The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-01-29

a few boon companions constantly about
him, many OF whom, Ito the credit Of
his constancy) lad been the f'milars Of
his youth Stern as he was, he had
his hide vaniles Ike other men, he
wished to be thought to have more learns
ing than he possessed, and especially 10
be considered agreat proficient IN Greek
scholarship, in which his requirements
never exceeded mcdiocrity. He wa
not man of any genius or Imagination,
nor does II appear 10 me that he had
any grand or philosop'dc ideas Of the
enlightened principles ofjnrippdonee.
lie was mere strong practical NM,
adroit in the conduct of human affairs,
and troubled himself little about theo-
RES.
With all these defects, thcre was yet
something OF greatness IN his character.
There is greatness III decision, when
il IS under the direction Of sagacity. A
bold, Incorporating temper, IN ~
office Of high discretion, gives gran
denr: oven an oVerawng person, aud
voice, has some influence IN The con-
sttution of grandeur-Thcre have
been greater men IN the Office OF Chan
eelIor; but there have been many who
were far beneath HIM.
Weddcrhurnc, who at the same time
held the Office of Solicitor General, WIS
a very inferior man to Thurlow. lie
was Of sufficient birth beng, think,
tie son ola Scotch Lord Of Session. Of
a iumily OF some antiquity aud early
left the Scotch bar 10 seek fortune on
the wider stage Of England. lie cume
possessed Of many superficial scholastic
attainmontS with talents quick, subtle
and flexible. With no nice desire of
seli-aggrandizement, he gradually insinu-
aled himself into ,he road of notice aud
promotion, tleW born in 1893, aud
bud the advantage when he came to
London, ofhndng Scotchman prime
minister, and Seotchman chief Justice
Of the kings bench. But there arose
preludiccs, rs well as advantage, from
these circumstances. At tn Il tma there
was fierce cutlery against the Scotch,
which had been raised by Wilkes par
~; and thus Wedderburnc fell uudcr
the bitter lash Of Chufcmlrs satdeal
pen in the famous lines beginning,
hpcrt, prime prator ofthc Northern raee
Cult IN ms heart aud famine IN ms fac, 80,
But satire would not drive such MN
from his game he Wis guunt, intrepid,
and lndciJtigable in the road to ambition.
In III, he waa appointed SOLICITOR
general; and IN l7i5, when ThufloW
was made Chancellor. succeeded Inn a.
Auorney-gencral. Thcs0 are Offices,
which III times ofpolltcal fcrmcnl and
intrigue, require men who are some
thing else than lawyers. Wcddclbnne
WIS completely man of the world /,
OF lcmprr, talents, and requirements, al
Ittod for it; apoIltcion in rs Nulear
sense but lis best sense. His pliabIlliy
and readiness exactly fitted hun 10 The
tastes aud views of The ministry who all
opted hIm. More solid strength would
have awaited them better but this they
had not wisdom enough to perceive.
NedderbuIne WIS loilcd, and laid pros
trate by the PLAN ,ense of DR. Franklin,
at an examination before tho council.
| In truth, there IS an lmmCasulcabie dft-
| ference between adroItnuss and pr0iuu-
dity; between agility and strength.
PLAN, Simple, -l.e I, talm and comp posed
sense, viii aIWays putdowusopbsuy.
" C0dcIhufne W. one of those men.