Star.
London, England, 1826-09-06 00:00:00

THE LATE LORD GIFFORIX

The premature death of Lord Gifford will be a mat-
ter of deep regret to all who can appreciate those solid
talents which are really valuable to a country, and who
know how difficult it is to find that combination of,
powers and attainments, which are necessary to consti-
tute a good Equity Judge.
A Common Law Judge ought to be no ordinary
personage; but a Judge in Equity has a much' more
arduous duty- imposed upon him ; and, in the nature of
his functions, has occasion for much more varied learn-
ing, a much more enlarged comprehension, a much
gteatertcapacity for reasoning, and for combining dis-
tinct series of inferences into one result, a much larger
acquaintance with human transactions, and a higher
degree of caution and circumspection.
The death of a Judge, like Lord Gifford, is a loss,
which, in times like these, is not easily supplied. His
taltriti and virtues were the sole creators of Iris fortune;
he WAS indebted for what be was to himself alone. Un-
aided by patronage, unsupported by connexion, he en-
tered upon the most arduous career that is open in this
country to honourable industry. After a hard struggle,
his sound learning, his patient and just understanding,
his capacity for correct logical argument, enabled ham
to outstrip tompetitors, who commenced the race with
infinitely greater advantages, and who were even supe-
rior to him in specious, showy, and superficial talents.
In 1817, the post of Solicitor-General having become
vacant, the Ministers thought that they could not do
better than select for that office onewho could not,indeed,
boat of the patronage of great names, and had not de•
elated from the walks of his profession into party poll-
t;cs, but who had proved himself to be already equal to
the most arduous duties of his calling, and whose corn-
paratively early age, gave a promise of still greater
excellence. The selection was not less honourable to
those who made it, than to him who was the object of it.
After filling for more than six years the offices, suc-
cessively, of Solicitor General and of Attorney General,
to the duties of which he devoted himself more assi-
duously and more exclusively than has been usual in
the profession, he was appointed Lord Chit f Justice of
the Common Picas, and elevated to the Peerage. He
remai:ted in the Common Pleas only a single Term, and
upon the death of Sir T. Plumer *as appointed Master
of the Rolls.

Probably, no person in a judicial situation ever went
through more severe labour than Lord Gifford did
dining the last two years and a half; for, in addition
to the business at the Rolls, and the sittings of the Privy
Cuurcil at the Cockpit, the hearing of nearly all the
Scotch Appeals in the Howe of Lords devolved upon
him. Day after day he attended in the House of Lords
from ten in the morning till between three and four in
the afternoon; and immediately afterwards sat at the
Rolls from six in the evening until ten, or half-past ten ;
to say nothing bf the time which it was necessary to
devote out of Com t to the consideration and examina.
tion of the important matters which he had to decide.
The universal approbation expressed by the Scotch (a
people not easily deceived, whet e their rights cr interests
are involved, and who at first were rather dissatisfied
that their concerns should not be the peculiar cats of
Lord Eldon) of the decisions of Lord Gifford, in the
House of Lords, is a conclusive proof that he was equal
to the highest judicial duties.
As a Judge, he had all these qualities which best
became the Judgment Seat; cautious, circumspect,
'mild, patient, free from bias, open to conviction, quick
In apprehension, acute and accurate in reasoning.—
Whenever the facts were complex, or the evidence con-
fused and contradictory, or the authorities numerous or
obscure, and the distinctions between them subtle, there
WAS no degree of labour from which he would shrink,
that might enable him to be fully master of the case, or
of any former decisions which might hear upon it.
_ .

His private virtues are best commemorated by the affection and
regret of his surviving friends; and all were hi. friends who were
brought into contact with him; for he was a man wl.o had not one
quality which was not fitted to attract liking,or inspire regard.

Mr!. CANNING arrived in town about five o'clock
yesterday afternoon from Brighton.
Forty villages in Hindostan, containing about 4000
inhabitants, have publicly renounced heathenism, and become con.
setts to the Wesleyan millenaries.
Halifax 'Papers have brought an account of the re-
ception of the Earl of DALHOUSIE on his return to his
Government in Nova Scotia. It was of a most gratifying
nature, all classes uniting to testify their attachment in
an address of congratulation. The Bishop of Nova
Scotia had been visiting every part of his Diocese, and
had been treated every where with Mb highest respect.
—The fullowintOrder has been issued by the Govern-
ment for exacting'the same rate of duty on the cargoes
of American ships Entering the port of Halifax, as is
charged on die cargoes of British ships in the ports of
the United State:: Halifax, Aucust 6.
At a Council held at GOvernment House on the 28th of July, 1826 ;
present, his Excellency the Lieutenant Goverrwr, etc.
Ilis rxcellency informed the Boat d, that he had received a re.
preserAtion from the principal Officers of Isis Majesty's Customs,
that British vessels entering the ports of the United States, were
not only subject to the tonnage duty imposed upon American vessels
1:1 this port, but were also liable to discrisninating duty of tea per
cent. upon their dtsties and their ca►goes.
His' Eteellency, by the advice of his Majesty's Council. directed
that the Collector of his Majesty's Customs should exact a similar
discriininadkig duty of ten per cent. upon the duties on the cargoes
of American vessels entering the port of Halifax: being in con.
fit mity to his Majesty's order in Counbil on the Llat of July, rsa,
and the practice at present pursued in other Colonies.
IMPLItT D. GEOR(R.

Letters ii.ve been received from the Hand of Ascen-
sion to the 7.h of July, at which time the garrison were
all well, and the state of the Island was rapidly ins-.
tiloviog under tle judicious maaagturent of Lieut.Cul.
Niciloti.s, of the Royal
The Comet steam .boat, which has occupied so much
public attention, was sold by atiction at Gourock, on
‘Ve.lnetiay, for :311. ller boilers, which were useless,
except as ohl metal, scene exposed to sale at the same
time, and %vele puiclia:ed by Mi. S. MILLAR for 5001.
I,a,t week a pc son famed William Painter, upwards
of Unity year, kr+ aite, who has a wife And five childten,
Clerk to Messrs. Hervey, of St. Day, Cornwall, for the
:ast three years, eloped with a Miss Mary Tregoning,
4ged twenty-eight, who had been shop•woman in the
sAine eAablisliment alymt twelve years. The parties,
:.ad managed the intimacy that subsisted between them
.4 ith such secrecy, that no suspicion of it was etvertained
until Tuesday se'cuight, when they set off in a post-
chaise for Liskeard. It turns out, however, by some
detected letteis, that their intimacy was of some stand-
lug. It is supposed the fugitives have t 'ken the route
Plymouth for Gibraltar, t.f which place Painter was
:or Hedy a iebideat.
Accounts from Scotland and Ireland speak of the
favourable change which the late rains Lace had nn vegetation.
Meat will be abundance of after-grass, and three-fourtbs of the
putatot crop will be saved. alai 41,4 1411;•cf have falmi in prig,
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