The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-11-08 00:00:00


Sir Evelyn Wood, who was received with loud and
long-continued cheering, said :
Mr. Attorney-General, my Lords, Ladies, and
Gentlemen: Pitt has told us that eloquence lies less
in the speaker than in the persons addressed, and his
words have never been more aptly applied than as
regards myself to-night. There are present here
master minds that have organised the past and will
shape the future; orators who can rival " silver-
tongued- Murray ; " men whose names will be as
familiar to succeeding generations as they are to all
civilization to-day; and in the face of such a session of
13
talent sharpened y attrition with the keenest Intel.
lects, I find it impossible to use words great enough
for the assembly I address, and to express the feelings
with which I receive the signal compliment you pay
to my profession and myself, (Cheers.) Scholars
assert that the English language is the finest in
the world, but strong feeling makes the ordinary
Briton dumb, and had I even knowledge enough to
select at will from the rich storehouse in which time
and many nations have fused the grave harmony of
our tongue, I should be unable to express adequately
my gratitude to you. "Eloquence is the companion
of peace," and the oratory of the camp is of a grim
brevity not favourable to the culture of studied decla-
mation. Curt monosyllables, such as "Yes Sir,"
often herald deeds worthy to inspire Tyrtainis. Ours
is the plain speaking of the elinger and his atone, and
when I have attempted to describe the worth of those
who, before my eyes, have stood so well the test of
difficulty and peril, it has been because I have felt
the bare recital even of their deeds would have
for their countrymen far more interest than any
purposeless words, and because I have felt corn-
pelled to include them n the welcome they had
assisted me to earn. (Cheers.) It is not to be
understood that appreciation of some implies dis-
praise of others; but it is necessary to incur some risk,
I, therefore, would rather run the risk of creating a
few querulous objectors than seem indifferent to the
brilliant qualities of soldiers of all ranks, who, in a
time of extremity, not easy, perhaps, to realize in this
season of relaxed anxiety and re-established confidence,
shone out like beacons whose fierce allurements drew
on our foes to their destruction, while they served to
cheer less steadfast allies to victory. (Cheers.) Gentle-
men, our work is, I trust, done in South Africa.
(Cheers.) It appears to me that the complete success
of my late generous-minded chief in the Gaika
war has never been fully appreciated in England.
(Cheers.) When General '.l.l3esiger, in the first
week of March last year, reached King William's
Town no house a mile outside that frontier capital was
inhabited, but his little force penetratiag the inmost
and densest recesses of the Ausatoola bush, fol-
lowed the enemy with a vigour and persistence which
entailed much fatigue and some loss on our side,
but so effectually quelled the rebellion that by the
first week in June women and children were picnicing
in the woods which three months before had shrouded
aggression and murder. (Cheers.) In Zululand the
enemy were in swarms, fierce in their insatiable thirst
for blood, steadfast in their credulity, and strong in
their admirable though barbarian organization. It has
become the fashion for certain people to speak slight-
ingly of our Zulu foes, May I be allowed to quote
my experience against that of theorists, and to affirm
that these savages, fighting on familiar ground,
leagued with the difficulties of a mountainous and to
us almost unknown oonntry, inspired by intense faith
in the safeguard of their charms and spells, and
furious with that lust of slaughter that causes them
to rip up every living creature that crosses their war-
path, be it man, beast, or bird—these savages, I say,
were worthy foes of British soldiers in all but cruelty ?
(Cheers.) Their innate ferocity was fostered by
Cetywayo for his own ends. Bloodshed was not
only the punishment, but the reward of the
Zulu warrior. Even the gentler passions were
used to increase the despot's power, and no bride-
groom could claim his bride as a right until he had
struck down an enemy. It has been said that
Cetywayo had no desire to make war, I particularly
wish to-night to avoid saying a word which can be
misconstrued into having any political bias; for I
hold that a soldier on full pay should have no politics.
and the especial grace of your compliment to me lies in
the fact that it is not a party reception, but a recogni-
tion that one of your members has done his duty to
your satisfaction. (Cheers.) It would, however, be
scarcely honest if I refrained from telling you what
I myself know of this African tyrant, with the
voice of the lamb and the teeth of the wolf. (Cheers.)
Granted that Cetywayo disputed the ownership of
the thirty miles of oountry I saw last year lying
devastated by his order; still by negotiating he
had undertaken to respect its defenceless homesteads
until the dispute could be settled. In the case of
Luneberg I am the primary witness of his arrogant pro-
vocation. This settlement has never been under Zulu
sway nor was it occupied by Zulus. Yet this time two
years ago Cetywayo sent a large force across the
Pongola river, and caused a military kraal to be
erected three miles inside the boundary of a portion of
our territory, which he had never previously pretended
to claim. In September last year he sent one of his
chiefs, Faku by name, to give the Luneberg settler's
notice to quit on pain of destruction. Faku de-
livered to me Cetywayo's order, his people stating
openly that the two companies of the 90th Regi-
ment I placed at Luneberg to protect the settlers
would be but a mouthful for their master's legions
in the coming feast ; but Faku. seeking an interview
later, and alone, deprecated the King's order, the result
of which he accurately predicted. He added he must
follow his instructions, for having but one head he did
not wish to sacrifice it to his opinions. I listened to
Faku, and advising the settlers he tad no inns-
tion, they, reassured by the British troops,
remained on their farms. (Cheers.) This was the
first check Cetywayo's policy received. Now a
captive, he has avowed the supreme effort of his
power was directed against that small force, later
termed the Flying Column, which for five months
guarded successfully 80 miles of frontier against his
übiquitous hordes. (Cheers.) I do not know, how
Cetywayo's peaceful professions can be reconciled
with his conduct at Lnneburg, but 1 do know it will
be an ill day for England when the meanest home en-
titled to the protection of her flag ceases to be a castle
of the Empire. (Cheers.) The soldier's work in
Zululand is finished; that of the lawgiver is about
to commence. One of your most junior members
opened our country's case at Luaeberg, but we may
now hope the continuous arguments of law and order
will supersede the war cries which thrilled the blo3dy
eloquence of assegais. (Cheers.) Gentlemen, when I
entered your distinguished profession, it was with the
hope I might be of some additional use to my own. A
soldier anxious to do justice cannot be wrong in learn-
ing it at its highest source. (Cheers.) There are cer-
tain offences—notably those committed on active
service—which can be dealt with only by soldiers;
but to deal with them in a judicial spirit, and with
a full knowledge of the value of evidence and the
rights of the accused, it is desirable the officer should
have some of the training which goes to make an
equitable judge. (Cheers,) I would wish to keep the
law of the army in the army; but I would also wish
to import into the tribunals we must hold the excel-
lencies of the law, its patience, its research, its abso-
lute impartiality. Any soldier must be benefitted by
even the most imperfect efforts to temper his victories
by yours, for yours are the triumphs time cannot dim
and which command the applause of ages. (Cheers.)
There have been many instances where our professions
have been combined. If we exclude Odo—and it is
difficult to say whether he rose to the Chief Justice-
ship from his piety as a priest or efficiency as a
soldier, or from his Royal birth—the most remote case
is that of Lord Chief justice Despencer, who fell at
the battle of Lewes. Lord Chancellor Cowper raised
dragoons for William 111., and Lord Erskine, who
began life as a midshipman, later entered the army.
Thus far I have been his humble imitator, but here, I
fear, the parallel will end, though the coincidence re-
mains that he first studied law under Wood and
Buller, both afterwards Judges. (Cheers.) Even lately
the ranks of the Chancellors have been reinforced
from those of fighting men, To this assembly I need
scarcely recall how one of the victors at Copenhagen
eose to the woolsack and left sons distinguished in
each profession, The lawyer-soldiers have nearly
always been on the side of liberty, but Liberty herself
has since become identified with England, and the
wearer of the crown has so happily blended her
majesty with that of the law, and her heart with
those of the people, that all three powers are
likely to remain in irresistible unity. (Cheers.) When
England, threatened with invasion, called for volun-
teers, the "Inns of Court," with Erskine as their
colonel, were the first to respond to the call, It is plea-
sant to reflect that the spirit which animated are f ore-
fathers is not extinct, and that in the "Devil's Own"
we have a corps as ready as it is able to contest all
debatable fields ; and that its smartness and efficiency,
which were remarkable when I first saw the battalion,
under Major Chitty, at Aldershot many years ago,
are never likely to decline while it is directed by the
genius and spirit of that ornament in both his profes-
sions, Colonel Bulwer, Q.C., M.P. (Cheers.) I have
said enough to remind you of our brotherhood of
interests. I myself shall always feel indebted to
Major Blake for having, by careful instruction,
enabled me to join your honourable ranks. He is
himself a striking example of the value of the combi-
nation of acquirements, for his opinion is frequently
sought by the authorities in question where the com-
plex interests of the law and the army have to be ad-
justed. Thanks to him, I hope to make the know-
ledge gained with you serviceable with soldiers, while
you in honouring a soldier as you have done to-
night have complimented the army in the person of
one very grateful barrister. (Loud cheers,)
Mr. 0 verend, Q,C,, proposed "The Judges," a
toast which was drunk with loud applause.
The Lord Chancellor, who on rising was very
warmly cheered, said,—l desire on behalf of the
judicial Bench to express the pleasure which we who
have grewn eld in the law experience in witnessing the
career of one who, in the time of peace has shown his
appreciation of our profession by becoming a member
of it—(cheers).—and who in time of war has, by his
daring, by his energy, by his wisdom in dealing
with men and with circumstances, and, above all, by
his frank, his generous, and I will add humane
spirit, added another name to the catalogue of
Eugland'a heroes—(cheers),—and who has to-night
shown that, although, according to the old legal
maxim, "the law is silent in the midst of
arms," yet the lawyer and the soldier combined
can, after nrins hare been Lid ueide, epeak
with the cloquenee which befits the one and the vigour
which characterises the other. (Cheers,) Speaking on
behalf of the Bench, I desire to record also their
satisfaction that all this can be said, and said with
perfect truth, of one who is related so closely to him
whom I see sitting near me, my noble and learned
friend, himself so long and so conspicuous an ornament
to the English Bench (cheers), and who while an occu-
pant of that Bench was respected and beloved by
his colleagues and by every member of the Bar
who, like myself, has had the pleasure of practising
before him. (Cheers.) Still speaking, Mr. Attorney.
General, on behalf of the Bench, and remembering
the hall in whichil stand, Imust refer to what I cannot
but deem to be a coincidence that your honoured
guest of this evening has fought and won laurels
under the command of one who bore a name and
title which never can be wholly forgotten in the
Temple—the name of Thesiger, which I rejoice to
think is still numbered by the Bench among its mem-
bers, anel the title of Chelmsford,. which I trust is de-
stined to become as conspicuous in the military pro.
tendon as it has hitherto been in the profeesion of the
I law. (Cheers) I thank you, gentlemen, on behalf of

rr;

the Judges of the Supreme Court of Judicature for
the toast which you have just drunk. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. Say, Q.C., proposed "The House of Lords,"
coupled with the name of the noble and venerable
Lord Hatherley.
Lord Hatherley, who on rising to respond was much
affected by the warmth of the reception which greeted
him, said that he felt quite unable to respond, for his
feelings had been stirred to their deepest source by
what had taken place with regard to his beloved
nephew. (Cheers.) It would be unbecoming in him
to add anything to the eulogiums which had been so
freely bestowed; but it might be useful to or me of the
young men present to state that in the midst of the
arduous occupations which had engaged his relative's
attention in South Africa, he had never forgotten the
claim on his affection and interest of his home, for
during his year and a half's absence he had found time
to write 450 letters, which he (Lord Hatherley) had
had the satisfaction of perusing. (Cheers.)
The toasts of "The House of Commons," and
"The Irish Bench and Bar," having been replied to,
Mr. Chitty, Q.C., proposed "The Benchers of the
Middle Temple," who had unanimoutly voted the use
of their noble hall for the purpose of the entertain-
ment.

Mr. Joseph Browne, treasurer of the Middle
Temple, responded, expressing the great pleasure
which the Bachers had felt in turning the hall to such
good account, and reminding the company that 300
years since, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, a similar
complimentary banquet had been celebrated within
its walls to do honour to Drake on returning from
his famous voyage of circumnavigation.
The company did not separate until a late hour.