The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-24

probation with which the nomination has been
greeted by all the press of Great Britain. Though
we'll known politician and lawyer, and though
from that point possessed of deservedy high
reputation, the fame Of the Judge is chiefly
based upon his literary achievements, and a union
of in the several of an orator dra
matist, and advocate-em inence in any one ofwhich
roles is usually sufficient TO satisfy even the most
ambitious.
In the House of Commons Mr.. Talfourd repre-
sented his native town, Reading. His father, who
established there as a brewer married the
daughter of dissenting clergyman, Mr. Thomas
Noon, who had oficiated over an independent con-
gregaon, in Reading, for thirty three years, and
died three days previous to the birth OF his grand
son, which took place on the Goth Of January, in
the year 1895. After this relative he was named.
He passed two years at the Protestant Dissenters'
grammar school, at Mill Hill which he quilted for
the public grammar schoolof Reading, conducted by
Dr. Valpy Here he gave effect TO his prediction
for the Church of England over the dissenting com
munion of his early home the change originating,
it is said in his appreciation of the tolerance of the
former in which the love of the drama was not pro-
hibited. At Mill HILL too, the young man first
evinced those ardent feelings the popular side
by which he has shown himself on many occasions
to be animated.
The first publication was poem addressed to Sir
Francis Burdett ON his release from the tower
While still at Reading school he encouraged to
print small volume entitled "Poems on various
Subjects" the first being "On the Education of the
Poor" and written at Mill Hill, on the occasion of
avisit to that establishment by the celebrated Joseph
Lancaster. The other contents of the volume are
Gan Indian Tale" "The Offering of Isaac, a Sacred
Drama,'' and specimens of a "Didactic Poem on the
Union and Brotherhood of Mankind" These effu-
sions gave indication Of what might be expected
from the ripper genius of the man, especially the
Poem on Education, which gained him some nfu-
entail friends, by whose advice, ON his coming to
London to study for the bar in 1918, he became
pupil of the celebrated pleader Gritty under whose
able instruction he continued four years, during
which period he considerably assisted that eminent
lawyer in the production of his we'll known work
"Criminal law
From this period he became a constant writer,
having produced some half dozen pamphlets which
at the time attracted much attention, though now
their fame is obscured by the brighter reputation
many of his subsequent works have acquired In
1915 he published estimate of the Poetry of the
Age, in which he expressed the, at that time most
Questionable admiration of the works of Words
worth. Having left the office of Mr. Chitty in 1877,
he wrote with assiduity, contributing much to
the Retrospective Review and the Encyclopedia
Metropolitan. The London Magazine, the Edin-
burgh and the New Monthly about this time received
many of his best articles; and in 1926 he published
a biographical sketch Of the celebrated romance
writer, Mrs. Radcliffe In 1921 he called to the
bar, having, in the mean time, made important add
ditions to legal literature, and acquired val
liable practice.
The literary fame of Mr.. Talfourd will, however,
rest upon Ion two editions of which were published
about 1884, for private circulation. A notice in
the Quarterly Reuieto attracted universal attention
to it, and in 1886 it produced by Mr.. Macready
at Covent Garden. The success of both the actor
and author was decisive, and the play at
recognised as classic. In this country it had, at
once immense popularity, and in no small degree
contributed to establish the reputation of Mr..
Charles Kean. Mr.. Talfourd subsequently brought
out the tragedies Of the ''Athenian Captive and
"Glencoe." He is also the author Of [" Vacation
Rambles," /" Life of Charles Lamb &c. In Par
lament his exertions 70 amend the law of copy
right will be long remembered for the brilliant
speeches with which they we're accompanied. He
was not, however, frequent speaker in the House,
though always able to command the eager atten-
ton of honorable members.
He was first returned to Parliament member
for Reading, at the general election that followed
the dissolution of 1894. In politics he is liberal,
and has declared himself in favor of the ballot.
In 1922 Mr.. Talfourd married Rachel, the daugh-
ter of John POWELL Rutt, esq. Amongst the more
intimate literary friends of Mr.. Tafourd (many Of
them now no more) may be enumerated Haztt,
Goodwin, Coeridge, Wordsworth, Leigh Hunt,
Proctor, BARRY Cornwall,) Bulwer, Knowles,
Macready, and Dickens. The latter dedicated his
'Pickwick Papers to him.
Many lovers of literature will possibly regret the
removal of Mr. Talfourd to the bench, from APP
prehenson lest, in his exalted station, he should
forget his previous labor of love. For such APP
prehension there is little grounds, when
member his industry, and recall how valuable
were the contributions of the great Sir William
Jones 10 science and literature when in a similar
position. The appointment is one which reflects
great credit on the British government, and in no
small degree atones for much Of the ill-dcserved
patronage it is charged with squandering prodigal-
ly on worthless recipients.
leading English paper pays the following high
tribute to the standing of the new Judge:
Z" The announcement that the leader of the Ok
ford circuit, Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, had been APP
pointed to the vacant judgeshp created feeling of
satisfaction amongst the bar which il would be iIn-
possible 10 describe. From the new leader TO the
junior there not single member who did not
seem TO rejoice il the promotion OF the learned
sergeant had been the uppcrmost wish of his heart.
We believe that other leader was ever 30 truly
loved, admired, and respected by his professional
brethren All loved him for his genuine goodness
Of heart and kindness of manner. He never said
an unkind ungenerous thing of or 10 anybody.
Even to a witness he could not have retorted UNI
kindly or harshlyj and never had recourse TO
what Is commonly called the brow beating system.
He so overhowed with the milk of human kindness
that even IL he would he could not do such thing
He was admired for his thorough knowledge of his
profession, (or that he possessed beyond all doubt
notwithstanding the common cant OF plodding
dolts that genius is unfit for drudgery,) for his gen.
cral literary requirements, ready fancy, and great
eloquence; and was respected for his honesty, pu.
rity of thought, love OF justice, and, in short, all
those cognate qualities that contribute 70 compose
the character Of AN advocate of the highest order
his freedom from and dislike Of those character
istcs which would have qualified him for doing the
general business of such great city firms that OF
sQuirk, Cannon, and Snap In fact, IL was well
known at the bar (and these things may be men
toned now, he is beyond the reach of attorneys)
that the slightest suspicion that his had tine
ture Of fraud dishonesty rendered his advocacy
less efficient than his clients expected, and adver-
sares frequently took advantage of this failing,
which, like all Others leaned 10 virtues side