Washington sentinel., 1854-04-01

Sir Charles Mansfield Clarke, bart. DR.. Hol
land, and DR.. knight; but their professional
assistance was of no avail, his lordship having
iaintiy groaned, breathed his last the momen
ne was laid on the bed The CONSERVATION
produced in court by the sudden seizure of hi
lordship, and the announcement of his dealt
Immediately afterwards, cannot easily be .des
crlbed. His loss is deplored by the bar, by al
the members of which he was beloved, and b,
the public at large. The awful event has cas-
gloom over the whole town.
Mr.. Justice Talfourd accomplished what i
falls to the lot of few men to achieve. He dis
tinguished himself in three departments law
literature, and politics.
A great poet writes:
20 vast Is art, so narrow human w.t.
one science only will one genius it.n
Mr.. Ialtourd proved by his successes thai
the lines of the poet are not Of universal appli
cation. As lawyer, he was distinguished for
learning and integrity. As a member of Par
Lament, he won proud name by his speeches
on the copyright question. His fame as an
author rests on no one work; but perhaps his
most distinguished literary production is the
classic, original, and elegant play of HIon.n
Early in life he was thrown on his own un-
aided exertions for livelihood, and com.
menced his career as a reporter for that great
newspaper, the London Times. His qualities
as man are thus sketched by the Times,
which contains a handsome notice Of him.
We only have room for the following extract:
!" II the homage of general regret can at all
assuage the severity of private and domestic
affiiction, the family and friends of the late Mr..
Justice Talfourd should feel that the calamity
which has fallen upon them is not without ale
Walton. Few men who have been SO long before
the public, and who have occupied SO promi-
nent station, have ever succeeded in securing
SO large and so sincere measure ofpersonal re-
gard as the man to whose character and attain.
ments we are now endeavoring to offer tribute
OF respect. Personal amiability was undoubt-
edly the most marking feature in Sir 7. N.
Ialtourd's character. In saying this we would
not be understood as endeavoring in the faint
est degree to detract from the well-earned rep
utation of the lawyer and Judge, or the more
graceful trlumphs of the poet and student. In
speaking OF Mr.. Justice Talfourd we naturally
refer, first, to that which was his leading char
acteristic; not only because it was so, but be-
cause, in our opinion, this quality of personal
amiability, when united with vigorous intel
iect, honesty of purpose, and manly industry,
Is among the rarest and the most valuable
quits bestowed by Providence upon human be-
ings Men of ability are met with at the cor
ner OF every street; men of great ability are
certainly no phenomena upon the stage Of life.
ANY man OF reasonably clear head, of deter
mined will, and settled disregard for the feel
lngs and fate Of those around him, may achieve
considerable measure of success as modern
society IS constituted. The success, however,
viii be one which will not attract the goodwill
OF his fellows while living, nor obtain for him
one word OF commendation or regret when he
is called away to another scene. where those
who have lived only for themselves here below,
no doubt attain exactly the reward which they
have deserved
Far different was the case of the kindly
warm-hearted man whose sudden loss we have
now to deplore. 1t may be said with truth of
Mr.. Justice Talfourd that the only pang he
ever caused to all who had the happiness Of his
friendship was by his untimely DEATH He was
as singularly constant in his attachments as he
was ready to attach himself to all those whose
qualities of heart intellect might seem to cha-
lenge his consideration and regard. The union
of the two qualities is rare indeed but it ex-
listed in him. 1t should perhaps be added, be-
fore we pass on to other points in his career,
that as genial and classic companion in his
convivial hours, when the hard labors of the
day were at an end, and the harder labors of
the night had not yet begun, few men at the
English bar OF in London society could COM
pare with him. A diligent student of litera-
ture, ancient and modern, he was ever ready
with the apt quotation or the graceful allusion,
SO much so that it was a matter of surprise to
all who knew him and were aware of the un-
dinching industry with which he applied him
self to the labors of his profession, how he could
find time for acquiring and keeping up so ex-
tensive knowledge Of literature. Even at
such moments, as in all others, the mirth of
Talfourd was that of gentle nature and
warm heart He was not of those who take
advantage of fsuperior wit or readiness to point
an arrow which, although shot in seeming
sport, may long rankle in the breast of
stranger or friend"