is, of disappointed ambition. He is re-three of his progeny. This Chancellor membered chiefly in our history as the knew little enough of the law, but he had judge who presided at the judicial murder the true qualifications for worldly success of the gentle Surrey,' and who with his To change his religion four or five timesown hands tightened the rack at the tortur- conduct the trials of Papists under a Proting of the young and beautiful martyr, estant government, of Protestants under a Anne Askew. Except that he was steady Papist one, and so on toties quoties--to to his popery, it is impossible to discover serve one sovereign against whom he had any respectable circumstance in his career. committed treason, and two whom he had But his line ended after three generations bastardized-all these things were trifles to in an heiress-Rachel Wriothesley, the the patriarch of the Marquesses of Winadmirable wife of William Lord Russell; chester and Dukes of Bolton. 'He was,' and, of course, Lord Campbell must needs says Lord Campbell, with his usual tersecontrive to wind up even this savage intri- ness of summary, of a cheerful temper, guer's history with a sentence that would pleasing manners, moderate abilities, and fain be civil:— respectable acquirements. Exciting no envy or jealousy, he had every one's good word, and accommodating himself to the humors of all, all were disposed to befriend him.'-Sic itur ad astra.

"The present Bedford family thus represent Lord Chancellor Wriothesley, resembling him in sincerity and steadiness of purpose, but happily distinguished for mildness and liberality, instead of sternness and bigotry.'-vol. i. p. 652.

the Court of Augmentations-which post enabled him to secure Church plunder sufficient for the endowment of two coronets— which plunder made him a good Protestant

The next was Richard Rich, son of a mercer in the city, remarkable in early life only as a dicer and gamester,' and never We are now advancing in the Grandeur suspected of severe study or profound atof the Law.' The next Chancellor was tainments of any sort, but an artful barrisWilliam Paulet, heir of an ancient knight- ter, audacious flatterer, and convenient tool. ly family in Somersetshire, a favorite in He was Solicitor-General at the trials of the household of Henry VII., and then of More and Fisher, and his treachery and Henry VIII., who made him Chancellor, perjury then volunteered, prccured him the Lord St. John of Basing, and a knight of wealthy sinecure of Chirographer to the the Garter a favorite and partisan of Common Pleas. Then we have him SpeakSomerset's, who made him Earl of Wilt-er of the House of Commons-then Payshire-then a partaker in Dudley's plans master of the Army-then Chancellor of for the overthrow of Somerset, and the presiding judge at Somerset's trial, for which service Dudley made him Marquess of Winchester-then active in the cause of Lady Jane Grey, but the first to leave her and kept him one, except during Mary's party-forgiven accordingly, and made Lord High Treasurer by Queen Maryduring whose whole reign he held that office and then the humble slave of Burleigh, continued as Treasurer by Elizabeth till his death in 1572. Sir James Mackintosh, when speaking of the versatile politicians who had the art and fortune to slide unhurt through all the shocks of forty years in a revolutionary age, says, 'the Marquess of Winchester, who had served Henry VII., and retained office under every intermediate government till he died We have now another series of clerical in his ninety-seventh year with the staff of Chancellors-and first, Thomas Goodrick Lord Treasurer in his hands, is perhaps seated on the woolsack by Dudley (Dethe most remarkable specimen of this spe- cember, 1551), because there was no lawcies preserved in history.' He expired se- yer in whom he could place entire confirenely, smilingly congratulating himself dence; and he had projects to which a lawthat he had been a willow, not an oak,' yer with any remaining scruples must oband was consigned to a magnificent tomb, ject.' Goodrick had been employed in rewith the attendance of one hundred and [vising the translation of the New Testament,

short reign-ultimately Lord Rich and Chancellor of England. His eldest son was created Earl of Warwick-his second, Earl of Holland. One of his descendants built Holland House, so famed as the scene of political intrigue in the days of Charles I., as the residence of Addison's wife, the Countess Dowager of Warwick, and since as the centre of intellectual and refined society under the family of Fox.' (vol. ii. p. 27.) The family of Rich is now extinct in all its branches.

and in compiling the Liturgy of Edward Chancellor, and believing that he afterwards VI., and had been rewarded for these ser- acted from conscientious motives, was in the vices by the mitre of Ely. His reputation as frequent habit of visiting him in his retreat, a Protestant divine would, as Dudley had and, with a certain hankering after the old re ligion, she probably, in her heart, honored him rightly conjectured, render him an excel- more than she did Archbishop Parker, whom lent keeper of the royal conscience, when a she found living splendidly at Lambeth, with warrant was to be extorted from young Ed- a lady whom she would neither call his "misward for the execution of his uncle Somer- tress" nor his "wife." Heath survived till the set. The Bishop therefore became Chan- year 1556, when he died deeply lamented by cellor. He acted as Chancellor also to La- his friends, and with the character of a good, if not of a great man. dy Jane Grey-but resigned the Seal with 'Great reproach was brought upon the two such alacrity to Queen Mary, the moment Chancellors, Gardyner and Heath, for the fuJane's cause was desperate, and also re- rious religious persecution which they prompt canted his Protestantism with such exem-ed or sanctioned; but the former gained much plary readiness, that he was pardoned and popularity by his resistance to the Queen's continued in his See. Dying before Eliza- matrimonial alliance with Philip of Spain, and beth's accession, he died also of course in the latter was respected for the general moderation of his character and his personal disinterestedness. They issued writs under the Great Seal, for the election of representatives to the House of Commons to fourteen new places (generally very small towns) which had not before sent members to Parliament,-imitating the conduct of Edward's Chancellors, who, to strengthen the Reformation, had enfranchised no fewer than twenty-two similar boroughs. None of their judicial decisions have been handed down to us.'-vol. ii. p. 86.

the communion of Rome.

We need not dwell on Lord Campbell's next subject for he was a great man, and though it is strange enough that we have never had a separate biography of him, the principal events in his life are part and parcel of the History of England. Lord Campbell gives in full detail the procedure in Parliament, arranged and conducted by Lord Chancellor Stephen Gardyner, Bishop of Winchester, when the English government and nation were to be formally reunited to the Roman church. This precedent, he observes, will probably be studied by those who at the present time wish to bring about a similar reconciliation.' It is a very curious procedure.

We must quote here a note which may perhaps edify some of the legal personages destined to figure at her Majesty's next Fancy Ball:

much of their attention to the regulation of 'During Mary's reign the lawyers devoted their own dress and personal appearance. To Gardyner was succeeded as Chancellor by check the grievance of "long beards," an orHeath, Archbishop of York, whose earlier der was issued by the Inner Temple that no life is not without its inconsistencies, and fellow of that house should wear his beard who persevered in Gardyner's Smithfield above three weeks' growth on pain of forfeitpolicy, but whose memory is redeemed by his none of that society should wear great breeching 20s." The Middle Temple enacted "that honorable conduct at and after the death of es in their hose made after the Dutch, Spanhis patroness Mary. Elizabeth would wil-ish, or Almain fashion, or lawn upon their lingly have continued him both as Chancel- caps, or cut doublets, under a penalty of 3s. lor and as Archbishop, if he would have gone 4d., and expulsion for the second offence." In into her and Cecil's plans for the revival of 3 and 4 P. and M. it was ordained by all the four the reformed religion. But Heath was stead-Inns of Court, "that none except knights and

fast.

Sir Nicholas Bacon was made Lord Keeper and refusing, in his place of Parliament, to take the oath of Supremacy, the Archbishop was deprived forthwith of his See.

benchers should wear in their doublets or hose any light colors, save scarlet and crimson, nor wear any upper velvet cap, or any scarf or wings in their gowns, white jerkins, busking, or velvet shoes, double cuffs in their shirts, feathers or ribbons in their caps, and that none should wear their study gowns in the city any farther than Fleet Bridge or Holborn Bridge, nor, while in Commons, wear Spanish cloaks, sword and buckler, or rapier, or gowns and hats, or gowns girded with a dagger on the

back.'-Ibid.

'He retired to a small property of his own at Cobham, in Surrey, where he devoted the rest of his days to study and devotion. He was here compared to Abiathar, sent home by Solomon to his own field, and he was said to have found himself happier than he had ever been during his highest elevation. Queen We avoid Sir Nicholas Bacon, as the Elizabeth herself, remembering how promptly great father of a greater son' is well known he had recognized her title when he was Lord to all. Nor do we find any novelties to

The great Chancellor is thus summed up ::

tempt us in the sketch of his successor the points that had been raised for his deciBromley, who is sufficiently damned to all sion,-but within a short time spontaneously ages by his proceedings at the trial of the giving judgment in a manner to show that he Queen of Scots. The sudden rise and was complete master of the case, and never aggravating the anguish of the losing party brief Chancellorship of the dancing' Sir by the belief that if the Judge had taken more Christopher Hatton are most amusingly pains the result would have been different. told-we cannot add without scandal against Queen Elizabeth ;—on the contrary, Lord Campbell takes pains to prove that the arrangements of the royal apartments within four and twenty hours after the leader of the brawl first attracted her notice in Gray's Inn Hall, were about as suspicious as those of his own Queen Caroline and her friend Bergami at Naples; but all this and the Keepership of Puckering also we must pass over.

'Considering the times in which Lord Ellesmere lived, and comparing him with his contemporaries who reached high office, we are bound greatly to respect his memory. Neither he nor any other mortal man could deserve the panegyric upon him by a contemporary historian who knew him well, "Nihil in vita nisi laudandum aut fecit, aut dixit, aut The next that ascended the marble chair sensit;" but in thought, word, and deed, his might well detain us; but we have given errors were venial. We may pardon his enmity to Sir Edward Coke, who had tried to so much space to the mummies' that we cover him with disgrace when he was supposcan afford little to the immortals. Lord ed to be upon his death-bed. With all his Campbell has done the life of the illus-other rivals and political opponents he seems trious Ellesmere in a manner worthy of to have lived on terms of courtesy if not of such a subject-traced the long, arduous, kindness. He never betrayed a friend. dignified career with diligent research and 'As a politician he always stood up for the recorded it with clearness and elegance-extension of the prerogative, and his doctrines were often inconsistent with our notions of a the theme, as well it might, evidently tempt-free constitution; but we must remember that ing him to unusual care, and inspiring a more than common warmth as well as grace of expression. In one paragraph Lord Campbell seems to invite a commentary-but we beg to be excused.

precedents might then be cited for almost every exercise of arbitrary power; and the great patriot Sir Edward Coke, with other eminent men as late as the Revolution of 1688, laid it down for law, that an Act of Parliament to abolish the dispensing power would be inoperative, as the King could first dispense with the abolishing act, and then with the pen

'From the beginning he afforded the example of a consummate judge. He was not only courteous in his manner, but quiet, pa-alty to be dispensed with. While Lord Ellesmere was Chancellor the tient, and attentive-waiting to be instructed as to the facts and law of the case by the few state prosecutions which were instituted counsel who had been studying them-never took a milder and more regular form; and if interrupting to show quickness of perception, the Somersets were improperly pardoned, he or to anticipate authorities likely to be cited, was not accessory, like many of his predecesor to blurt out a jest-yet venturing to put a sors, to the unjust shedding of noble blood. question for the right understanding of the 'His great natural abilities had been assidpoints to be decided, and gently checking wan-uously cultivated, and he was one of the best dering and prolixity by a look or a hint. He public speakers who had yet appeared in listened with undivided attention to the evi- England. His apprehension was keen and dence, and did not prepare a speech in parlia-ready, his judgment deep and sound, and his "He was a ment or write letters to his correspondents un-elocution elegant and easy. der pretence of taking notes of the arguments grave and great orator, and best when he was addressed to him. Nor did he affect the repu- provoked." tation of great despatch by deciding before he 'As an Equity Judge he gained more aphad heard both parties, or by referring facts plause than any one who had sat before him and law to the Master which it was his own in the marble chair. With a knowledge of duty to ascertain and determine. When the law equal to Edward III.'s lay Chancellors, case admitted of no reasonable doubt, he dis-Parnyng and Knyvet, so highly eulogized by posed of it as soon as the hearing was finish- Lord Coke, he was much more familiar with ed. Otherwise, he carried home the papers the principles of general jurisprudence. Not with him-not throwing them aside to moul- less noted for dispatch and purity than Sir der in a trunk, till, driven by the importunity Thomas More, he was much better acquaintof counsel asking for judgment, he again look-ed with the law of real property, as well as ed at them, long after the arguments he had the practice of the court in which he had long heard were entirely forgotten and he could practised as an advocate; and exhibiting all scarcely make out from his "breviate book" the patience and suavity of Sir Nicholas Ba

afterwards attained the highest honors in the church and state.

con, he possessed more quickness of perception and a more vigorous grasp of intellect. Many ecclesiastical holders of the Great Seal 'In making Judges (a most important part were to be admired as statesmen and scholars, of the duty of a Lord Chancellor, for by a bad but none had been competent, without assist- judicial appointment no one can calculate the ance, satisfactorily to preside in the judgment-aggregate amount of evil inflicted on the community) Ellesmere deserves particular credit.

seat.

'Ellesmere, while in his vigor, had himself His anxiety on this subject appears from a disposed of the whole business of the Court letter he wrote on the accession of King of Chancery. In his declining years he re- James, recommending a new call of Serjeants, quired assistance; but to the last, every case "consideringe that moost of the Judges are of magnitude he heard and decided in person. aged, and the Serjeantes at Lawe now servDuring the whole of his time, there seems to inge at the barre not so sufficyent to supplye have been an entire cessation of all impeach- judiciall places as were to be wyshed (ne quid ment of the Court of Chancery either for de- dicam durius ;)"-a state of that venerable lay or corruption; and the only complaint Court very different from what we have against him that he exceeded his jurisdiction, constantly seen in our time, when it, by a new was decided in his favor. gunpowder plot exploding at the Chancellor's 'He was very solicitous for the honor of the levee the first day of term, all the Judges bar, which then seems to have had members should suddenly be swept off,-the benches of much given to lying, quarrelling, making the different Courts in Westminster Hall might fraudulent bargains with their clients, and, well be replenished from the order of the coif. when it suited their purpose, to insulting the 'His great church patronage, likewise, he Judge. During the hearing of the case of dispensed with a single view to the public Ranolph Crew, 9 Jac. I., according to an accu- weal. "Livings," said he, "rather want rate reporter, "Le Seignior Chancellor dit, learned men than learned men livings, many Benedictus Dominus Deus justitiæ! et il ex-in the Universities pining for want of places. hort les Lawyers destre veriloqui, pacidici, et nemy de pticipater en le benefit dascun suit; ut gratiose se gerant et Judici in judicio ne prejudicent."

The practice of the King interfering with suits by writs of Privy Seal, under pretence that one of the suitors was in the royal service, still continued; but there is no reason to suppose that Ellesmere was influenced by these beyond granting delay,-and all members of parliament were considered entitled to the like privilege.

'When any cause was depending before him in which a Peer was concerned, he gave him notice, by a missive under his hand, of the time appointed for hearing it; but he never was suspected of unduly leaning in favor of the aristocratic party-any more than of seeking vulgar praise by becoming counsel for the poor; and he had the rare good fortune to be, at the same time, the favorite of the Court and of the people.

I wish, therefore, some may have single coats before others have doublets; and this method I have observed in bestowing the King's benefices."

'He was a remarkably handsome and athletic man, and in his youth was much addicted to the sports of the field. He retained his personal beauty in his old age, insomuch that many went to the Court of Chancery to gaze at him; " and happy were they," says the facetious Fuller, "who had no other business there!"

Although he always lived in a style suita ble to his station, he left entirely of his own conquest landed estates to the value of 80001. a year-equal to the wealth of the high hereditary nobility of that time.

"The Grandeur of the Law" shows that many distinguished noble houses owe their origin to Westminster Hall; but I do not recollect any instance of the family of a lawyer who had raised himself from obscurity* 'Ellesmere is particularly to be commended being so soon associated with the old aristocfor the exercise of his patronage. Unlike racy, or rising so rapidly to the highest rank Cecil the father, and Cecil the son, to whom in the peerage. John, the eldest surviving it is imputed by Bacon, their kinsman, that after his father's death, was married to a son, being created Earl of Bridgewater, soon out of jealousy they wished to depress all ri-daughter of the Earl of Derby; and being sing men of merit, he was eager to befriend Lord President of the Principality and Marchand bring forward all who were likely to be es of Wales, and Lord-Lieutenant of the able to serve their country with credit and ad- counties of Salop, Hereford, Gloucester, Monvantage. He strongly supported Bacon's mouth, Glamorgan, Caermarthen, Pembroke, claims to the offices of Solicitor and Attorney Cardigan, Flint, Caernarvon, Anglesea, MerGeneral; and recommended him as his suc- ioneth, Radnor, Brecknock, Montgomery, and cessor. As another example, I may mention that having heard Williams, afterwards Lord Bishop of Lincoln and Lord Keeper, when a tutor at Cambridge, preach a sermon which displayed great talent,-although a stranger to him, he made him his chaplain, and advanced him in the King's service, so that he

Lord Ellesmere was a natural son of a gentleman of very ancient family and large estates in Cheshire. The present male representative of that old house of Egerton is Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton, Bart.

The Irish peerage would afford a crop in full proportion at least. The Scotch a much scantier one. The highest success at the Edinburgh bar has proved a steppingstone to but one coronet since the union of the kingdoms, viz., the British viscounty of Melville. We rather wonder that we have never heard any complaint on the subject.

We are not sorry that we can give place to but the opening of Lord Campbell's

'Life of Lord Bacon:'