The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-29 00:00:00

DINNER TO ME. JUSTICE SHEE.

Yesterday the members of the Home Circuit as-
sembled in great force at the Albion Tavern, the
occasion being a complimentary dinner to their
senior, Mr. Sergeant Shee, in token of their con-
gratulation on his having been elevated to the
bench. It may be interesting to know the exact
number of gentlemen who sat down to table, and we
accordingly give the figures with absolute precision.
There were in all 189 present; and when it is re-
membered that considerably less than half that
aggregate has been accounted a handsome muster at
former circuit dinners, even when a similar honour
has been paid to a popular senior, the great esteem
in which Mr. Justice Shee is held by his legal
brethren appears beyond all question. The com-
pany was mainly formed of present members of the
Home Circuit; but there were a few distinguished
personages among the guests whose connection with
the body was one of the past, such as Lord Chelms-
ford, Sir F. Kelly, Q.C., Mr. Baron Channel!, Mr.
Justice Willes, and others. The chair was taken
by the senior, Mr. Montagu Chambers, Q C., the
vice.president's post being occupied by the junior,
Mr. Grantham. In proposing the health of Mr.
Justice Shee,
The CHAIRMAN said the event was a triumph for
one and a triumph for all. He dwelt on those
qualities of their friend which, while they justified
his high appointment in the public mind, made it a
matter of deep regret with his brethren that they
should lose his society and constant example. Mr.
Chambers proceeded to speak with great warmth
of the generous character displayed at all times by
Mr. Sergeant Shee as an antagonist. He said it
was needless to call upon the assembly to pay the
utmost honour to the subject of the toast. The
tribute they were about to bestow had in some way
been anticipated. by the mere fact of their gathering
in such unprecedented strength. In conclusion, he
asked them to drink with glasses filled to the brim
the health of Mr. Justice Shee.
The toast was received with an enthusiasm which
is perfectly indescribable; and the deafening cheers
which greeted the object of all this hearty goodwill,
when he rose to respond, kept him for some time
from speaking a word.
Mr. Justice SHEE then said, with an emotion
which at first retarded his utterance, that he could
not deny having been taken by surprise. That he
should be kindly received and entertained by friends
of long standing was not to him very wonderful ;
bat their exceeding cordiality, and the unanimous
spirit of approval in which his appointment had
been received by all parties—(loud cheers)—and by
all shades of thinkers—(renewed cheering)—touched
him deeply. lam proud (continued tae learned
judge) of the country that can thus manifest its
liberality. lam proud of the people that, amid
strong feelings, has no feeling so strong as the feeling
of justice. His lordship then entered into reminis-
cences of his long connection—a connection extend-
ing over more than 30 years—with the Home Cir-
cuit. He said he had joined it when only 21: years
of age, at which time Lord Chelmsfor(l. was a junior.
Ho (Mr. Justice Shee) had seen a good many abler
men pass by him in a course which, to himself, had
been an exceedingly-chequered one. Sometimes he
was up; oftener down ; not unfrequently up again.
(Loud laughter and prolonged cheers.) He could
not help thinking that it was not only those who
got all the clients and all the briefs who saw the best
of the profession. 1% bile puzzling their brains with
practice, they missed some of the enjoyment of the
circuit. For himself, he knew a little of both ; and
perhaps it was because of this, and because he had
found so much to love in the society of his brethren,
that he now felt the sadness of success. In conclu-
sion, Mr. Justice Shea expressed a hope that, in
thanking them sincerely for their kindness, he was
not altogether bidding them farewell.
The remaining toasts were—" The Judges," pro-
posed by the Chairman and acknowledged by Mr.
Justice Willes—" The Old Members of the Home
Circuit," to which toast Lord Chelmsford eloquently
replied—" The Home Circuit," proposed by Sir
Fitzroy Kelly, Q.C., and responded to by Mr.
Locke, Q.C.—and " The Senior," which final toast
was ably given by Mr. Baron Channell, and feel-
ingly acknowledged by Mr. Montagu Chambers.
Naval and Military Intelligence.