Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-02-16
nj IS C K l. l. A N Y .

Despite of many drawbacks, Norbury was very
extraordinary man. Short and pursy, with grew
laughing eyes, he had the singular habit of pulIug
out his cheeks between his sentences. To :hor-
ough knowledge of the world he added, what per-
haps that very edge would create, as thorough
contempt for 1t. The conventional gravity of the
Judgment seat put to flight by such expressions
as, 'CoIne, MIR. Everard, muir your demurrer -
and OF course his Court adopted its chief example
Ii could not well be otherwise. His very lauoh
was infectious. A stranger passing through the
hall, could at any time have distinguished the Com
mon Pleas by the incessant merriu.cnt which is
sued from its portals. OF that Court at nisi prns,
particularly in summer, it is difficult 10 convey al
adequate description. As matter of course il
was always crowded ~ the very ceiling, with an
atmosphere to match. In this above all thinn,
Norbury delighted, with the exception of the heat
There he was in his glory, good humor personiied,
putting, punning, and painting, till his face became
a half moon. At last, griled beyond all endurance,
off went the gown, and the tail of the wig reversed
hung over his forehead. But suffer as he minbt
there was about him n blandness which it was i,c-
possible to rufie. He was often severely tried
Amongst the many por,ents which distinguished
! his Court, was poor nono-manac, whose delu-
sion was, that he was the ChefJusice Long and
good naiuredy he tolerated, ill, when at last
he threatened 10 depose the impostor from tine
bench, the tardy mandate might be heard Jack
son, turn Lord NOrbury out OF c0urt'' non-suit
was never heard in his time. Some people rave a
reason forit; Norbury gave another. ratherdierent
but less serious. As constitutional Judge he would
not take case from jury. Il hope my Lord -
| said COUNSEL Gin actually commanding il \
'your LOrdship Will, for once, have the courage to
| non-sut." In a moment the hair-trGrers were
summoned "Courage-I tell you what, Mr.. Wal
! lace, there are two Kinds of cuuIace-courace TO
Shoot and courage TO shoot, and hope to have
both-but non shoot | certainly will not; and no
|
inveterate punser, and first rate one too if. ac
cording to Swift, the worst are tho best Bitter
things, however, at times he said and things TO be
| remembered, There was gentleman of high
rank once tried before him for arson He was ac-
quitted-not, however by the verdict of the mob
who in defiance Of the jury, called his house MOS
| cow" The first place in which Lord Norbury
and he met after trial, at n levee. ''IIow dc
you do, my Lord" elbow do-how do-ciad tc
meet you here" Paying my farewell visit as q
bachelor, my Lord, Pm going to become Bene-
Dict" "Gad to hear it, Mr.. G.. Saint Paul says
you know, better marry than burn"
It's singular enough that with good humor ever
in his looks, and merrlment also ever on his lips
this mans nature was obduratc and callous liz
had no sympathy for human suffering, no fcelin
even for himself. He valued not his life at a PIN.
fee, and it was as dangerous it was difficult e
provoke him. His friends knew this and the fac
gave rise TO an incident in which his shrewdnes
and determination blended huinOrOuSIy. 1UwaTd
the Gle c Of life, when the failure of his facu,iic!
became manifest, the then VicerOy, the Marquis o
Wellesley, decided on giving him hint TO resign
through the well known Uuder-Sccreiary Mr.. Gre
CORY. Norbury got scent Of t, and instantly wa
his decision taken. He sent for Gregory led hin
to his library and, as he turned the key, assume,
that fiery scowl with which Gregory was familiar
as portending mischief Gregory, / have lon
looked upon you as my Oldest friend. and seyere
now am about to test that friendship The mos
momcntous history of my life is at hand; | am a
bout to be publicly and grossly nsulted--I, VIII
never brooked even saucy look from any onei-
Will you believe it, Gregory, our monkey at tn
castle is actually mcditating a message to me to re
sign my office? Did you ever hear Of such auda
city! such poltroonery, too? OF course the feo,
won't fight. But my minds made up; his ruhia
messenger shall have my life, or never return vii
his own--not-not though he was my own brothe
Gregory, my old and valued friend. Will Won stan
by me2 The hairtriggcrs are as ready as in III
days Of Naper Taudy." That very day the privat
closet Of the castle TIE horror-stricken Greror
most respectfully declining the confidential mission
The blow, thus for the time averted. came at las
II came, however, in writing. All Norbury askc
=, was postponemcnt till lie could consult frien
The promise being glven--the friend was in Ind
'--end--s year was gained. At last. however, fal