New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-23
CAREER AND CHARACTER OF LORD COLE
RIDGE

DESCENT AND EDUCATIONAL THE BAR IN PARLIA-
MEM ON THE BENCH AND IN SOCIETY.
The visit of the Chief of the Common Law of Eng
and Ia the United States is an event of interest TO
both peoples The eminent position which he oc-
cupies in England his learning and eloquence, marx
him as f subject for all the honor which the bar OF
America can pay. His career does not present many
remarkable points. He has had few or no obstacles
to surmount. and has thus pursued the ordinary
career of an English barrister of the first rank and
has arrived at the second highest point on The Eng
lish judicial bench with the common consent oil the
bar and the people of England.
Lord Coleridge bears name associated not only
with some of the masterpieces OF English literature
but with the legal history Of England for the last
century His grandfather, the lev. John Coler'dge,
yoodly Master and an author of some talent, still
lives in the recollectons of his DsvOnshire circle as
an eccentric genius lie kept a school. wrote books
and sermonzed his flock but all on novel method
of his own and his dissertation on the seventeenth
and eighteenth Books of Judges begins with we'll
written preface on the Bible and ends with an ad-
vertisement of his school and his method OF teach
ing Latin. kindly but absent-mnded man was
the Rev. John, who was the father OF Samuel raw
lor Coleridge the poet, and of the Right Hon. sir
John Taylor Coleridge the father oil the present.
Lord Cbief-Justice Sir John Taylor Colerldge
9tands
his own donors have been transcribed by those OF
his son He was one of the judges of the Court Of
Oneen,s Bench from 1885 to 1858. when he retired
fu,l of honors but still with nearly twenty years oil
life before him. His influence upon his sons career
must not be underestimated His own career as
LAWYER. a urist and judge was so distinguished,
extending over the whole period OF MS son 3
rise and training up to the very une OF
his ascending the bench, that 1t is impossible
to ignore the effect rightly estimate the influence
which such an example, together with constant
and familiar intercourse with mind ike that OF
SirJT Coleridge. mad upon the development and
prospects of John Duke now Lord Coeridge III ls
mainly owing to his fathers position that the career
of the Lord Chief Justice has been of such I'M
interrupted success.
EDUCATION AND EABLY LIPE.
Norm IN the year 1921 Lord Coierdge had the
advantage of an Elton curriculum ander his uncle,
The Rev Edward Colcridge, and IN course OF time
passsd on to Oxford University. As an Undergrad
nate he was distinguished for his studousness ana
varied scholarship. and as speaker and debater al
the Union" debating society he was never sur
passed He obtained a scholarship at Balliol COL
lepe after keen competition with some or MS 1ei-
low students and afterward elected TO fellow.
shIp al Exeter College, graduating as bachelor OF
arts in 1912 and as master of arts in 1916 Called
upon his career with every advantage which ior-
time could bestow upon him. His career as an adj
xocate W as to him much what his fathers bad been
ope upcongeuai to his whole temperament. but
which he was obliged, in the course usual IN the
profession of his choice, TO pass through. Wnen
his father some seventy years ago, announced MS
intention of going into the law. his friend. Sir
Joseph Arnold did all he could to dissuade MIN,
not because of doubt of his success but because Dis
feelings were strong against the painful necessity
vbicb advocates were under OF maintaining cer-
tam cause and knowingly suppressing truth lbe
poet Colerdge thought the same; the advocate ne
said was placed 10 position unfavorable to his
moral being and indeed to his intellect also In its
highest powers He recommended the study OF
metaphysics theology, or something which shou'd
engage the mind in the investigation OF truth alone
without reference to side to be supported; and II
was perhaps, owing 10 these sentiments ana
the belief In their moral truth that Sir
John Taylor Coeridge became the judge
he was HIS son who had the same sentiments in-
culcated IN him by precept and example from his
earliest years. and who had studied both metaphys-
les and theology in his Oxford course, thus COM
nenced his caieer as an advocate with the unfavor-
able tendency OF his position counteracted bg all
the influences Of tho highest moral culture and the
purest moral principles. 1t Is not surprising there
fore tina. he makes secret of the fact that he
sometimes felt great repuguauce in defending guilt
or advocating injustice.
on THE HIGH ROAD TO FAME.
Upon the Western Circuit, whittier Dir. Colsridge
went he soon attained prominent position. lie
was remark able for his great forensic powers asso-
ciated With an eloquence far above the ordinary
range of the bar and he accordingly rapidly to
the front rank and became the leader OF the Circuit
HIS rise was then assured, aud some nlns years
after his call to the bar he appointed Recorder
of Portsmouth. HIS training as judge. so much
more congenial to his temperament, now
began and before his father retired from the
bench in 1858 be saw his well the high
road of success. In 1861 he made Queens
Counsel and nominated Bencher of the Middle
Temple. Then according to the fashion In Eng
bsad. having secufad Parliamentary seal he was