The Sun.
London, England, 1823-07-07 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN LAW SOCIETY.

,n . 4 -
'The :Members et Mos laudable Institution, the
Object of which is to promote fair and honourable practice, anti
to prevent abuses in the profesaionef the law, held their anni-
versary dinner on Saturday last, at the Albion Tavern, Alders'
gate-street. The company was numerous and highly respectable.
Among the guests we noticed Lord Erskine, Mr. J. J. Lock-
hart, .M.P., Mr. Courtenay, Mr. Campbell, Mr. Preston, Mr.
Alderson, Mr. C. 'Williams Mr.' Oliver Ferrer, Mr. &riven,
Mr.Soant,'Mr. Sykes, Marundreth, Mr. Spence, Mr. France,
Mr. a'Becket, and a long list of distinguished Members of the
Profession. NATHANII;LATCHESON, Esq. the Principal of the
Society, for the present year, was in the Chair. At six o'clock
dinner was announced, and proved in every way adequate to
the taste of the" good judges," who had to pronounce upon its
merits. On the cloth being removed, " Non Nobis Amine"
was sung by Mr. Hawes, Mr. •Taylor, Mr. Terrell, Mr. Broad-
burst, and other professional singers, engaged for the occasion,
with considerable effect. The Chairman then gave " The
Xing," with three times three; which was drank with long
continued plaudits.—" Clod save the King,"—" The Duke of
York and the Army,"—Oleei 4' How merrily we live that Sol-
diers be."—" The Duke of Clarence and the Navy;' with
three times three.—" Rule Britannia."--'c The other Branches
of the Royal Family," with three times three. •
The CHAIRMAN then rose, and proposed the health of the
noble and distinguished individual, Lord Erskine, who had that
day honoured them with his presence. It'hen they recollected
the splendour of his eloquence, and the integrity and consist-
ency of his character, he was sure they would fully appreciate
the honour conferred upon them by his Lordship's attendance
on the occasion, and participate with him in the gratifying
prospect which such patronage afforded of every object cen•
nected with the Institution, being fully effected. lie felt
inadequate to the expression of his own sentiments of respect
and veneration for the distinguished Nobleman who had thus.
kindly consented to visit them. He. had, from the earliest
period of his recollection, had the opportunity of observ-
ing the professional career of that great man, and he was
convinced, that those who heardhim would agree, that it was
at all times marked by every thing that was honourable—every
thing that was fearless and independent—and every thing that
could exalt the character and reputation of the English Bar.
In the discharge of his professional duties be had always been
affable and courteous, and no man perhaps ever more conciliat-
ed the affection and esteem of those who consulted him than
Lord Erskine. He would not presume, in proposing this toast,
to trespass further on their attention, than to express his convic-
tion that when his Lordship descended amidst the shades of his
forefathers, his memory would ever be cherished with feelings
of the deepest veneration and affectionate admiration. In con-
elusion, lie begged to propose " The health of Lord Erskine,
with three times three.' _ _

This toast was drank with the strongest marks of enthusiasm.
Lord ERSKINE then rose and said, that be must, indeed be
insensible if he were not much affected by the manner in which
his health had been drank. He assured the Meeting that he
was much flattered as well as pleased by the invitation. to at-
tend the present meeting, because it shewed that those labours
of the early part of his life, to which lie at all times looked back '
with pleasure, were not fingotten by those towards whom he
invariably felt the warmest feelings of regard. Ile trusted' he'
had at all times evinced the feelings and planners of a Gentle.
man, and to this he ascribed the respect which he was proUd to
say he still enjoyed. lie would venture to say that upoli such
feeling and such manners much of the dignity of the law de-
' pended.—(Cheers.)—He ever considered .that.the members of
the profession in all its departments were equally entitled to re-
spect, kindness, and regard ; and lie was bound tosay, that lie had
ever found the law, in all its branches, in the highest degree
honourable. Complaints were made of the expences of the law,
and many injurious reflections were in consequence cast upon
its Members. The • true cause of those expences, hoWever,
were to be traced to the system of stamp dunes, which had of
late risen to an alarming extent. This was a gross abuse, and
contrary to the most sacred provision of Magna Chant*, which
says, " Ilrulli rendcmus ju.tatiani." It was the *Mem of
stamp duties which justly gave rise to the assertion that
justice was sold; but -he trusted it would ultimately receive •
the correction it demanded from the hands of Parliament._....
He often looked briek with regret to his retirement from
his professional life, and lamented
.that ,circumstances,, how.
ever honourable to hiniself, had withdrawn him from scenes
so congenial to his mind. in conclusion, he expressed his
cordial approbation of the objects of this Society, and wished
it every, possible success. His Lordship then proposed as a
toast—
Prosperity to the Metropolitan Law Society," with three
times three. This was drank with loud applause. ,
" Should auld acquaintance be forgot,".and chOrni.
Mr. ARDERTON, the Secrettsryolien produced and read the
14port of the Committee. lt commenced by alluding to tli'e
origin of the Society, and describing its objects; after which It
proceeded as follows

" The Committee have at all times directed their most par-
ticular attention to the claims of persons applying to be ad.
mitted as A ttornles ; consisting, on an average, of one hundred
and thirty persons in each term ; antlin the promotion of this
desirable , end, a list of the persons seeking to be admitted is
printed each term, and regularly distributed throughout the
kingdom, and placed in a conspicuous situation in the different
Courts. .Although the obtaining, printing, and circulating
this list is attended with considerable expellee, your Commit.
tee deem it of considerable importance that this should be con.
tinutxl, since it has been productive of the most adVantageons
effect, end has been sanctioned by the approval of the Judges.
Since the formation of the Society, seven individuals applying
for admission have been successfully opposed; and caveats
against others have been entered, which has deterred them from
pursuing their application."
" It is with feelings of regret the Committee report that two
Attornics have, during the past year, on the prosecution of the
Society,' been struck off the Rolls; and deeply as they deplore
the necessity of this measure. it is only by making an example
of the unworthy, thatothent are deterred froili the like practices.,
and the respectability of the profession continued and main.
tained. The Committee, in the discharge of their duty in Tri.
pity Term, 1022, directed an application to be made to the'
Court of King's Bench against Th omas Brown, of llolbcach,
in the County of Linceln, and who bad also an office in Lon.
don, to strike him off the Roll of Attornica of that Court, for
permitting William. Ward, an unqualified person, to share
and participate with him in the profits of his business. And in
Michaelmas Term last the rule was made absolute, and Brown
has been struck off the roll accordingly.
" A similar application also was made in Ililary Term last,
against Thomas Jackson, of 'Change-alley, in the city of Lon
don, for being in partnership with 'rheimas Wood, a Convey-
ancer, and allowing him to share in the profits of the business
of an attorney.: which rule was in the OM Term made abso-
lute, by ordering Jackson to be struck off the roll, and Wood
to be committedto the King's Bench Prison fur one month.
" In last Ililary Term an application was made to the Court
of King's Bench, and a rule obtained fOr an attachment apinst
JoivColville, for practising as an Attorney in the name of
James Dawson, an Attorney of that Court, without his know.
ledge or consent; and against George Glover, for swearing an
anWavit describing himself as the Clerk of James Dawson,'
being in fact the Clerk of Colville, and not of Dawson, the:
indgrnent of the Court is postponed until next Michaelmas
Term. ,

“ in addition to the atinve, there has been several minor pro-
secutions, in which, upon the promise of the parties not to roe
peat their offence, and on amain of their having large families
dependant upon them for support, the proceedings against them'
have been abandoned, and without the payment of any cost ; it
tieing u rule with this society never to suffer any costs to be
taken, but by an order of the Court.
” The society keep for the use of the members, a list of re-
jected bail ; and the rules and orders of the Courts are printed
and distributed immediately after they are made.
" The Committee, in order to deter attornies from permitting
unqualified persons to practice in their names, or allowing such
persons to participate with them in the profits of their business,
have, during the last year, caused to be printed and distributed
upwards of two thousand cautions, containing an abstract of
Acts of Parliament relating to such offences.
" The Committee having discovered that several certificated
Conveyancers had vroeured commissions for inking affidavits in
the Court of King a Bench, they, in Hilary Term, sty:weeded
in obtaining 4-rule of that Court, preventing commissions being
obtained by such persons in future, and such rule has been
printed and distributed.
" The Committee have also directed Memorials to be pre-
sented
on the first day of next Michaelmas Term, to the Courts
of King's Bench and Common Plots, praying that on all writs ,
to bring the party into Court, the attorney and plaintiffs' places
of abode shall appear, and that the names and places of iibode '
of attornies and other persons taking out summonses at the
Judges' Chambers, shall he indorsed on the first summons;
and also, that all writs returned shall be filed separately, on a
file to be kept for each respective county.
"'The Committee have great Satisfaction in communicating
I that they have succeeded in obtaining a very important and be-
neficial alteration in the annual' Indemnity Act, which will in
obtaining a...in.ois.on, to ;tot as anomie'', future prevent persons
unless their articles are stampe six months after their
execution ; it having become the practice to get them stamped
only a few days before admission, upon the payment of a small
penalty.
The Committee cannot close this their Report, withont
acknowledginfr thereat facilities which have at all times been
aftbrded to this ty by the several' Officers in the Court of
King's Bench, and particularly the Muster, Thos. Le Blanc,

j .;~;[

Mut.; as also by Thos. Prorrosfatid- Thomas Chambre, Esqrf,
th'e Signers of the Writs, who, from tho'friiii;feninadem of the
Soeietyl have permitted the Seeretiry the free inspection of their
files, The same has also been done by Mr. Sherwood, of the
Common Pleas Office, and by Mr. BroaditheSignerorthe Bills
of Middlesex ; and at the Rule OfficeitheOfficers and Clerks
have rendered to. the Society great and-essent*-betretitiriM%
quick dispatch with which they have alwarlOVen*lltletjili
and the useful information,' which they bleb abided 'to the
_
Secretary. • • -
" The Committee have
. the 'pleasure:to tepees #
the past year, the Society has received an accession of &tote
members ; 'and they have, no doubt, as the utility art
ciety becomes more generally diffused, its numbers will son.
Mute to increase ; and they. venture to hope that, at no distant'
period, it will have the support of every respectable attorney
in the metropolis.
" The Committee have also the pleasure, to report, that the
finances of the Society twain a progressive state of improvement.
The d isbursemen ts ofles t year tumuli t to the sum of 1001. 2s. 7d.,
whilst thereceipts of the same,period amount CO 202/. as. —arising
from the annual subscriptions, amounting to the sum of
lOs.;. from the fees of admission, 671. 4*.; and frem 'O W nr.
individuals, 311. ss. ; leaving a balanye °till/. ss. sd. in favour
of the Society.
*4 The Cottimittee have the gratification to report that the
Provincial Auornies are following the example of this Institu-
tion, and are
ealablishing Provincial Lim Societies. Three
have lately been instituted one by the Attornies of the County
of Leicester, another by the-Attornies of Hampshire, and a
third by those of Clieshirifitirriiking with those before instituted,
a total of twenty.ono Provinejal Law Societies, all of which are
in corrospondenca with the Society, and-have the
same important tendency vornely,. that of promoting lair and
honourable prattite; Pi4Aiting abifses in the profession, and
protecting. the right AR4.lprivitegtt of its Members."' •
The 'Cu at n ;wax, . after.- briefly noticing • the learning, ta-
lents, intei.Tity,, and 4istr, judicial character of Lord Eldon,
proposed" liCaltli..df the Lord Chancellor," with three
times three, received with great applause and re-
peated sheers.
He then gaVe, _‘i:4llPS Itwelve Jtulges"—" The Master of
the Rolls, and the'. itfletAchabeellor.4 --.=Theiie toasts were well
received. :'. • • " •
The C FIAI a star, then said; that With their permission he
would propose "Ilielteelth of the late .luster of the Roll*,
• Sir Nt'illiain (rant," Which was tirade amidst the warmest de.
monstrations of respect and attachment for that truly great and
honest man. • 1 :

Lord liitaKlWE rose to propOse the health of their Chairman,
Mr. Atchenon, whom he had known many years, and he, was
only doing him justice, when he said, that no man's conduct
could be more entitled to their respect than his. He was in-
debted to him for many kingjittenttons, and he was happy of
this opportunity to express'hts obligations for them. Under his
management, he 'was sure the' affairs of the Institution would
be ably conducted, and every'-effect given to the objects for
which tt was established. This toast was received with gy..lat
applause, and drank with three times three.
Mr. ATcatEsox returned thanks, and assured the Meeting
that he wst; deeply grateful for-the kind manner in which his
health had been proposed And drank, and that whilst he filled
the office of their Principal they might rely upon his most zea-
lous exertions to discharge the duties in a manner satisfactory
to them, and beneficial to the Profession. He could not but
feel highly fluttered by the numerous attendance of Members
that day, and more especially by the presence of the Noble
Lord next him. He felt it as a corimltment, and it was the
more pleasing to him, as he could not but considei it as likely
to have the best effect upon the welfare 'and prosperity of the
Institution.

The next toast was—" The: Independence of. the English
Bar." It was received with loud acchtmetions-
Mr. PRESTON returned thanks,, and assured the meeting of
his anxious' and sincere wish to promote an Institution, from
the establishment of Which 'so much good might be antici-
pated, and he was convince; that the other Gentlemen at the
Bar, then present, would concur with him in'that sentiment,
and that they .wOuld always be tbund' most anxious to lend
their assistance to any measures calculated to maintain the re-
spectability 'and intlependenee of every branch of the Pre-
fession. - .

The CITAIIMAN theft *posed the health of Mr. Locklutrt,
the Member for Oxford; to whom the. Society, he said, were
under great obligation, as well as the Professicin generally.—
lie believed they had not Weimer or more sincere friend thaii
Mr. Lockhart, and his unremitting attention to their interests,
and, that of the public, as. a Member of the Legislature, enti-
tled him to their respect and warmest gratitude. This toast
was drunk with great applause. .
Mr. LC/CRITART returned thanks.
The CliAl sat x then gave the following toasts, ivhicli were
received with much applause :—" The late Principal 9f the
Society, NVilliatti Young Knight, Esq."—" The Treastirer,
William Wright, 'Esq."—`.• Tha memory of the late Mr. Low.
ton and the Lowtpnian Society."_" Mr. Sykes."—" The Com-
inittee."7—" TheStewarils."

The CstAtustmi next proposed, "The health of their inde.
fatigable and excellent So-cretaty,". by Aose exertions, the
soelety had been instituted; anti who had rendered his services
gratuitously. T 4,1111904. which had been read testified the
nature and great utility of his labours t and they would all
agree with him, that no man could have performed the arduous
and frequently paififttl, duty itniinsed ,n him 'in a more praise.
Worth and effective manner than Mr. Anderton.
This toast called forth the loudest acclamations of the party,
and Mr. A riouturoar returned thanks in a very able address,
to the Meeting, and assured then that he enjoyed every reward
for his labours in contemplating the establishment or•the So.
Amy and the iblfilment of the objects 'contemplated 'by, it;
That if nothing more heti been effected than preventing the
admission of the persons alluded to in the Report. who would,
but for their opposition, have become Members of the profession,
and been preying upcin the public t.„-he trusted much had been
done and sufficient, to thew the advantages resulting frtnn such
an Institution.

.... .......„........ , .
Societies".—" The Visiters"—..
The following, among many other toasts,' were afterwards
given t--., The Scotch and Irish Bar"—" The k'wvin64ll4w
Prosperity to the LAW Lae
Assurance Society"—and the evening concluded much to the
satisfacuon of the party. Several excellent songs and glees
were likewise sung by some of the members of the Society ; and
the dinner, dessert, • and wines, were highly creditable to the
distinguished taste and liberality of Mt. Key's establishmeht.