The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-14 00:00:00

STRAND THEATRE.

Sole Lessee, Mr. F. W. Allcroft.—Directress, Miss Rebecca Isaacs.
THIS EVENING, Malicia 14,
Will be performed LA SONNAMBULA.
To be followed by THE OMNIBUS. Pat Rooney, Mr. Hodson.
After which, THE BLUE JACKETS.
To conclude with THE CORICO STUN BR3THERS. Paddy and
Tim Mulligan (the Brothers), Mr. G. Hodson.
Stalls, 55.; Boxes, 35.; Pit, Is. 6d ; Gallery, Gd. ; Private Boxes,
11. 1 Is. 6d., to be had of Mr. Allcroft, 15, New Bond-street.

ASTLEY'S EUROPE'S NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke.
THIS EVENING, Mama 14,
And daring the week, will be presented the new, grand, and
romantic spectacle entitled THE WOODMAN'S HORSE; or, The
False Knight—the Woodman's Hose by the pet steed, Beauty,
expressly trained by Mr. William Cooke.
After which, the incomparable Scenes of the ARENA.
To conclude with the Domestic Drama of THE WHITE FARM'.
Box-office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W .
West.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Taui DAY —Morning 1 min.aftor 2 I Evening 18 min.aft. 2
To-lioaenw—Morning 34 min.after 2 Evening 52 min.aft. 2

TliE WEATHER.—Sus OFFICR, MARCH 14.
THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE.
62—highest since noon yesterday.
49 —lowest this morning and during the night.
56—this day at noon.
BAROMETER, 29'99.
WIND. S.W.—Light breeze, with dull weather, and
slight rain.

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LONDON, TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1854.

There is a vacant seat on the Judicial Bench.
One dear to all who had the honour of his acquain-
tance, or who had any concern with him, has been
suddenly removed from this world ; and the
home of which he was so lately the delight and
ornament has become a scene of mourning and
desolation. The melancholy and most unex-
pected death of Sir TITOMAS NOON TALF'OURD
affords another fearful instance of the precarious
tenure by which we hold our existence, and
teaches us the salutary, but, in this instance,
deeply painful lesson, that "in the midst of life
we are in death." But yesterday morning the
graceful and brilliant author, the learned and im-
partial Judge, was in full possession of health and
strength, physical and intellectual. Within a few
brief minutes he was a lifeless corpse. He took his
seat shortly after 10 o'clock yesterday morning in
the Court-house at Stafford—one of the chief scenes
of his forensic labours, where he had steadily and
honourably worked his way to the high position
to which he was subsequently elevated, whore he
achieved the honourable distinction of being the
recognised leader of the Oxford Circuit, and
where, little more than four years ago, his promo-
tion was announced to him with almost as little
preparation as his more recent summons to a
better and a brighter world, where, we trust, he
may reap the rich reward of his virtuous and
blameless career in this transitory world.
When commencing his charge to the Grand
Jury, he might have apparently looked forward
to a protracted, honourable, happy, and useful
existence. Sprung from the middle classes, he
had worked his way to fame and fortune, which
he had gained by his own deserts so clearly and
unequivocally that his success was not clouded
by a single dissentient voice. Detraction and,
calumny were silenced by merits that could not
be slighted, and by the general estimation in
which he was held, not merely for his professional,
but also for his social qualifications, and his lite-
rary eminence. It was not merely respect and
esteem with which he was regarded. He was,
indeed, beloved by all who knew him, or who had
any opportunity of testing the genial kindness of
his disposition—the largeness and unalloyed be-
nevolence of his heart. And if a wanton or male-
volent attack were made there were numbers of
competent men ready to spring forward in defence
of the general favourite.
_The Learned Judge was born in the month of
.5143 r, 1'795. He was consequently only in his
59th year,
and with every prospect of attaining a
green and
vigorous old age. His father was a
highly resPeeta.ble brewer at Reading, his excel-
lent mother was the daughter of a Dissenting
clergyman) and from her the youthful genius
acquired the independence of thought and self-
reliance that became so conspicuous during his
subsequent career. He was educated at the
Grammar School of Reading,
under the fostering
care of Dr. VALPY, whose name has become so
celebrated from his connexion with the new edi-
tions of the works of the most celebrated classical
writers. Under such propitious auspices the eager
student speedily distinguished himself, not only as
a mere scholar, but as a vigorous
and tasteful
writer, who gave early promise of achieving high
rank in the realms of Fancy. His father, how_
ever, determined that he should adopt graver
pursuits. He was desirous that his son should
become a barrister, and abandon poetry and poli-
tics for legal lore. The obedient son yielded, and
was amply rewarded for his filial piety. In 1813,
when barely 18 years of age, he became pupil to
Mr. CHITTY, the eminent special pleader, whose
admirable work on pleading has long been a text
book to the profession. Although still flirting
with the: e, and taking a decided part in poli-
-tics---for young TALFOURD was
a Parliamen-
tary refOrnie long before such opinions became
14.4hieliable-7i-he did not relinquish the worship of
dr the acquisition of the knowledge

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'‘.

essential to forensic eloquence. Both before and '
after his " call," he contributed largely to various
literary publications, and even became a member
of the Fourth Estate, writing and reporting from
time to time. Many persons who deemed the
pursuit of literature and politics inconsistent with
that of the law shook their empty heads, and predicted
the unqualified failure of the " Jack-of-all-trades."
But the gloomy vaticinations failed. The shafts,
pointed partly by envy and malevolence, but still
more by solemn stupidity and (if we may be al-
lowed to coin an expression) blockheadism, fled
wide of the mark, and the object of the forebod-
ings went on steadily acquiring the substantial
rewards of his professional genius and assiduity.
Nay, more, after he had assumed the Coif, and
was addressed by venerable Judges as their " learned
brother," he produced a play—a play that was
. acted, a play that succeeded, and which at once
entitled him to a high rank among dramatic au-
thors.
But TALFOURD even conquered this diffi-
' culty, and gained the Bench, notwithstanding the
crown of "bays" previously conferred on him.
In 1821—being then in the 26th year of his
age—he was called to the bar, and joined the
Berkshire Sessions and the Oxford Circuit. He
also practised as a special pleader—the science
not having at that time fallen into disrepute.
His success was such, that in twelve years he
deemed himself justified in taking the critical
step that has marred the fortunes of so many,
rising members of the "utter bar." But TAL-
FOURD felt confidence in his own genius and
energy, and it was speedily apparent that it was
not misplaced. Briefs still came in a steady
stream, and there were few cases on circuit
where an early retainer was not sent to Mr.
Sergeant TALFOURD, for plaintiff or defendant.
He speedily became the recognised leader, and as
such made himself popular with all his brother
banisters. The juniors found a friend who was
ever ready to bestow advice, if required, and
whose admonitions were couched in such gentle
terms that they failed to excite a single angry
feeling in the breast even of the censured party.
Two years after assuming the coif, Sergeant
TALFOURD became a candidate for legislatorial
honours, having started at the general election of
1835 for his native town, Reading, which he re-
presented in Parliament for eleven years. Time
went on until 1849, when the death—from cho-
lera—of Mr. Justice COLTMAN vacated the seat
in the Court of Common Pleas, to which Sergeant
TALFOURD became the worthy successor. His
promotion was highly honourable to himself and
to those by whom it was conferred, without soli-
licitation or even application, and who selected
the worthiest out of many persons eligible for the
rank. Sergeant TALFOURD was conducting a case
in Stafford Court House at the moment when he
received the intelligence that told him that his
labours as an advocate had ceased, and that he
was thenceforward to hold the balance of justice
with an impartial hand.
Since then he has discharged his arduous and
important functions with credit to himself and
benefit to the community. Once he was viru-
lently and most unwarrantably assailed. Two
miscreants named BlRD—husband and wife—were
arraigned before him on a charge of murder. They
had both cruelly ill-used a helpless child, but there
was a legal difficulty in the case that rendered a
conviction impossible. Mr. Justice TALFOURD
felt himself compelled to decide in opposition to
the course which a sense of indignant humanity
would have dictated. But he had a high duty to
discharge, and he did not shrink therefrom. The
result was an attack of the most violent character, in
which it was difficult to discern whether ignorance
or malevolence predominated. It is a source of
mournful satisfaction to ourselves, to remember
that we were the first to vindicate the character
of the Learned Judge, and to show that he could
not possibly have acted otherwise. For several
days we stood forward as his solitary champion,
but speedily the unanimous voice of the profes-
sion more than justified• his conduct, and many
journalists joined in repelling the accusation.
Subsequent events confirmed the accuracy of our
judgment, and showed the frivolity of the flip-
pant charge.
From thence, until the hour of his lamented
death, Justice TALFOURD maintained his undevi-
ating course. As we have stated, he entered
the Court-house at Stafford in full health but
yesterday morning. He commenced his address to
the Grand Jury with his usual eloquence. His
utterance, however, soon became impeded, and
while he was deploring the spread of crime,
and tracing that deplorable fact to the
habits of intemperance prevailing among the less
wealthy classes, and also to the want of sympathy
shown by those holding higher positions in the
social scale, he fell forward and breathed his last,
dying in harness before even the scarlet robes of
office could be taken off. Peace to his manes.
He has been too speedily removed from his
mourning country and his afflicted and bereaved
family, but it will be a consolation to those who
inherit the name on which he has conferred lustre,
to think that he well and faithfully discharged his
duty "in the station of life to which it pleased
GOD to call him," and that he has left an unblem-
ished reputation, beyond the reach of envy, or
calumny, or malevolence to stain or tarnish.

There can be no doubt that the Rifle will be
the weapon which will decide the fate of most
future battles. Already the artillery has been
required to make great efforts to preserve its re-
lative superiority ; but we must expect that im-
provements , will continue to be made in the
infantry weapon, till the discharges will become
so rapid, and the aim, so sure, that within the
range of half a mile or more it will be the most
deadly of arms. Few, however, become very
quickly perfect marksmen ; and hardly any ever
become first-rate who have not felt some enthu-
siasm for the art of shooting in early life. The
steady hand and eye, the correct appreciation of
distance, the intuitive knowledge (for it becomes
intuitive) of the allowance requisite for the di-
rection of the wind, and the parabolic curve de-
scribed by every projectile in long shots--all this
needs considerable experience, and a zest for the
object. It is with pleasure, therefore, we have
witnessed the formation of several Rifle Corps
already, and most cordially do we recommend
them to the attention of our young gentlemen.
We all know what a formidable body the French
Chasseurs de Vincennes are ; and we have all been
rejoicing lately in the efficiency of the Turkish Rifles,
trained on their model, at Oltenitza ; but should
an enemy ever land on our own shores the merits
of the rifle would display themselves tenfold.
With every inch of our country well known to us,
and abounding, as it does, from its populousness
and high cultivation, with available shelter for
defence and ambuscade, a national supply of rifle-
men would almost limit an invader to the coast
on which he landed. For domestic defence, at
any point, it would hold any enemy in fear, and
perhaps in check, till our screw steamers and
regulars could combine arrangements to finish the
business.

It gratifies us, therefore, to call the attention
of our readers to the formation of a Gentleman's
Rifle Corps for Middlesex. It is to consist of
300 men, and is commanded by his Grace the
Duke of WELLINGTON, as Lieutenant-Colonel
Commandant, and by the Earl of PERTH and
MELFORT, as Major. They have obtained an ex-
cellent practice ground of fourteen acres, at Kil-
burn. We subjoin a letter from Lord PALMER-
STON, as Home Secretary, to the Marquis of
SALISBURY, as Lord-Lieutenant of the county,
approving of the formation of the corps, which
has since been duly gazetted :
"Whitehall, July 14th, 1853.—My Lord, —I have had
the honour to lay before the Queen your Lordship's
letter of the 30th ult., and I have to inform your Lord•
ship that her Majesty is graciously pleased to approve
and accept the offer for the formation of a Volunteer
Rifle Corps, under the provisions of the Act 44, George
c. 54, as proposed by your Lordship, on the con-
ditions stated in my letter to your Lordship of the 27th
April last. The corps to consist of three hundred men,
to be formed into four companies of 75 men each. The
establishment of officers will be as follows, namely—
one Lieut.-Colonel, one Major, four Captains, four First-
Lieutenants, four Second-Lieutenants, one Adjutant,
one There will be no objection to the Corp;
being styled the Victoria Rifles, but it is not considered
desirable to multiply the term "Royal " without any
particular reason, and her Majesty has not been pleased

to signify her approval of that addition in the present
instance.

"I have, &c. (Signed)
"The Marquis of Salisbury, K.G."

PALMERSTON."

In Prussia, the Landwehr familiarises the youth
to the use of arms. Here we have nothing of the
kind ; but were a taste, for rifle practice diffused
pretty widely, it would go far to qualify our
young men to become, at a very short warning,
most efficient defenders of their country. The
fundamental qualification is to be a good shot ;
the requisite drill is more easily acquired, but for
the former, skill and practice are essential.
Where so much of the training must consist in
target work, the requisite discipline becomes a
highly interesting and stimulating amusement ;
and some of us can testify from experience that
well-conducted rifle practice is only second in in-
terest to thernfowling-piece and the pointer. We really
think it preferable to the modern battue shooting,
a practice all but unknown when those of us above
50 had not reached half that age. We most heartily
wish success to the Victoria Rifles, and hope they
will soon be followed by other corps competing
with them in furnishing first-rate marksmen. We
do not quarrel with YOUNG ENGLAND for their
taste for cricket, but we must hold that the man
who can hit the bull's eye pretty often, may be of
much more service to his country than the man
who can score most notches, or knock down most
wickets. Applications for enrolment in the Vic-
toria Rifles are, we understand, to be made to the
Honorary Secretary, W. T. PRITCHARD, Esq.,
Doctors' Commons.