New-York tribune., 1868-05-11

his capacity of attorney general for the queen, be
managed this celebrated case with extraordinary adj
dress and ability. His eOqucnce on this occasion has
seldom been eQuaed. While he compelled the aban-
donment of the suit on the part of the Government,
he became the object of the warmest popular enthu-
siasm. He was acknowledged as the leader of the
House of Commons maintaining his supremacy IN
that body for many successive years.
Among the labOrs Of Mr. Brougham in the interests
of popular education during this period, are his
eXertiOns for the establishment Of the London
University in 1926, and of the Society for the
Diffusion of Useful knowledge in 1921 From lo!o
to 1890 he devoted his mastery energies, III great
measure, to the promotion OF law-reiorm' the
abolition of colonial slavery, and OF the corporation
and test acts.
In 1880 he resigned his seat for Winchelsea, in con-
sequence of a disagreement with his patron, tho
MARQUIS of Cleveland, but was Immediately returned
for KnaresborOugh Upon the accession of William
". he was a successful candidate for Yorkshire
During the canvass he spoke at eight different cleo
toral meetings in one day. and travelled less than
hundred and twenty miles by stage.
Upon taking his seat in the new Parliament, he
was at once elevated TO the post of leader of the Re
form party and the formation of Earl Grey's
ministry in 1880 after several subordinate offices had
been urged on his acceptance, he was created Lord
Chancellor of England His judicial course was
marked by singular promptitude and energy in the
dispatch of business and the introduction of several
important improvements in the procedure, especially
in the law of bankruptcy In the House of Lords
he continued his strenuous abors for the reform of
Parliament until the dismissal of the Wing ministry
in 1884. which brought his official life to close.
After that time he assumed an Independent position
in the politics of England and often subjected tho
measures of the Wings to avgOrous criticism, though
adherng to liberal principles in the MAN, and never
losing his interest in the of popular education,
the abolition of slavery and religious freedom.
In 1889. he retired to the beautiful villa called
Louise EleonOre in the South of France overlooking
the Mediterranean where of late years he passed the
principal part of his time. lie was married in 1919,
and Lady Brougham has been dead several years.
The only child of this marriage was a daughter, who
lived only to the age of seventeen.
Lord Brougham always cherished deep interest
in literature and science and his aptitude in that di-
rection would have made him conspicuous among the
scholars of his day had not his faculties been pre-
occupied by the absorbing claims of politics and the
law Among his most important published works,
in addition to the collection of his speeches. are a
view of Sir Isaac NewtOn's Principal an annotated
edition Of Paley's Natural Theology and
Sketches of Statesmen" and of Men of Letters
and Science in the time of George III. Several
volumes Of his Political Philosophy have been
published, besides numerous minor Works that are
less known.
The basis of Lord Brougham's distinction was the
union Of rare intellectual yigor with wonderful tai
ent for execution. He was neither philosopher nora
poet lie was destitute Of the creative power which
eplarges the domain of thought by the introduction
Of new ideas. and tempts the excursions OF fancy ~
the charm of original images. lie was an acute OBJ
server of men and ofacs an analyst Of considerable
refinement and even subtlety, bold and eloquent
asserter Of his own convictions and within limited
sphere a courageous champion of human rights. But
the secret Of his strength lay in his untring power
of action He appeared to perform with ease the
work of twenty men. He never at
rest even in extreme old age. The tbers
Of his brain had the toughness Of tempered steel No
strain could be laid upon them from which they did
not rebound His native smewdness often stood him
in good stead when the labored deductions of more
reflective and wiser men were at fault His sense and
energy were ever perneated and yiyfed by bound
less audacity. Naturally one of the most unscrupu-
lous of men, certain rude feeling Of justice and an
instructive human sympathy, kept him within the
sphere of moderation and prOprcty. Under other
circumstances, he might have been Catiline on
Danton but Oh the whole the elements were 50 hap
pily blended in his composition, that he will be
membered not only as a man Of marvellous intellec-
tual endowments, but as a public benefactor. lie
had high duty TO perform in his day and genera
ton and he has accomplished Vt in manner that
will make posterity his debtor