The Express.
London, England, 1863-07-31 00:00:00

_KRITANNIA.

Tuts [venues, THE MISER'S DAUGHTEIL—THE GREAT
CHRIT BCESE front IUK WIAHiNti GLEN. with Pro(rmor
Topper's adit,tatlon of Mr. Max's 4,eetral illastoa.—THE
HIVE OF LIFE.—And THE CURSE OF DISOBEDIENCE.

KWH WATX.II A l 3141 IA 111 BMW'.
Ilus Oat Mernlug. 1L llta. . Amens. 36,5.
TwaoliaoV—Mornloir. Su. as. A.tterroce. 61 26.13.

LONDON, FRIDAY, JULY 31.

Ow Wednesday evening, about seven o'clock, Sir
CBES/WELL CROMWELL expired at his own house.
For the last fortnight he bad been confined to his
room by the unfortunate accident which befel him
in the Park, when his horse was knocked down and
his own knee-cap was broken. It was natural to
suppose that his death was in some way connected
with the injuries he then sustaiued, but the fact
is that the cause of death was heart disease.
Like the late Lord CAMPBELL, who retired to rest
in his usual spirits after entertaining a party at
dinner, and was next morning found dead in his
chair, Sir Carnsween Cnesswenx, whilst conven-
ing with his servant, suddenly complained of
faintness, fell back, and expired.
It seems to be a peculiarity of the present day
that men retain their vigour longer than formerly.
In the House of Commons Lord PAMIRS/570N is
a continual source of surprise ; and in the House
of Lords the apparently immortal vigour of such
men as the Bishop of EXEIRR, Lord Baoconam,
Lord LYNDHURST, and Lord ST. LEONARD'S,
indeed, astonishing. The distinguished Judge
whose loam the country now deplores was not the
least remarkable amongst his contemporaries for his
youthful appearance. It would have been difficult
to persuade anyone who saw Sir CRESSWELL Cases-
wenn as he rode along Rotten-row, or even under
the disguise of a full-bottomed wig, that he had
already reached seventy ; nor was it possible to
detect any trace of age in his manner of conduct-
ing the public business of his court. By his
death, therefore, we have to lament the loss of a
judge not only of pre-eminent ability, but still in
the full vigour of his powers.
Though Sir CROMWELL CRESSWELL had occupied
a distinguished place at the bar and as a judge at
the Court of Common Pleas, still it was by his
conduct in the Divorce Court that he acquired his
highest reputation. The curious matters which
are brought before such tribunals require peculiar
handling. The most delicate relations of domestic
life forma constant subject of discussion. And it
is obvious that in settling such domestic disputes
no ordinary tact and acuteness are required. Much
of the reputation of Sir Wiliam( Scorr was due
to the manner in which he exercised this part of
his judicial functions, and it is hardly too
much to say that the reputation which Sir Cams-
wenn Cssaswm.i. leaves behind will scarcely
be inferior to that of his illustrious predecessor.
But, indeed, the functions of the late Judge were
of a higher and more difficult character than any
which had ever been exercised by a single judge in
this country. Sir CRESSWELL CRESSWELL was the
first judge who was clothed with the power of dis-
solving a marriage, and of arranging the thousand
details which the dissolution of such a contract
entails. The jurisdiction formerly exercised by
the House of Lords was transferred to him, and
for this purpose he had, in fact, to create a new
procedure. This was no easy matter. The dimi-
nution of expense enormously increased the nam-
bee of applications for a dissolution of mar-
riage. Whilst, therefore; on the one
band, it was essential, if the new Court
was to overtake the work and dispose of the eager,
in a reasonable time, that the new procedure should
not be tedious, it was on the other hand equally
essential that all collusive attempts to obtain a
divorce should be repressed. There can be no
doubt that in the opinion of the suitors and of the
bar Sir CROMWELL CRESWELL perfectly succeeded
in accomplishing both objects. The business-like
ease and rapidity with which the late Judge de-
spatched the ordinary business of the court excited
universal admiration; whilst the patience and
acuteness with which he tried every case, and the
marvellous perspicuity which marked his addresses
to a jury, were not less conspicuous. Indeed,
the capacity of the late Judge for getting
through work has been so generally recognised,
that, although the question of his successor has
often been discussed, there is no single individual
whose selection would prove quite satisfactory.
.And undoubtedly it will tax the ingenuity of the
LORD CHANCRLLOR to find an efficient substitute.
Sir CROSWELL Cassavrr.u. had most of the

characteristics of a great judge. His knowledge
of legal principles was extensive, and commanded
the respect of those who practised before him.
His quickness of apprehension was remarkable, and
therefore repetition was discouraged. His manner,
though aomewhataupercilioua, wiumotoirenaive, and
wasadmirablycalculated tocontrol =erratic counsel
and to recall him to the point at issue. His power
of expression, whether in speech or writing, was
not surpassed by any judge upon the bench. His
moral courage and confidence in his own judgment
were such as enabled him calmly to arrive ►t a
conclusion, and to pronounce a judgment in ac-
cordance with it. If any proof were wanted of
the ability with which the late Judge di.• i
charged his functions, it would be found
in the satisfaction of the suitors who
came before him, and in the insignificant •
number of his judgments which have been re-
versed. Indeed, as the full Divorce Court is
made up by adding two common law judges, it is
difficult to see how the ordinary business of the
Common I*wConrtscould proceed if the full Divoroe
Court were required to assemble more frequently
than at present.

This is not the place to speak of the private '
merits of this eminent man. But there are not
few who owe much of the satisfaction of their pre.
sent position to his considerate but disinterested
kindness.