New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-07
LIFE PEERAGEs.

Now and then the leading London Journals dis
cover what is commonly called a mare s-nest, and
make much of it. Just now, they are in full cry
after the abstract idea of peerage for life. Sir
James Parke, the senior puisne Baron of the
Court of Exchequer, an exemplary Judge and very
amiabe man. has resigned Office in consequence of
Lis advanced years, and retres into Otium cum dg-
nitdte which, the Lord Chesterfield informed
George Ill means Leisure with Pension. Hav
ing worn the ermine (snd received $4,000 u year
salary for over fifteen years, Sir James Parke
NOW Lord Wensleydale) will have a pension
of f3.5O0 for the rest of his life. 1t will
be remembered, with as much envy as admira-
tion, by our legal friends, that English Judge
ships-the ChancellOrshp excepted, being polit-
cal appointment-are permanent, terminable only
Oh the death Of the parties holding them that they
are very amply salaried, and that, after having
served for fifteen years, or being disqualified at any
period by permanent infirmity, each Judge can
retire on pension equal to two thirds of his full
salary This ombination-permanency of Office
large income, and liberal retiring allowances
considered in England to have the effect of tempt
practice in order to administer the law judicially.
b curious anomaly, the House of Lords,
chiefly comprised of very wealthy country gentle
men, actually is the Supreme Court OF derner ap-
peal in Cv,ry disputed equity or common law case
from the Superior Courts Of England Scotland,
and Ireland respectively, as for criminal cases
there is a regular Judicial Court. With gres
good sense, however, the peers, knowing nothing
of the law-at least not as much as would quality
them to decide legal points of Importance and sub
tlety-bave relinquished their right to sit as APP
peal Judges into the hands of the very few MEN,
hers of their body who generally designated as
''law lords" These are the Lord Chancellor for
the time beng-LOrd CranwOrth, at present; the
Chancellors, Lyndhurst Brougham and st.
LeOnards, and such other lawyers lord Camp
bell, Chef-Justice of England, for nstance) also
have been raised TO the peerage at his advanced
sge and with his constitutional dislike of all work
not actually imperative on him by the necessity
of the moment, Lord Lyndhurst rarely hears ap-
peals. This throws the labor upon CranwOrth
and st. LeOnards, BrOugham being nearly always
absent, and Campbell, usually in another court.
To make the duty, therefore, of more certain
performance, measure was introduced, the year
be re last, appointing two eminent lawyers one Of
whom is perhaps now the most distinguished equity
lawyer in Engand-Sir Knight Bruce-to assist
the Chancellor in appeal cases. They are not, how
ever, given voice in the decision though of course
except in rare cases their judgment is of equal in
fiugrca az thaVh ai IL saJ
vantageous to add another law lord with ample
experience and great legal requirement to the
small number of the law lords, and Sir James Parke
was selected as best combining the two results of
public advantage and well-deserved individual re-
ward. Comment upon proceeding such as this-lar
from unusual where many of the existing peerages
of Great Britain have been given originally to
eminent lawyers, aud where the distinction may be
considered as even warranted, if not actually de-
manded, by the high character and long services of
the person receiving it-wOuld appear uncalled for
But the London press have fallen upon few words
in the patent which has elevated Sir James Parke
to the nobility of rank, and have thereby discovered
the mares nest to which we have previously re-
ferred.
1t appears that Lord Wenseydale's patent of
creation, (the Crown Office and Patent-Office
charges upon which will cost him exactly
t45U lbs. lOd sterling limits the duration of his
peerage to - his own natural lift" Here say our
l. ndon cotempOrares-here is the commencement
Of an organic change in the British Constitution
here, instead OF hereditary honor, title and power,
IS deserving man entrusted with all three for life
alone, without the right to transmit them beyond
himself Here the honor is granted TO worthy
man who has earned il, but is not endowed with the
power Of handing it over as he would an estate, to
'one heir who may abuse and disgrace there is
1 revolution by the commencement of establishing
ife-peerages
The fact is-and we are sorry to admit
anything 80 dispsroging to our brethren across