theatrical gesticulation; nor had recourse to any claptrap expedients. He did not, in other words, according to the sense in which the term is generally used, play the actor. That he left to others, who did not possess his distinguished intellectual or legal resources.

The Tories saw that a man of Mr. Copley's talents must be an invaluable acquisition to any party; and, therefore, Lord Liverpool, then at the head of the administration, procured his return to Parliament for some nomination borough. This was in 1819. In the House of Commons, he also distinguished himself; and thus showed that Lord Liverpool's opinion of the service he could render to the government was not unfounded.

soundness of his views on all questions of civil jurisprudence, and for the remarkable clearness and conciseness with which he, on all occasions, however intricate the subject, expressed himself. The faculty of putting his client's case in the plainest possible light, was perhaps his chief excellency as a barrister. No judge or jury could ever complain of not understanding him. The most common capacity might have followed him with ease from the commencement to the close of his speech. If his client had law or justice on his side, it was impossible that his case could be put in a clearer light than that in which Mr. Copley was sure to put it. If the opposite party had the law or the equity on his side, then Mr. Copley's great object was to throw a veil over the points which were most favourable to the case of the opposing party, and, by that consummate sophistry which makes "the worse appear the better reason," whitewash the darkest features in his own client's case. Nature intended Mr. Copley for a lawyer; for of all the men that I have seen at the English or at any other bar, he was the most dexterous and most successful sophist I ever heard address a judge or a jury. His matter was at all times specious in the highest degree; and this speciousness of his matter was made to tell with double effect from the extreme plausibility of his manner. A perpetual smile played on his countenance while he gazed on the faces of the court or the jury; and there was something so winning in the tones of his voice, that he must have been a man possessing a remarkably lively perception of the real facts of a case, of a vigorous intellect, and of a great energy of character, who was not carried away by Mr. Copley's address. His diction was always smooth, yet forcible: he never interred his arguments amidst a load of verbiage. Nothing could be more simple, yet nothing more correct than his language. Every word was in its proper place: and sentence succeeded sentence without any apparent effort. His manner and language could not have been more unpretending, had he been addressing himself to a number of children. His voice was clear and pleasant in its tones. His articulation was always distinct, though sometimes, from his uncommon facility at extemporaneous composition, coupled with zeal for his client, his utterance was somewhat rapid. Sir Egerton Brydges mentions, either in his printed Autobiography or in some part of one of his unpublished manuscripts which was lately in my possession, that this was the only fault he could discover in Mr. Copley, as an advocate. Sir Egerton happened to hear him in some of his earliest forensic efforts, and then confidently predicted in his own mind, if indeed he As a judge, Lord Lyndhurst has given did not mention it to some of his friends, the greatest satisfaction. Those who that he would eventually attain to the high- knew him well expected great things from est honours of his profession. Mr. Copley him in the administration of justice.

I have already intimated that, great as was Mr. Copley's reputation at the English bar before his appointment to the office of Solicitor General, it became still greater after that appointment had taken place. In 1823, he was made Attorney General. He had not filled the latter office two years before it was pretty generally understood by the bar that his elevation to the bench was all but a moral certainty; and that, too, at no distant period. In 1826, he was raised to the dignity of Master of the Rolls. Nor did his promotion long rest there. In 1829, he was raised to the very highest station a subject can fill: on the resignation of the great seal by Lord Eldon in that year, Sir John was made Lord Chancellor, and raised to the dignity of a peer of the realm, under the title of Baron Lyndhurst. He did not, however, long retain the seals. The dissolution of the Tory government in 1830 ejected him, as a matter of course, from the Woolsack and the Court of Chancery. He was obliged to retire on a pension of 4000l. a year. Finding this sum insufficient to meet the expenses incurred by the appearance he was obliged to keep up. in society, he applied to Earl Grey, in 1831, for the situation of Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer. The noble earl complied with his wishes, and he was appointed to the situation with a salary of 70001. On the restoration of his party to power in the winter of 1834, Lord Lyndhurst was replaced on the Woolsack and in the Court of Chancery; but his retention of these situations was not of long duration. He was obliged to quit both on the dissolution of Sir Robert Peel's government in April, 1835.

They have not been disappointed: their the most eminent of the long-robed genmost ssnguine expectations, on the 'con- tlemen pitted against him, his lordship intrary, have been far surpassed. I ques- dulged in various good-natured, familiar tion if ever a better judge presided either jokes in the course of the trial. Several in a court of law or a court of equity. of these jokes were directed against the His knowledge of the law, as before sta- lawyers, and were decidedly excellent. ted, is extensive and correct: and his A very good one was passed at the very judgment is remarkably sound in the ap- commencement of the defendant's speech. plication of that knowledge to the cases Mr. Cleave began by observing, that he which come before him.* He has a quick-was afraid he should, before he sat down, ness of perception almost amounting to give some rather awkward illustrations of intuition, of the real merits of the case un- the truth of the old adage-"That he who der consideration. Though himself so acted as his own counsel, had a fool for dexterous at mystifying others by his his client." "Ah! Mr. Cleave," said his sophistry, when an advocate, no man lordship, in his own peculiarly pleasant could be more expert than he is at detect- manner, "ah! Mr. Cleave; don't you mind ing the sophistry, however fine-spun, of that adage: it was framed by the lawyers." counsel. He keeps his mind, indeed, as steadily fixed on the real points at issue, as if the counsel on either side had never sought to divert his attention from them. He examines the case, in all its bearings, in his own mind, and masters its details, however complicated, with singular facility, and as completely as if the particular case before the court had been the study of his whole life. His summings up are models of composition, and of judicial statements. He presents the whole merits of the case as clearly to the mind's eye of the jury as they appear to his own. There is no possibility of misconceiving his meaning. His decisions as an equity judge, are no less entitled to praise than his administration of justice in the courts of law. They are the admiration of the whole bar.

A great deal of discussion has taken place as to the early political opinions of his lordship. I have access to some peculiar sources of information on the subject, and can state in the most positive terms, that they were of the most liberal kind. Í mention, as presumptive proof of this, what has never, so far as I am aware, before transpired, namely, that on the completion of his studies, he made the tour of a great part of the continent of America, in company with the celebrated Volney. Mr. Copley was at that time an ardent admirer of the politics of the French philosopher; and the latter, in return, was captivated with the distinguished talents of which his youthful companion then gave promise, though only, I believe, in his eighteenth year. But even after Mr. Copley had settled in this country, he was in Lord Lyndhurst has always been a great the habit, for a long time, of attending the favourite with the bar. His exceedingly political meetings got up towards the close bland and courteous manners, coupled of the last century, by the admirers of the with his legal knowledge and masterly ad- French Revolution. At one of these meetministration of justice, could not, indeed, ings, the proceedings of which had been fail to insure him the esteem, in his judi- of a most violent kind, he rose to speak. cial capacity, of all who know him. His and was in the act of pronouncing the urbanity, in fact, was shown towards all words, "Mr. Chairman," when a friend, a who had any business to do in either of barrister, pulled him down to his seat by the courts over which he presided.- the tails of his coat. He again rose, and Though most decided in his political opini- said, "Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen, alons, he never betrayed the slightest symp-low me, in offering myself." Here he tom of political feeling on the bench. He was again interrupted by the same friend treated those whose politics were the very repeating the process of pulling him down antipodes of his, with the same courtesy as those of his own party. In fine, he knew no distinctions either of politics, or rank, or anything else, when he sat on the bench. He regarded all as on precisely the same footing. Mr. Cleave speaks in terms of warm admiration of the urbanity of manner which Lord Lyndhurst showed towards him, when tried a few years since in the Court of Exchequer on a government information. Mr. Cleave, on that occasion, acted as his own counsel, and in order that he might feel as much at his ease as could be expected, with a host of

I am here speaking of Lord Lyndhurst, for the reason I have already mentioned, as if he were at this moment presiding in one of our courts.

to his seat by the same means as before. He had got on his legs a third time, on which his friend gave him another forcible "tit." The youthful aspiring Liberal turned about, and was in the act of darting some most savage glances at his friend, as if he had meant to prepare him for a vigorous blow, should he again prevent his speaking; but his countenance assumed a milder expression, on his friend rising up and whispering into his ear, "Copley, what are you about? They have been speaking treason here to-night, and if you take any part in the proceedings, you will be held equally responsible with the rest."

This had the desired effect; Mr. Copley resumed his seat, and did not quit it till he rose to leave the meeting. He thought it

much better to bottle up his eloqueuce on the occasion, than to run the risk of the probable consequences of a government prosecution on a charge of sedition.

But the liberal character of Mr. Copley's politics in the earlier part of his public career, is matter of historical fact. He and Sir Charles, then Mr. Wetherell, were counsel for Watson and others, when tried for high treason in 1818; and his name was toasted at that time by the Radicals in all parts of the country, in conjunction with their most cherished principles. Nay, even the dead walls of London and all the large towns in the kingdom, were placarded with "Copley and Radical Reform."

It is true, that Lord Lyndhurst's politics have for many years past been those of unqualified Toryism. But how many are there who, like him, have begun their public career as Liberals of the first water, and as they advanced in years and experience, have settled down in pure Conservatism? With regard to the circumstances under which his lordship's change in his political opinions has been brought about, it is not for me to say anything. I wish to avoid the expression of all political feeling in these sketches. My object is simply to state facts, and to mix them up with as much amusing matter as I can.

pleasant in it. It has something of a feminine expression. He seems always on good terms, not only with himself, but with everybody and every thing around him. There are always the indications of health in his complexion. His features are small and regular. He looks much younger than he is. He is in his sixty-fifth year. He always wears a brown-coloured wig, when not presiding as judge.

Mr. JUSTICE GASELEE, one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas, has just retired from the bench. My notice of him will be brief. His practice, when at the bar, was never large; neither did he ever raise himself into special notice as a pleader. He was a bad speaker. His manner wanted animation, and his matter was heavy. As a lawyer, he was looked on as a man of respectable attainments. Perhaps his legal knowledge was more correct than extensive. When raised to the bench, he was what the profession call a back-seat man, the meaning of which was, that he had not attained to that rank at the bar which would entitle him to take his place in the front row of benches. He was little known as a judge. He never did anything to distinguish himself from his brethren of the bench. His views were, on the whole, sound, and his decisions gave general satisfaction. There In private life Lord Lyndhurst has per- was a good deal of pomposity in his manformed many generous actions. I will ner, when laying down the law of a case. just mention one instance. A year or two In person, he is slightly above the middle ago, one of the most violent Radicals of size, with a tendency to stoutness. His the present day, addressed a long letter features are strongly marked. His eyes to his lordship, detailing the distressing are large and grey. The advance of years circumstances in which, through ill health, has begun to leave traces on his face, in the infirmities of old age, and the want of the form of wrinkles. He is seemingly even the necessaries of life, he was placed, not far from his seventieth year. A deand soliciting charity. His lordship read fect in his hearing, with the growing inthe letter with attention, and feeling for firmities of old age, were the causes of the painful situation in which the party his determination to close his judicial cawas placed, handed it to his secretary, reer, by resigning his seat on the bench. saying, "Make up a check on my banker's In my next chapter, I shall commence for five pounds, to this poor man." The the present Judges in the Courts of Westsecretary, on looking at the signature, ex-minster. claimed, "My Lord, are you aware who

this man is ?"

"No," said his lordship; "I do not recollect having before seen the name." "Why}. Why, this is the notorious Radical, Gwho has for many years been so grossly and virulently abusing your lordship."

Lord Lyndhurst stretched out his hand for the letter, looked again at the contents for a few seconds, and then observed, addressing himself to his secretary, "O, never mind what he has been in the habit of saying about me; the poor man seems to be in a very distressed condition-get the check ready, and send him the money."

INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT

LAW.

We are happy to find that this important question is, at length, beginning to excite the attention it deserves. That it will now be placed on a right basis seems certain, for the unmixed evils of the present system are such, as can no longer be tolerated in civilised society.

The remarks we have before made on Lord Lyndhurst's personal appearance this subject,* render it unnecessary for us is very prepossessing. He is somewhat here to do more than announce the meaabove the middle size, and possesses a figure of great symmetry. His countenance has something exceedingly soft and

* Vide Metropolitan, Aug. 1836.