The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-10
o BTU Al Y.
Lord Henry Brousham, Baron Brougham and
Vaux.

distinguished statesman whose name heads this
article. His demise took place at his beautiful villa
Louise Eeonore, situated near Cannes, France and
overlooking the Mediterranean Sea-
Henry Brougham, Baron Brougham and Vaux was
born in Ednburg, Scotland ON the 10th day of Sep
TENDER, 1779. This is the date as set down by all
writer's who have published biographies Of him, but,
singular enough, he does not appear to have been
certain of his own age II is related Of him In this
connection that in 1859 he remarked to the author
Of book OF peerages-"T perceive that you have
put me down as having been born in 177s." His
companion inquired If that was not the correct date.
al really cannot inform YOU" he replied; 81
am myself ignorant Of the precise time. You
should have ascertaned from my sister, who knew
all about it. Poor dear soul, she died a short time
ago and forgot to ask her before she WENT. What
ever truth there may be in this anecdote it seems
to be tolerably certain that, whether he knew the
precise date OF his birth or not he accepted the time
set down by his biographers, for we find him in De-
cember 1867, in letter addressed to M. Berger Of
France referring to his having attained his eighty
ninth year.
The deceased was descended from an ancient and
highly respectable Westmoreland family, and was
through his mother the grand nephew Of the
well known historian william Robertson. At an
early age he was sent to the High School and Unver
sy OF Edinburg, where he pursued his studies with
distinguished success Unlike the majority Of youths,
he was an attentive and laboriOus student
of the heavier and more profound branches Of
education, and was noted for his attention
to mathematics and physical science. Before
he had attained his eighteenth year, and something
like twelve months after his matrculation in the Uni
versity, he wrote and forwarded paper the 're'
fraction and reflection Of light" to the Royal Society,"
which, after perusa and consideration by that body
was assigned place In its transactions" although
the name and youth of the author were unknown.
The next year he wrote q second paper on the same
subject, and in 1898 third paper entitled General
Theorems, Chiefly Porism in the Higher Geometry"
both OF which appeared in the 'Transactions of the
Royal Society After leaving the Univer-
sty Mr.. Brougham travelled on the Con-
tinent, chiefly in Prussia and Holland, and
on his return to his native city was admitted
to the bar in 1900. About this time also he became
member OF the speculative Club" debat ing
society which numbered among Its members such
men as Jetfreys, Horne, Sidney Smith and others,
then comparatively unknown to fame but subse-
quently distinguished in the world of letters. In
celebrated Edinbu,0 Repte,c, to which periodical he
became regular and valued contributor. His value
to the Recfeto was admitted by the editor Jeflreys,
who wrote:-"After the third number he was admit
ted to our staff, and did more for US than anybody"
The ReUtel1 was established more as political
weapon than for its profits as commercial
enterprise but after its success was assured
the publisher voluntarily agreed to pay literally for
all contributions instead OF receiving them gratui-
tously as was at first intended. At this time Mr..
BrOugham's circumstances were somewhat limited,
and his abors for the Repieo added considerably to
his income 1t Is stated that about five years after
the periodical was started he became pressed for
money, and wrote to the publishers for an advance
In applying for the required amount five thousand
dOlars) he wrote that he felt no hesitation In making
the application, ''as he could soon clear it OF In
wglting for the Edtaouy Rerte,c." The money was
50 pr abor
exception OF TWO articles the entire contents OF
Volume XVII. were the productions of his pen, ana
must not omit to mention that in 1903 ne published
enquiry into the Colonial Policy OF the European
Powers" which attracted much attention and won
him quite prominent position IN the literary ana
historical world.
In 1907 Mr.. Brougham had already attained an en-
vable reputation as an advocate. During the same
year he went to London to plead the case OF Lady
Essex Ker, in a claim TO the dukedom OF ROxburg,
before the House of Lords. This case placed him SO
prominently before the people of England that he
became well known in the metropolis, and discover
ing that his prospects were likely TO advance the S0
was called to the bar at Lncons lnn and thencelor-
ward praclsed as barrister at the court OF Kings
Bench. In 1910 he was counsel before the House OF
Lords for body of English merchants who conceived
themselves injured in their business by the orders OF
peror Napoleons Berlin and Milan DEGREES.
on this occasion he spoke for ave s hours
was remarkable for its eloquence, vigor and con-
vncing argument. The leaders of the wing party
gave him their assistance and patronage, and In
1910 he was through the influence OF his friend, the
Earl of Darlington elected to the House Of Commons
as the representative OF the "rotten" borough OF
Cameford At the very start he became conspicuous
for his violent and vehement attacks upon the gov
| eminent and the tory party, then In power. Here
his energies were chiefly directed to the slavery ques
S sonesSd as% cannns a
the general election, but failed to obtain seat, and
was consequently absent from Parliament for four
wears. In 1916 he was elected member for Wnchel-
sea and signalized himself by his opposition to the
| passing Of the measures known as the Six Acts.
ISL ne m as inr the
famous trial for libel in which the Prince Regent was
plaintiff. His speech on this occasion was SO Diiter
and sarcastic that II even worse than the libel
ITSELF and was never forgotten or forgiven BY the
Prince.
yet to come. Although he would under any crcunl,
stances have become one Of the most distinguished
men of his age and have left brilliant name pc
hind II is doubtful II his fame would ever have been
so great had the trial OF Queen Caroline vile OF
George the Fourth made him, as 1t were, the cyn0-
sure OF all eyes, He was Attorney General for the
Queen az the time Of the proceedings, and in that
capacity he had the management OF the defence. In
funlling the duties Of ms ONCE ne delivered Two ,v
trial for divorce and the other before the Privy
Council in the argument for the coronation. While
the sympathles of the English people were undoubt
edIy with the most wrongfuy prosecuted Queen, IL
IL equally true that the influence produced by these
two speeches was as lasting as II was electric
fu that the most formidable prosecution ever known
In English law, although supported by the court and
government broke down and was abandoned. After
the trial he became the popular IDOL and until the
reform crisis OF 1880 was the practical leader OF the
House OF Commons, where he distinguished himself
as debater and as the constant advocate OF legal
and social Improvement. His position, as Attorney
General for the queen gave him for time prece-
dence at the bar, which precedence he lost by his
Majesty's death; but in 1927 he was permanently
invested with the silk gown. Early In the year 1880
Mr.. Brougham resigned the seat he then held In
Parliament for Winchelsea) In consequence OF dis
agreeing with the wellington ministry on the qes
ton OF reform; but he was soon after returned ior
Knaresborough and remained its representative until
the dissolution Of Parliament, consequent upon the
death OF George ". and the accession OF William W.
while representing Knaresbor0ugh he took leading
part In the struggle for Catholic emancipation He
al the same time followed his profession as barris
ter having large practice and leading numerous
remarkable against Sir James Scarlett both In
London and on the Northern Circuit although at
that time through the enmity OF George W., he had
not the professional advantage OF the SILK gown
Afer the dissolution Of Parliament Mr.. Brougham
sought the SURFACES Of the electors OF York and was
elected by decided majority. This was great and
decided triumph for him. as II was thought that this
w