Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-07-04
RIGHT HON. LORD LYNpHuRsT.

Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.
Who could have imagined, twenty years
ago, tiat the son of a citizen Of Boston would
fill the high and important Office Of Chan llor
Of England, or that one, in whose veins was a
thorough Infusion Of American and Colonial
blood, should take precedence Of all the
Lords, temporal and spiritual, with the ex-
ception Of his Grace Of Canterbury, and he, in
right of his office. keeper Of the Kings con-
science-visitor Of all hospitals and colleges
Of the Kings foundation-patroE of all his
Majesty's livings- guardian Of all lunatics,
infants, and idiots and Speaker ofthe House
of Lords! Yet SO it is.
"Th,rc is a tide in the affair. Of men,
Which, taken a, the food, lead, to fortune."
A destiny, that shade, Ways,
Rough-hew them as We Will
OF the truth Of these two remarks Of our
great poet, the history Of the presen, Chancel-
lor affords pregnant illustration.
Sohn Singleton Copely Baron LyndaWst)
was horn at Boston, in America, III l772. He
was the son Of John Copley, painter Of that
city who was esteemed for his virtue, and
distinguished by his talents in his profession
Mr.. Coplcy, the father of Lord Lydhurst, mag-
ried early in life. His lady was u Miss Clark,
whose father was principal merchant at Bos-
pany for the sale of their teas. MIR. Clark
acted in this capacity at time when circum-
stances rendered IL an Office critical and haz-
| ardous in the extreme. II is nccdcrs to ad
vert 10 the causes ofthat war. which ended in
the complete severment of The United States
: from the mother country. Suffice II, howev-
er. to say, that the exac;ien of the duties on
tea was one Of the principal causes Of that
event; and that the populacc of The city o.
Boston were the first to show the example OF
scizing the chests arrived in English ships, and
throwing thom overheard to avoid the pay
ment Of duty.
On this occasion, the Office held by the
maternal grandfather Of Lord Lyndhurst ne
cessarily exposed him to much odium, and
accordingly he, with his on-in-law, Mr. Cop
ley, deter aimed on quitting the United States,
and comisg to settle in England as an Amcri-
can Loyavi. Soon after the father of the
present ChAncollor settled in London, he be-
came a member of the Academy Of Painters,
and attracted considerable notice by several
works Of superior merit, and, among others,
the Death Of Lord Chatham and the Defence
Of GibraGcr, Mr.. Copley, however, soon DIS
covered that portrait painting, which recon-
mends itself to the personal vanity and the
household affections Of all mankind, was like
ly 10 be a more lucrative avocaticn than the
severer style Of historical painting and 10 the
| former he successfully dedicated himself, and
gradually rose TO fortune and reputation.
at the period Of his fathers settlement in
England, young Copley had arrived at suiii-
! cient age to be already initiated into the elc-
mental branches Of education. In the metro
| polls, Eowever, he was Gent 10 classical
school, at which lrc renained about seven
| Yeas whence, in the year 1893 or l79f, he
was sept TO Cambridge. ana entered OF Trini-
! ty College. the lcarncd mother Of Barrow,
! Newton, Bentley. and either eminent names.
Mr.. Copley had two distinguished contempo
raries at this period, at Trinity tho one, the
/ celebrated Porson tito other, Ir. Farish, at
terwards Professor Of Chemistry at the Uni
| vorsitv
| In his mathematical career he greatly dis
tinsuishcd himself, having been ono Of Smith,
matbepa teal prize mon and he obtained, IN
tho examination Cor the lirst degree, the high
station Of Senior wnnglcr, the first having
bcen assigned TO Doctor Butler, the present
| very learned Mister OF Harrow. Mr.. Cople,
took the. degree Of A. B. in the year 1924
Ho was then in his 22d year. Having re-
NAMED some further time at the University
and = Vacancy having oeeuusd,s the high