The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-27

guithed success at the commencement OF his ca,
Teer though he lived to fill the Office of Lord Ad-
vooste, und TO attain the dignity Of the bench.
Before proceeding to notice In detail the literary
or professional career Of Mr.. Jeffrey, il may be
convenient to dispose of some Of the lees public
incidents Of bis life. He was married twice first,
in the year 1902, 70 Csihenae, daughter OF the
Rev. DR.. Wilson. Of st. Andrews; aud secondly,
in the year 1918, TO Charlotte, daughter OF Mr.;
Charles Wilkes, vt New York, and grandniece of
the welLknown Alderman John Wilkes, OF London
A very short time only elapsed after ne fixed his
residence in Edinburgh, wheni his political predi-
lections became developed quite on the popular
side. In the debating societies which were then
rife throughout many OF the towns OF Great
Britain, and, not least, In the metropolis OF Scot
land, the solution Of the great political problems
then at issue was discussed with an earnestness
and fervor OF which the continental movement In
lS4S produced in England but very imperfect
image. The Speculative Society and the Select
Society, IN which Lord Brougham and Francis
Homer took active parts, witnessed also the early
Trials OF Jetlreys yet Immature talents In the de-
bales oil those associations, his speeches were
almost as much distinguished by brllliancy OF
imagination and felicity OF expression, even the
more elaborate and better considered productions
OF his middle age. Many men amongst his rivals
OF that period possessed greater weight, more
vigor, possibly more logical constitution Of mind,
but in the quick and acute detection Of falacy, the
readlnnss OF debate or dialogue, he had scarcely
competltor and ever since the death Of the late
Sir James Macintosh, he must be regarded as
having peeh inc cOiOqulal champion Oh OTre1t
Britain. In the conversational qualities which ex-
Gle the admiration OF clubs and coteries, he ex-
celled much more than In the formal labors of well
considered arguments and set oraions.
But the great distinction between Francis Jeffrey
and all other men is, that for more than quarter
Of a century he conducted the EdnbMrg Rsriec.
From the year 1903 till the year 1928, ne was the
known ard responsible editor OF that celebrated
Journal Amongst the earliest of his literary
quainiances were Broughsm. Murray, and Sydney
Smith. TWAS by the last of these that the great
Rsrtsv was originated. He proposed TO the noble
and learned persons just mentioned that they should
unite with him In starting such publication, and
Of that journal Sydney Smith Was the first editor.
Mr. Smith, In the preface TO his collected works,
adverts to the more important legislative changes
which have taken place since that periodical was
first sent forth to the world, and with no nexc
bic sef-love lmpues considerable portion of those
important results TO the influence of that which he
regarded as the greatest journal in the world. But
III and out OF parliament there were men who as
sisted in accomplishing those changes, in greater
numbers, il not with superior vigor, than the no.
blemen and gentlemen who contributed their la
bois to the Edint,sg Rerie,o. Very soon after its
commencement, MIR. Smith ceased to be the editor,
and, as he himself says, '.placed its management
In the stronger hands Of Lord Jeffrey aud Lord
Brougham.'' The latter soon followed Smith to
London, when the sole responsibility and much Of
the fame Of the Reviec fell the share of Francis
Jeffrey. 1t is still publication of the highest
class, but towards the close OF the reiga OF George
III. and throughout the whole OF the regency, 1t
was, III worm Diltdln ledst, ''ltstH
M Jeffrey, however, was more concerned in the
literature. than In the politics of the Ed,nburg
RGrieW-in its philosophy and metaphysics, Its
taste and criticism, Its light literature and poetcal
Mackniosh, Smith,, and Brougham, in It's
earlier years, or Macaulay, Hallam, Brown,
and Play fair, IN its more recent days, have
contributed the weight OF their learning aud
eloquence. Amongst their most famous pro-
dsctions, however, we look ia vain for the inf
mite variety, acute criticism, and sparkling style Of
the leaned editor, TO whose versatile genius scarce
ly any department OF human knowledge seemed In
accessible. He Is at one time found examining the
nature and principles Of taste, next the mlscella:
neous works OF Jonathan Swift then the writings CT
Madame de Stael or Sameul Richardson, or Victor
Al6eri, and the life of Christopher Columbus then
the dramatic works Of John Ford, the charac-
ter's OF shakspeare's plays, the poetry Of Burns,
Campbell, Scott, Crabbe, Rogers, Moore, Sou,hey,
Wordsworth aud Hemans. In u succeeding quar-
ter, Perhaps he would engage the attention OF mis-
readers with the philosophy OF Reid or Pfesty, Of
Drumnond and Dugald Stewart; and with the no.
vel writer's OF the age-amongst whom the author
Of "Waveiley" necessarily occupied his pen and
Stimulate has powers OF nvestigation-he dealt By
the score or hundred.
Notwithstanding the almost unparalleled success
which attended the edinburgh Review" LIT.
srary journal, IT escaped not altogether unscathed
The prophecies OF ITS editor with respect to Lord
standing with Mr.. Moore--hke almost all literary
dues, did nothicg TO augment the dignity either Of
principals or seconds; and his treatment of the
Lake school Of poetry added little TO mis- fame or
authority. Still he he Id on his way as editor OF the
"Edinburg Review" till the year 2s2s. when he
resigned II into younger hands, and devoted his re-
naming years 10 that more lucrative calling through
which he eventually secured position of high
honor and Independence. He was chosen Lord
Rector Of the University Of Glasgow ia 1921, and
Dean Of the Faculty If Advocates IN 1928.
As the lawyers of England, Scotland. and Ire
land, usually work their way 10 the bench by first
fh.tr
Lord Jeffrey, towards the close Of the Duke OF
WelDeton's administration, took measures for get
ting into parliament at the earliest conyenen, oppor-
UNITY. To the first parliament Of King William Nv:
which met IN September, $50, he was returned
for The district OF bufghs that include Forfar,
Perth, Dundee, Cupar, and st. Andrew; but the
petition having been presented, the committee IN
seated INN On the 2'ih OF March In the following
year. The influence Of tins DISAPPOINTMENT was,
however, OF short Duration. for almost immediate
~ he took his seat Tor Malisa. Lord Fitzwillan
wss an earnest retormer; SIR James Scarlet, at
forwards Lord Abineer, represented the Ftxwil-
liam borough oi Nation, IN portion of the parla-
ment elected in 1880, and AZ Slr James had resolve
ed not 70 support Lord Grey's measure OF reform,
he fe bound In honor TO resign into the hands Of
Its PATTON the representation OF the place for which
he sat; hence the vacancy in 1881, by which Mr..
jeffrey was enabled 10 become the nominee OF
Lord Fiizwilliam. THIS seat he continued TO hold
TIL he latter end 81 ls32, when he was returned
Tor Edinburgh, and remained the represen taive of
that city for more than two years, his colleague
berg Mr. Abcrcromby, now Lord Duufermllne.
The four years during which Mr.. Feerey had q
seat IN the House OF Commons, form period dur-
Ing which hrs reputation was rather diminished
than augmented; AT all events, his fame with the
public became very httle extended sf that stage Of
hIs career. True, he mingled much IN London So
ciety, and rarely entered any circle IN which in
ttlectual conversation was os,eemed-whsre wit
and lively repariee, brilliant cisquistion, or subtle
philosophy, were appreciated without exciting I'M
qualified admiration. But Ian the House OF Com
mems he was too old to enter upon noviciatc,
nor was he able TO overcome in parliament the adj
verse influence Of great fame acquired out Of
doors. IL has grown into proverb, that the house
will have no fsvorites but II is own rearing. and
to that rule Mr. Jeffrey certainly formed no cxcep-
ton. HIS mncing tones and metsphy sicsl reasoning
we're any thing but acceptable to assembly 90 po-
pularly constituted as the commons OF England and
though he was listened TO with certain degree of
patience, he disappointed the expectations Of thos.
who conceived that the editor of the Ea,wbrvg Re-
ri,n must ssariy in Paramen, an auiher-
iy analogous TO that Of Burke, or other grest literary
men who have had influence in the councils IN this