The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-08 00:00:00

TILE__ _ SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENINt3g,

LITERATURE

CHARACTERS OF GREAT MEN. By Thomas

111'1% cvin.

This pamphlet is nothing less than the reprint of a
le2ture delivered in a repeal reading-room at Dublin. It
is altogether and essentially Irish. The convolution of
the sentences, the idiomatic earnestness, the conven-
tionality of phrase, the very looseness of the treatment,
are all peculiarly and especially Irish. We like it none
the less for that—indeed, we like it only the more for its
striking nationality of tone and manner, and because
likewiie' the matter is entirely divested of factitious
embellishments or party insinuations. Whatever may
be our difference of opinion on the minor points of the
characters of Napoleon, Franklin, and Washington—
' however much we may disagree with Mr. M•Nevin in
thinking Napoleon insincere, and Washington a genius—
we must acknowledge that his estimate of those illus-
trious personages is, on the whole, judicious. In his re-
verence, however, for the writings of Thomas Carlyle—
that d ep thinker and plain speaker of this our day
we go heart and soul, lip and hand. Rugged, and even
blundering he is, if measured by the prettinesses and
the petty euphonisres of letters ; but there is a profun-
dity in his thoughts, a sweetness in his pathos,
a❑ awe in his selemcity, and a sparkle in
his hilarity, which few of the more sedate
and ornate writers can ever hope to evince. Still we will
confess that a fondness for the books of Carlyle can arise
solely from a peculiar sympathy for hs genius in the
reader ; a man cannot school himself into a love for
those rare volumes—that love, as Goodman Dogberry
saith of reading and writing, " comes from nature."
Mr. M'Nevin possesses this sympathy, and here, and
there he affords us a glimpse of it in the course cf this
clever essay.

JOHN BULL'S TRIP TO BOULOGNE AND

CALAIS.

We like the notion of this little volume excessively: it
does credit to the ingenuity of Mr.Aird, the intelligent au-
thor of the "Student's Self -InstructingFrencb Grammar."
The object of the book is simply to afford the casual visitor
of France every facility for the acquirement of so much
of the language of that country as will enable him to
engage in ordinary conversation, and to minister to his
various exigencies on the journey. Knowing that
the ordinary course of tuition presented very con-
siderable obstacles to all who are desirous of obtaining
such knowledge, and intimately acquainting himself with
the most facile means of instruction to be adopted under
the circumstances, Mr. Aird has produced a volume pre-
cisely calculated to supply the deficiency. In three ex-
tremely short and extremely agreeable lessons the
reader is thoroughly initiated into the necessary myste-
ries of the French tongue ; and if, after studying
" John Bull's Trip," he be not able to maintain a
pleasant chat with any one amongst our neighbours
across the English Channel it is altogether his own fault
—not the book's ! The author has linked with
these lessons a very comical narrative of
the travelling adventures of Mister John Bull
and his care vase ; from one portion especi-
ally, we man the village fete at Porte), we should
be tempted to make a quotation did our space permit.
The humour of the occurrence would he however
wholly destroyed by any abbreviation, while to transcribe
it entirely is impossible in the at present crowded state
of our columns. A certain eccentric little personage,
entitled Professor Polichinella, adds amazingly both to
the amusement and instruction derivable from " John
Bull's Trip." With Mrs. Bull we can commend the
Professor for a " real native," and we can moreover advise
any visitor of France who is ignorant of the language to
obtain this little volume as his most agreeable and use-
ful travelling companion.

THE PLOUGH. Vol. 1.

Prosperity has so far attended this publication, and
if it be conducted henceforth with similar talent and
similar enterprise, its volumes cannot fail to accumulate
as each successive half-year transpires. As a monthly
miscellany of " agriculture and rural affairs," it has
already acquired a very distinguished position, and this
rapid elevation of a new aspirant in a field so often and
so ably trodden, is to be ascribed, we conceive, to the
extreme utility which characterises not only every num-
ber, but almost every individual paper in every num-
ber. The utility of the article is, moreover, enhanced
by the popular strain in which it is advanced, and
also by the appropriateness of the different contri-
butions to the seasons and circumstances in which
they are produced. As a favourable specimen
of this we may instance the number of the Plough for
the current 1404ntill namely July. Besides a well-timed
budget of " Remarks on the Maturation of Fruits,"
another of " Observations on Diarrhtea in bambs," and
a curious dissertation on " Furze, Gorse, or Whin," the
magazine contains a very valuable lecture on the comp°•
sition of the enrth, as applied to agriculture, the first of
an admirable aerie:, pf chapters explanatory of "The
Natural History of the Cierettl Plant 9." and one of the
renowned Baron Justus Liebig s kroasarq, entitled,
"Remarks on Fallow." Not satisfied, however, with
such a ralalogue raisona, the editor begins ti An
Agricultural Is.tiryey of England"—a subject both
copious and intereSttpg Fpnugh to fill an entire
book of itself-r-and which, when Pippleted will
prove a most useful statistical resource. One
article in the present number we mud in justice par-
ticuia-4*., p both readable to any ordinary peruser, and
as of especial iinpoftiinge to all who are engaged profes-
sionally in cnitlyating the ea,;th,—we mean a descrip-
tion of the effects produced by aration,?, pr the break-
ing up and leoscaing of the coil; an operation which,
by allowing the latent heat pf the globe to radiate
through the particles of mould more ite-ely Pm it could
otberwt§e, tends most remarkably to facilitate the pro-
gress of vegetatipn. The subject is ably treated, and
deserves every ntwcitiop I perhaps we are the
more induced to regard such im.tters with
a favourable eye from our entimsiasrn fpr
the propagation of a pl.ilosophic spirit in all the
departnaentz pf husbandry. We cannot help regarding
as a somewhat anomalous circumstance about this pre
liminary volume of the Piofigif the delicacy and
evanescent beauty of the binding; surely a work which
is intended for the perusal of our honest, heavy-handed
tenant-fartnev,s N4ould have been covered more unos-
tentatiously and durably,---not by a dainty apple-green
and gold, which a gossamer might sropdge and the
powder of a lily stain beyond all reparation, If green,
were so absolutely requisite, surely a " jolly green'
would have been more serviceable. In future the pub-
lisher might take a hint from Shakspere's ejaculation,
"4 Go hang a calf-skin round those recreant limbs !"

cessful competitors of the season. The usual loyal
and national toasts were given, and drunk with enthu-
siasm, and after spending a pleasant evening, the cora-
rany broke up at an early hour.
During the entertainment, the CHAIRMAN adverted to
the performance of one of the successful candidates of
the last season, a Mr. Pewters, who swam with ease
one hundred yards in a minute.

Letters from Mr Sergeant Talfourd and Mr.Waklcy
were read, expressing their regret at not being able to
attend the meeting of the society.

DEATH OF LORD CHIEF JUSTICE

. . TINDAL.
(From the Times.)
The earthly career of the late Lord Chief Justice of the
Common Pleas haS bein terminated rather suddenly., About
ten days ago lie attended the hearing of an Irish appeal in
Cie House of Lords—" Sheehy v. Lord Muskerry." Oa
leaving the House he complained of excessive heat, and ap-
peared to be almost fainting. lie was, within a few hours,
s:ized with paralysis of the left leg, extending. as we under-
stand, to the hip-joint ; and, aft, r the lapse of two or three
days, his medical adviser recommended him to proceed to the
seaside. 1V idiom delay lie repaired to Folkestone, accom-
panied by his son, Captain Tindal ; but there he unhappily-
experienced a renewal of his alarming malady. Several
members of his family were summoned, though little more
than in time to witness his dissolution. He expired on Mon-
day evening at half-past seven o'clOck, to the inexpressible
grief of his family and numerous friends,as well as to the great
;egret of the public at large—for he was one of the most
popular as well as the most eminent judges that ever adorned
the bench of justice.
Sir Nicolas Cenyngham Tindal was in the 70th year of
his age, having been born in 1776. There was, however, a
general impression that his birth took place some years earlier
than that date, for, though hale and vigorous, he seemed to
be rather older than threescore-and-ten. It is also generally
supposed that he was a native of Buckinghamshire; but of
this there can be no doubt, that he is descended
.from an old
Essex family, and that his father, Robert Tindal, who was a
solicitor, resided for many years, if not the whole of his life,
at Chelmsford, in Essex. There is a Mr. Tindal, brother to
the late Chief Justice, who practises as a solicitor in Ayles-
bury, but we have every reason to believe that the subject
of this notice was born at Chelmsford. After the usual
course of school education, he entered at Trinity College,
Cambridge, in the year 1795, and within four Years of that
period—in 1799—he took the degree of A. B , and that of A.M.
in 1802. In the former year ho was eighth wrangler and
senior Chancellor's medallist. In the month of October,lBol,
he was elected a follow of his college, and held the fel-
lowship for eight years. Immediately after taking hia
Master's degree, he became a student of Lincoln's Inn, by
which society he was eventually called to the bar. His
connexion with Lincoln's Inn probably gave rise to the com-
mon error that he had been a Chancery barrister; but, on
the contrary, his practice was limtted to the common law
courts. Shortly after his admission to Lincoln's Inn, he en-
tered upon practice with very considerable success as a spe-
cial pleader, and Lord Brougham stated ) esterday that he
had been among the number of his pupils. There can be no
question that a young law student could hardly have
chosen a safer guide, for a man more thoroughly learned
than Mr. Tindal even then was, in every department of
the law, could scarcely be found within the range of the
profession, and he was especially celebrated for what is
called " black letter le irning." His high reputation brought
him so many clients that at a very early age he thought
it safe to go to the bar, and accordingly we find that he was
called in Trinity Term, 1809. In the ssme year he married
the Youngest daughterof the late Captain Thomas Symonds,
RS., and of course resigned his .fellowship. A numercus
family were the issue of this marriage, but the
wife of Sir Nicolas Tindal died many years ago. In the
Court of King's Bench, and on the Northern Circuit! OvrY
year brought Mr, .Tindal additional reputation as a lawyer,
but very little fame as an advocate. He was never at a loss
for a case ; he could always expound a principle ; he could
give the history of any statute, and with great perspicuity
set forth its provisions; he could argue any point, however
apparently hopeless, and impeach the validity of any legal
document, however apparently sound; but a knavish witness
could elude his examination, and an apathetic jury were
never warmed by his eloquence t yet he had what the pro:
fession calls a " capital business ;" and a large income re,
warded his learning, his industry, and his fllgh 414satilog
faculties. The natural protaess by which lawyers seek ade;
vancement in their profession is to get into Parliament. Mr.
Tindal, however, enjoyed a distinguished opportunity of ap-
pearing before one house of Parliament long before his elec-
tion as a Member of the pOeF, 4 13ill or pinto and pepalties
was preferred against the Queen of George 'V., and in
one of the most extraordinary proceedings that our history
records Mr. Tindal was called upon to bear his part. 110,
conjointly with 4trtlral others, was counsel for the Queen.
How far his astuteness and knowledge rendered hint al}efficient assistant to her Majesty's'AttOrneyeGeneral was a
matter not very apparent at that period. That lie was ca able
of giving yaia-abie flinty to hie tpßrp ghowy brethren f-jqi'd4
Brougham and Penman, there can be do donlat, but his
oratory was not of the order to neutralise the eazzling in•
genuity of Copley, or to cope with the wily manoeuvres of a
cloud of Italian witnesses. Prep! thaNh 4 anioyed
honpur of being a Queen's a yoeale, he obtametywitli thp
public tittle additiplial reputation frond his Share in thiS ex-
trprdinary now follow, him to theliOnse.of
Commons; to 4hich
assendtly in time year 104 ne rim-turned by the IVigton district of urghs ; and- here also we
can say but little for his qualifications as a public speaker.
flis 'panne?: was cold, dry, and unimpressive; his political
and ili@iorb ml knowit4ge' [I cm itself' 43 inf4ll ad-
vantage 2 It ffere upon few questions, and net even upon
those w4ii muOi 'power, One would have expected
that his talents and leartllng as a lawyer must
have often enabled him to enlighten the Honse on
legal difficulties, but yet lie had not a popular nice of dis-
cussing even questitine jaw- 3f4eveftheless, a getter (clan
the office et Solieiter-fleneral could not found amongst
the Tory lawyers in the fpolith of SppteMber, log, when
Sir C. Wetheieil b4ca;-,to 41ivney- cieneral, in esnseemence
of the elevation of Sir John Copley, aftecsyards Lord. Lyncle
burst, to the Mastership of the Rolls. At this time Ur.
incirfl became Sir Nicolas, but lie still remained without
,any 'very material increase of ppefessional fanta, Tier I'm he
called upon duriUg' his tenure Of office tp assist in any im-
portant preeecution on behalf of the Crewn. Sir J. Copley,
who had Fepoppilted the Upiversity of Cambridge, became
Lord Chaneellor in the year 182 t, sigma the Panning Ad-
ministration ; thereupon a vacancy occurred in the repre-
sentation of that constituency, and Sir Nicolas Tindal soli-
pited suffraze.. Mr. William John Bankes, though also
a Terry,. Went pwtl iP oppose him; the result
of the polling iyae, -17 t! for Sir Nicholas Tindal, and 378
for Mr. Wilkes, He had heen chpsen for Harwich
at the general election in 18'36, but of course readily
withdrew from that borough to enjoy the honour of
representing alma witor, Eventually, however, he became
perfectly satisfied with two years' possession of this much-
envied dietinetion. Gout, irritability, and Sir Thomas
Wilde, combined their united virulence to drive poor Lord
Wynford almost' beside himself. The chief seat in the
Common Pleas therefore became vacant, and a prize within
stleietgedrauspxtoa,
of the Solicitor-General, Sir Robert Peel repre-
nSiiru t Nicolashe
LowerTindal i
uCambridge
the;
otthheerons
second
ecwonads
leading Minister
law officer of the Crown ; the one proposed Catholic emanci-
pation, the other supported it ; the one retained his place
in tido Cabinet and lost his seat for Oxford ; the Member
for Cambridge gave tip his 04 for that University, but
obtained a seat upon the bench ; and in the month of June,
1829, became Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, which
position he occupied flurin,.,rt the long period of 17 years, al-
though, under the 13th of tieorge IV., cap. 83, he might, at
the end of years, have claimed exoneration from the toils
of that high station? Death, however, has at length de-
prived him of its honours and relieved him of' its labours.
Sir Thomas Wilde will soon occupy the situation
be filled on the bench, although few
men are qualified to supply the place which he held in the
public esteem. If be had any faults, he certainly possessed
many most shining qualities-as a judge. Gentlemen of the
bar who practise in a given court may never be able to agree
amongst each other. or with the public, respecting the merits
of any judge who occupies a seat on the bench of that court ;
still less can they be brought to anything like an admission
that any judge at any time was ever wholly faultless. The
public, however, are not remarkable for such nice discrimi-
nation; but, with less knowledge and far less fastidious-
ness, they pronounce an unqualified opinion, either to the
great discredit or the infinite honour of the personage who
may at the time have become the subject of their notice. As
to the merits of Chief Justice Tindal the bar maybe divided,
but the public are unanimous. They looked at his " sum-
mings-up' ae among the most masterly exhibitions
of judicial sagacity, and they regarded his calm, thoughtful,
he
andie e.
would tranhqecuyai lsati
dntmflheei xrleiidbgihtl ihtt
ey.
f aas the impersonation of British j us -
c
vigour and promptitude with which
clear and searching intellect upon
some vast accumulation of minute facts, inferences, and ex-
positions,—how he would track out a plain and palpable
path amidst some labyrinth of contradictory evidences. The
world viewed with admiration the manner in which he threw
aside the sophistries and disentangled the forensic perplexi-
ties with which cases are sometimes enveloped,—how lie dis-
sipated the obscurities, lopped off the irrelevancies, curtailed
the redundancies which had been imported into the cause by
the weak or wily advocate, and, finally, how he reduced the
real point in dispute to its strict and indisputable merits.
Such was the impression that the character of Chief Justice
Tindal made upon the community at large; and, whatever
criticism his alleged eccentricities might occasionally pro-
voke among the members of the Bar, all was forgotten in the
intervals between one term and another, while his impertur-
bable temper, the uniform amenity of his manner, his perfect
independence of spirit, his high integrity, and great judicial
abilities were always present to the mind of every observer.

T WENT Y-SECOND

THE SELECT • COMMITTEE O. _
BILLS CLASSIFICATION.
cation C 4
Thßailelwe Say Bills accordingect. Committee apptoointe thed
resolution for the C adopt assiby 0,10
s• -
House, have further considered the several ma %t re-
en

ferred to them, and agreed to report as follows :
Your Committee recommend that the London and artith-
Western Railway (London-bridge Extension) Bill ; the
Eastern Counties Railway (Tottenham to Farringdon• greet)
Bill; the North Kent 'Railway (City Extension) 1 lilt, be
referred to a distinct Committee, Group No. 67.
Your Committee recommend that the Sheffield and Lin-
colnshire Extension Railway Bill ; the Ely and Huntir gdon
Railway (Bedford Extension) Bill, be referred to a die tinct
Committee, Group No. 68.
Your Committee recommend that the Eastern Coun ties j
Railway (Wisbech to Spalding) Bill be referred to a distil. '.ct I
Committee, Group No. 69.
Your Committee reco:nmend that the Sligo and Shannon: 4
Railway Bill; the Dublin, Belfast, and Coleraine JunctionL
Railway Bill ; the Galway and Kilkenny Railway Bill; the
Dublin and Enniskillen Railway Bill; the Londonderry set&
Enniskillen Extension Railway Bill, be referred to a distir ict
Committee, Group No. 70.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Common is.

TUESDAY, JULY 7.
The following Railway Bills, with the Lords' a►nendments,
were agreed to :
Bristol and Exeter (Crewkerne Branch).
Newmarket and Chesterford.l
Reading, Guildford, and Reigate.
London and South-Western (Farnham and Allon Branch).
Kilmarnock and Troon (with an amendment).
Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow, and Dublin.
Morecombe Harbour and Railway.
St. Helen's Canal and Railway.