Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-08-10
From the National Journal.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
oo@O~
FRANcIs JrEfNEY, EsQ.

rb;s DISTINGUISHED critic i native of Edinburgh
and the son of one of the Deputy Clerks OF Sessions
in Scotland. He was born on the 90 October, 10,
and was educated partly at the University OF oias
gov and partly at Oxford After completing h s.' co.
ucation he was called tothe bar IN 1870 IN iooi,
Mr.. Jeffrey married Miss c. Wilson, dausater OF
the Professor Of Church History in the University
of St Andrews; and after her DEATH married MISS
Charlotte Wilks of New York, the niece OF the ceI-
ebrated John Wilks, and has had by her one chlsd
He was an active member OF the debating societies
of Edinburgh in which he amused and improVedl
himself for many years. Of one these called the
Speculative Society, he was member, IN conjunction
with Brougham, lIorncy, Murray, and others.
NJ Jeffrey, notwithstanding the powers OF hls
mind, and his reputation as writer, was long tmt
in getting into practice, and 1t was not until within a
few years that he succeeded at the bar OF his ma
tive country, in manner commensurate with his
learning and splendid talents. In l8O2-3 ne became
the protector and Editor ofthe Edinburgh Review,
which has since been SO widely clrC ulated and so
Justly praised for the eioqucnce, learning yiyacty
and terseness OF the articles it contained. lie IS
considered as u criminal lawyer, or at the bar Of
the Criminal Court, unrlyaied and though his
pronunciation is very defective, beng mixture OF
provincial English and undigned Scotch, lbs elocu
ton so oyerpowerlngly rapid--hs illustrations SC
happyhls masses OF thought so successive, and his
flashes of mind so brilliant and dazzling, that all who
listen delighted, and look upon him as Of the
most gifted of speakers. There Is such playful
ness in his wit such richness in his imagination
and such choice and beauty in his EXPRESSION ans
such depth and force and energy in his reasoning
that no one can hear him without admiration IN,
delight. Mr.. Jeffrey is said, however, TO be deii
Cient in that faculty or power, csscnt al 70 an or
ator, Of exciting the sympathy, or rouslng the indy
nation of his hearers, and may, therefore he con
sidered as more Of a rhctoriclan than an orator.
But though "the magic he wields (says couu
tryman Of his, is not OF the high cast which make
the subject of Its workingthe conscious, yet willing
slave of the sorcerer, his Is a more cunning, ht
quite as elfectual a species Of tempting. lie ilatcl
the vanity of men, by making them believe that II
best proof of their own superiority will be the
coming to the conclusion which he has proposed
and they submit with servile stupidity at the vel
moment they piumng themselves on dispiaylr
the boldness and independence OF adventurous int
lect.' As critic, Mr. Jeifrey's merits are equal
prominent. He has struck cut an original mode
reviewing, which pleased at first by its novelty, al
which has for many years continued to please
the talent intelligence and power it dispayed-
There is, in his reviews, perhaps less of fine tas
than apparent bitterness of feeling, or keen or Inc
daunt sarcasm---less of classical beauty than
general learning Its object seems TO be to rcnt
the author reviewed lnlicrous and contempl
rather than to diliuse truth or produce new lisl
Ills reviews partake more Of the character of pc
teal and litetary dissertations than absolute cri
cisms, and the dictatorisl air of superiority wh
he assuines-thc terseness and poignancy Of his j
marks-the ease and fuency ef his style, and t
nonchalance and sang frotd with which he di-sc,
his victim, have conspired TO give 10 his article.
&est and influence which every reader Of them M
have felt and enjoyed.
Mr. jeffrey Is of a low stature, with face SIN
land swarthy, but full of yivaciy. His features
neither handsome nor otherwise---his iorhead for
the segment Of circle---his hair is black and wi
MS eye sparkling and animated, and his mouth
pressiye of great frmness and afllcnce Of mind