The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-01-13

Robert GrahacHE RIGHT HosoaAsIs SIR e 10 20
10 which he Ne have to record the death OF or
Lived as the. father Of the English Bar, u
~ .ns B,nas for some years with propriety en-,
.ovv,.sde oldest living barrlster. He was called
a.ar SO far back May l77l, and ranked
a. g his juniors, Mr. Justice Burrough, the Earl of
~ and Sir William Alexander the Nestors OF the
/6fesson.
YOf Sir Robert Graham it may be said, as of nine
'tenths of all eminent lawyers, that he made his own
way. His honors and his wealth were won by his
own industry, talents, and honorable conduct HIS
family, however, was good, although not rch lie
was descended from scion of the noble house whose
name he bore and whose actions throw such lusue
on the history of Scotland. His ancestor was George
Graham, Esq, of Calendar, second son of William
Lord Graham, by Lady Ann Douglas, eldest daughter
of George fourth Earl of Angus, and brother OF VIII
lam first Earl of MonIrose. He had therefore sufh-
Gent blood
" to him with a noble name,
And share the glory OF The Gieme."
We are not aware at what time his more immediate
foreatfers crossed the Borders but his father settled
at Dalston, near Hackney where he kept school.
His son Robert was born in the year l743, and re-
ceived from his father his early instruction and IN
the year 1852, sent to Trinity College, Cam
bridge. He was here distinguished In every
branch pf his studies; and not only enjoyed high
Reputation for classical attanments, but was third
Vrangle at the examination for his Bachelors de-
zee, IN 766. He soon after elected fellow OF
college, and in 1913 he took his Masters de-
u themean time he had entered himself at the
Im Tmple, and was called to the Bar on the 10th
lAy, I'LL. His success, however, was not I'M
,,hheSte. He joined the Norfolk Circuit, and chose
sne surs Of Chancery and Exchequer as the prin-
c!pai IA Of his exertions-for in those days the div
sons gal labor were not so strongly marked as
$3.50 but he found for many years no great en-
,~h;nls and had TO encounter those difficulties
nrs on gcsrally attend the want of professional
s.d .oc,,on- HIS industry and abilities, however,
:. 80 , woa him clients, and he was so fortunate
W. sa'n tne favor and confidence of the Prince OF
nsS a. the period OF his professional career when
nJ s as oioyaty could be of most service to him;
n. al.eI ABOUT twenty years probation, honsrs pro-
n - i1as 'U ,Sss merits flowed in upon him.
torn.u %, seJlnce OF Wales appointed him his At
coursys Jene,al snd silk gown { llowed as of
Coils, nc Mas uasso recorder of Oakhampton and
this tisa 20 me University of Cambridge, and from
Courts q E"ray In me nown as "a leader IN the
those s will bR sas Of the cases IN
time, Sir John Scott Sir John MitfotHocates pf ,Jf
Mr.. Richards and others and although his practice
was never SO great as some Of these yet he kept his
ground very creditaby. II is also to be mentioned,
that he commanded the Temple Volunteers
In $780, died Mr. Justice BuIler-a man not easily
to be replaced leaving vacancy on the Bench of
the Common Pleas; and Mr.. Graham probably con-
sidesed that ne did not overrae his deserts when he
aspired to fill this place. Lord Loughborough then
Chancellor swayed the destinies OF the Profession
but was understood that he had another person in
his eye TO fill the vacancy. Under these circum-
stances, the Prince Of Wales, whose festivities al
Carlton House Mr.. Graham had often shared once
more stood his friend His Royal Highness drove
down to the Court of ChsRcery r~nnesi.d nm inter
wrlrth1 Chancellos, and begged hun to appoint
his Attorney General the situation. Ii is sad that
Lord Loughborough received the application with
some surprise but after little reluctance acceded to
the request. Mr.. Baron Chambre accordingly
removed into the Common Pleas, and Mr.. Graham
after receiving the preliminary dignity of the coif
created Baron Of the Exchequer, and soon after
wards knighted. Mr.. Gibbs afterwards Sir Weary
was appointed Attorney General TO the Prince.
Sir Robert Graham JUDICIAL life now commenced
and lasted for thar quarter Of century and
during this long period he merted and obtained the
respect and affection o. the profession large His
legal information wasconsIderable, particularly on
the law of thes arr his judgments, if not entitled
TO the highest character, must always have conside-
rable weight. His banners were formal but partlcu-
larry Courteous an In his latter years he might have
been pointed out asa model of old English gentle
man He rctaisd his faculties both Of mind and
BODY nearly 10 ue day of his death. His tall form
he held erect alr,ost TO the last and very recently
on his coming ito the Kings Bench to take the
oaths his hale ppearance was generally remarked.
On this occasId the whole Bar rose on his entrance
In testimony o their respect.
Mr.. Baron traham closed his professional life by
retiring from the Bench in Hilary Vacation 1927
He probably egan to find the duties Of his situation
too on rous o him. but IL is to be recorded that in
his 80th year shortly before he retired he tried the
cause Of Tn King Us. MoRtagu, which lasted three
days, and inwhlch motion for new trial was after
wards refusd. n
In 1894, Sr Robert Graham was sworn Priyy
Counclllorl mark of favor shown him by his pre-
sent Maiesg. He has for some time lived in retire
ment nj Ktgston upon Thames, with two Of his ME-
ces and ie died at his house there on the 18th of
Scstembe last, aged SO. Sir Robert Graham mar
ried earlyln life, but left no issue.
SmpwaEcKs.-Rocket Erperiments.-A consider
able corcourse of respectable persons comprising
most OF he principal shpewners of the port, assem-
bled at he citadel TO witness a series of experiments
Rsttuta for the purposes of asceralnng the pratica
b,hty afiording assistance 10 wrecked vessels or
vessel in danger lee coast, by establishing
COMMUNICATION TO from them by means OF lines at
tsche to rockets. These experiments were we un-
dcrstnd, in the first instance suggested by A. c.
Carts Esq, the soreseeper at the garrison and were
carrrd into effect by means of subscription ship
ewrers and others The spectators were admitted
BY icket Six rockets, each having strong line at
tacied the end Of the stick were fired IN success
$40, from plot-boa stationed IN the Humber. of the
citldel TO two buoys placed beyond a sloop moored
at distance from the shore. The wind was M tho
tine very rough and boiserous, blowing from the y
W. The first two fell near the vesse, aimed nj The
third went completely over her and established a
communication; the other three were fred with GREAT
prccis at the buoys; and il a vessel had been sta
toned these buoys, would have sccecied n effect
ing a communication. number Of rockets were
then fired from the shore at vessel moered at about
100 yards distance, very large proportion Of which
crossed The rigging of the vessel Rockets were then
nref NJ different degrees of elevation TO exhibit their