The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-02-24
Whetling Reaister.
IRISH LAWYERS.
Anecdotes o. the Lord ChRnceIlOrs
Decentralization Of Irish Life.

OIL Ireland-Inciden OF Irish Life.
An Irish barrister, Mr.. | Roderick
OFlanagan, has just published in Lon.
don an interesting work in two volumes,
entitled "The Lives Of the Lord Chan
cellors and Keepers of the Great Seal
of Ireland, from the Earliest Times to
the Reign Of Queen Victoria The
book shows evidences of the author
careful research, and is valuable as the
historical compliment OF Lord Camp
bells Lives Of the English Chancellors
while the vein Of pleasant humor which
runs through its pages makes it attrac,
tive to the general reader.
A curious bit of literary gossip is con,
tanned in one of the opening chapters.
Twenty-Five years ago, it appears, Mr..
O Flanagan began to collect materials
for this work, but on hearing of Lord
Campbells undertaking waited upon
him to offer the use of his papers. His
lordship CURLY replied that he was
himself preparing book on the Irish
Chancellors, and was not in want of Mr..
o Flanagan's aid. This gentleman
gave up all thoughts of proceeding till
after Lord Campbeirs death, and then
made inquiries of the deceased lord $
representatives, who could find no trace
OF his having collected any materials
toward the Lives Of the Chancellors OF
Ireland. The idea had been in his mind,
and he was not willing that a young
barrister should complete what he
wanted time even to begin. II am go
ing on collecting materials Tor the Irish
Chancellors,' Lord Campbell wrote to
Mr. o Flanagan in 1916 IL think he
collected some books, is all his
daughter can tell Mr.. OFlanagan
about it-adding her cordial wishes for
this writer S success.
The author begins with the earliest
period and gives us sketches Of all the
occupants OF the Irish woolsack. In
the latter periods his story becomes a
history OF general government, Of poll
tics and the nationlather than Of indl'
viduals. OF the Chancellors Of the
reign Of the Georges there is no want
of anecdotes
/ incidentally, few OF the Old causes
csieJres are noticed. Among these is
the trial Of Mr.. Kimberley, in the reign
Of George the Second, tor the abduction
and marrying Of a young lady against
her will. Kimberley was capitally con-
victed, but was reprieved from Wednes
day to Saturday, which included the
day named for his execution. When
the term had run out, and the doomed
! bridegroom was hidden to get up and
he hanged, he declined, on the plea that
the original day having lapsed, he could
not tie hanged without new order OF
court. The sheriff was unwilling to run
the risk Of committing willful murder,
and appealed to the authorities. The
law officers, the lords, justices, Lord
Chancellor Wyndham and the privy
council discussed the matter. After a
world of debate it was decided that a re,
pricve was not a pardon, and that the
sheriff might hang his man forthwith.
Kimberley was perfectly SATISFIED when
he found that his execution w'Lid not
be contrary to law. AbductionS went
on nevertheless. There were clubs es-
tahlishcd for the purpose of promoting
| them. If an he!resS was in the market,
! lots were cast as to who should marry
her, with or without her consent. II
she rejected the proposal, the poor crea-
ture was harrassed, terrified and perse,
cuted, without ceasing, and, at last, was
carried off to where some diSreputable
priest was in waiting to perform the
/ ceremony.
/ BATCH OF ANECDOTES.
One OF the strongest minded women
Of her dav in Ireland lived when Lord
Jocelyn was chancellor, and Chester
| fold yyas yiceroy in the rpiun of GEORGE