New-York tribune., 1879-11-08
CHARLES SUMNER IN LONDON

70 the EdttOr or The Tribune.
SIR: Charles Sumner had a great fondness for
the society aud friendship of titled and famous
people. In his this a natural and pardon
able ambition. 1t is believed of Moore that he
adored aistocrats mainly because his own birth had
been humble, and because his genius had enabled
him to pass the jealous barriers that protect the
great. In Moore the feeling like feminine
vanity IN Sumner il was lofty pride. For Sum-
ner was conscious of his power and had early pro-
posed TO himself a career of eminence-although
whether II was to be in law, letters or IN public
affairs not Northumberland he cultivated with
tact and with diligence the correspondence of lead
ing Englishmen. As time went by, his friends. the
great lawyers. were promoted to the bench, the
politicians came INTO power as Her Malesty's Secre
taries raised TO the peerage, the great
clergymen became bishops and his rela-
tons were established with the who
dominant in every field of dstinc-
tion. Sumner deserved the friendships he
had gained. for. besides having noble traits of
character aud solid abilities, he had been a hard stu
dent and had accomplished many Things He could
scarcely say with Lord Bacon. "I have taken all
knowledge to be my province" but he was n far
classical and good English scholar, a well-read
lawyer especially familiar with public law and
with the history and ethics of legislation, aud he
possessed an intimate knowledge of modern history
was shared 10y few men.
The statesman, lik. the chesS-payer, must study
his adversary's game as well rs his own and Sum
ner. while Senator and chairman of the Committee
on Foreign Relations. was constantly informed of
expected moves well as of the current events and
the phases of opinion abroad. Often it happened,
as Mr.. Whipplc relates in ms charming essay. that
a question prompted by him was put by some
friend III the House of Commons. aud upon that
was founded some important motion In our own
Legislature. IL i not TO be supposed that he was
always wise hut none of his rivals in the Senate
had the advantage of knowing. he did, the policy
and movements of opponents.
In June, 1857. Mr.. Sumner was IN London and
had a handsome suite of apartments in st. James
ST., not far from the palace l had been CHARGED
with message to him from Mr. Flower, then
Mayor of Standardization, a man OF great per
sonal worth and an ardent friend Of our country.
and especially of our great anti-SlaveTy leaders.
Mr.. Summers room was one FIGHT from the street.
and. going up the stairway met an old man with
piercing eyes and prodglousy hOmely features
coming slowly and painfully down. 1t needed but
glance TO recognize him as Lord Broughain. 4
day or two before / had seen him with Lord 81.
Leonards Il think and three four more "law
lords" sitting in the Upper House the highest
tribunal in the realm. / wondered then what con-
nectiOu there was between legal eminonce and per-
sonal uglineSs for such set of noses. prepos-
ferrous in shape some of them SO bulbous and wariy.
and all 50 brilliant in color; such beotliug eye
brows. such wide and flabby mouths, such curious
patterns OF wrinkled ornament on uniform
ground Of crimson. l never beheld. Our late
Chief-Justice Shaw somewhat remarkable
for his personal appearances but if he
did resemble an idol, as Choate said, he
was inhexiby placid after his grim fashion.
Of tlo ordo huff hoy al
like collection of vegetables whose growth had
been distorted by some freak Of nature. | shall
never cease to regret that my call made ten
minutes earlier; but, as 1t was. have an impress
sion never forget. 1t was look of power, not
greatly pleasing not at all winning but aggressive
and irresistible.
Mr. Sumner was IN excellent spirits, though not
IN firm health. After some desultory conversation
upon the friends in dear old Boston, he began to
speak Of some of the eminent he had lately met
He told me he was IN the House of Lords few
evenings previous in company with Lord Clarendon
and was introduced TO many of the notab!es, among
others to Bishop WilberfOrce, then of Oxford aud
aftervard of Winchester, the silveTy orator whom
PHn,h ncknamed Soapy Sam"
." told the Bishop" said Mr. Sumner, " that one
Of the pleasures had antic patcd in England was
10 bear him speak. aud that hoped some occasion
might arise at that sessionthat really could not
be content 10 return TO the United States without
having heard him. The Bishop was evidently pleased
bv the compliment. but said lie not prepared,
aud that he would not venture to deliver anything
crude IN the presence of such a critic. When l re-
newcd my wishes he courteously but firmly de-
clined. 4 f.w minutes later l met Lord Clarendon
an told hlm of the conversation. His lOrdship
smiled. and then with merry light IN his eyes ex-
claimed. lie tells you he won't speakP Yes re-
pied, he regrets that be is not prepared. Then
you mark my word. If the Bishop says that. you
will be sure to hear him. How is that 2 in
Qurcd. Oh, the Bishop Is an excellent man, but
he doesn't keep the eleventh COMMANDMENT NY
nsbles were excited 10y this time, and after broad
laugh said, The eleventh commandment PRAY
what is thatr '"Thou shalt not get found out"
Now. we kuoc the Bishop And, true enough"
said Mr Sumner. " the Jew bill came up, and the
Bishop did speak with extraordinary elOquence."
In speaking Of Lord Brougham and his brilliant
career Mr. Sumner expressed great admiration for
his talents aud gave him honor for the reforms he
had accomplished, bnt could not help seeing that
nearer view of the great man had been disen-
chanting. Lord Brougham had shown Mr.. Sum-
ner fattenng attention. and had taken him 10
the Bar dinner ana also TO church Gn West
minister Abbey beleve. The Bir dinner must
have been carouse worthier of the time Of Charles
H. than that of the severely decOrous Victoria. Mr.
Sumner. 1t is well known. had little sense OF the
ridiculous and not the least faculty of unbendine.
He would not have known what to do-aiter 10
oclock-with Burns or Fox or sheridan or Dryden.
He would have been shocked 81 the mad froiics OF
the Corinthians of hls native city generation
earlier The scene he witnessed should have been
sketched by Dickens. There We're all the dignita-
res in the profession but without robes and horse
hair. Judges nodded to barristers. and chancellors
aud masters bob-nobbed with rising solicitors.
After the cloth was removed and the few fornali-