The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-04-01

we naNo hcSCa ARAa my sf-'b
profoundly impressive than the, account
given by the Stafford correspondent OF the
London Meas of the death of MIR. Justice
Talfourd almost literally upon the Judgment
seat, and in the midst of charge Tor we
might say at its conclusion, for what more
could have been added to that production as
it stands y full of the most noble, the most
humane the most generous sentiments. The
correspondent states that his Lordship ap-
peared in his usual health on entering the
court. and had been out at six O'Clock in the
morning, enjoying morning walk. His de-
livery of his charge, however, was charac
terized by much hesitation, and he evidently
had difficulty in proceeding with his task.
He was presiding in the Crown Court, had
reviewed the calendar, and was directing at
tention to the number of charges of high
way robbery which it contained:
These crimes he said, " GOMEZ win not say
exclusively, but in the far greater majority of these
cases-from those districts which are the most rich
in mineral treasures, where wages are high, and
where no temptation OF want can for a moment be
set up as an excuse palliation for the crime
the contrary have obcerved in the experience
have had of the calendars Of prisoners tried at these
assizes-an experience, many Of you aware,
extending far beyond my judicial labors-I have
observed that in times of comparative privation
crime diminishes, and that when wages are high
and are earned BY a less degree of work, there is
a strong temptation to spend them in vicious indul-
gences, and that crime has increased almost In pro-
portion to the state OF prosperity by whlcn tne
criminals have been surrounded This consldera-
ton should awaken all our minds, and especially
the minds of gentlemen connected with those dis
trcts to see in what direction to search for RENE
dy for great evil 1t is untrue to say that the
state of education-that is, such education as can
be furnished by the Sunday schools, and other
schools in these districts-s below the general ave-
rage then we must search among some other
causes for the peculiar aspect oil crime presented
in these cases. cannot help myself thinking 1t
may be in no small degree attributable that sepa
ration between class and class, which is the great
curse of British society, and for which we are all
more or less, in respective spheres in some de-
gree responsible, and which is more complete In
these districts than in agricultural districts where
the resident gentry are enabled to shed around
them the blessings resulting from the exercise OF be-
nevolence, and the influence and example of active
kindness. it.
q am afraid we all of us keep too much alooffrom
those beneath us. and whom we thus encourage to
look upon us with suspicion and dislike. Even to
our servants we think, perhaps, we fulfil our duty
when we perform our contract with them--when
we pay them their wages, and trust them with the
civility consistent with our habits and feelings
when we curb our temper and use violent ex-
pressions towards them. But how painful is the
thought that there are men and women growing up
around US, ministering to comforts and necess!
| ties, continually inmates of our dwellings, with
whose affections and nature we are as much unac-
Quainted as if they were the inhabitants of some
other sphere. This feeling, arising from the kind
of reserve peculiar to the English character does,
| think, greatly tend to prevent that minging of
class with Glass; that reciprocation OF kind words
| and gentle affections, gracious admonitions and
kind inquiries which often, more than any book ed.
ucaon, tend to the culture of the affections OF the
heart, refinement, and elevation OF the character
OF those to whom they are addressed And 1t |
were to be asked what's the great want of English
| soc1ety--to mingle class with class-I would say,
in one word, the want is the want of sympathy"
1t was while giving utterance to these
most impressive truths that the audience be-
came alarmed by the changed aspect of the
venerable speaker. His head fell on one
side; he was seized with apoplexy. As
quickly as possible he was removed to his
lodgings, where the best professional assist
ance was called in, but he breathed his last
the moment he was laid ON his bed. The
event produced great CONSERVATION and the
deepest regret.
In a sketch of the life of this great and
good man, the London Times says: "He was
| law al "a a1o2- poet' 1utTo vas III
him " singular blending of many intellec-
tual properties, seemingly diverse, in one
Harmonious whole" 1--WE question if anv
man in the records of the bar, who lived
! so correct life of legal industry, ever won
| so much distinction in literature as the author
of Ion Distinguished in the House of
Commons, distinguished on the Bench, and
| distinguished as Poet, he was still more en-.
deared to his friends by his personal anna
bility, which was one of the most marked
features of his character "The only
pang,' says the Times, (which he ever
caused to those who had the happiness of his
friendship was by his untimely death"
Justice Talfourd worked his own way to his
| eminent position. The London Times states
that at one period he was reporter for that
| paper.