New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-09

OF lister Conservatism. but they pre-
.o,, - sAe'ch al nome or as guests a dinner
tables. Colonel Saunderson, whenever he dimes
out' Is expected TO reproduce from memory the
races OF the leading men in Parliament and es-
pec'd"y OF the Nationalist group He is a bitter
Pai'lsah ana his carcatures often appear grim
ana HI-hatured. He cannot help satirzing those
whom he dislikes. Sir Frank Lockwoods art
Ike his wit. left sting behind it, 1t was
talent for Jocose, good -humored portraiture and
while he was an unpretentious draughtsman he
had an unerring eye fo- ludcrous situations
The victims Of his caricature in Parliament
laughed over his facetious and grotesque skits
quite as merrily as the learned Judges on the
bench or his wigged and gOwned associates at
| the bar smiled over his comic illustrations Of
court practice
II Sir Frank Lockwood found It irksome to
speak in the Commons, where the members in
! sisted upon his DOMINIC cap and bells on every
occasion, so also other eminent advocates who
have not been embarrassed by a reputation for
Wit have failed to make their mark in debate
III America practice ut the bar is perhaps the
best preparation for success in public life but
it IS not equally effective in England, where
the barristors commanding the highest retain
ing fees in court empty the House Of Commons
exception by reason OF his prominence in the
councils Of the Liberal party; but even he is
considered a dry AMI unattractive speaker
whom il is a duty rather than a pleasure to
hear. Sir Edward Clarke and Sir Richard Web
ster are great advocates, but they are regarded
as tedious speakers in the House. precisely as
Sir Charles Russell, Sir Horace DaVey. Sir John
R.gby and Sir Robert Reid have been heard
there with impatierce. Sir Frank Lockwood re-
spectcd the prejudices Of the Commons, and piled
! his pencil rather than his tongue from the
benches. although he had what the House IN
variaby enjoys with keen relish-an exceptional
talent for humOr and felicitOus phrasing.
It IS difficult to explain the failures of eminent
lawyers or barristers in English Parliamentary
life, but possibly Their own sensitiveness TO the
| Ieproach OF being no lawyers is key to the
mystery. They have their reputation to main
! tain at the bar where they command higher
| incomes than they can earn as Ministers or law
officers Of the Crown and in debates they adhere
closely TO their legal methods. They discuss
every subject in a dry abstract way, splitting
hairs over technicalities and fine points and in
dustrously applying the recognized rules of evil
dence. Influenced by their professional train
in; obey convey an unmistakable impression of
holding brief for their party instead Of debat-
ing public questions in broad-minded spirit
In their eagerness to avoid the implication Of
being no lawyers they acquire the fatal repu-
tatiOn Of being mo debaters." and the House
empties into the Hobbies and smoking room
whenever they rise to address it.
WEST END SKETCH on CLOSETS
is now the famous case Of Lewis vs.. Clay, not
only involves the honor Of a young member OF
noble family but also the ncgotiabty Of
promissory notes and the legal position Of money
lenders. The decision virtually affirms that
while the notes were received in good faith by
reputable mOney-lendcr and advances were
made upon them on the strength of "a second Sig
nature, the genuinenees OF which is not ques-
toned. he cannot obtain judgment upon them
because there was trckery on the part Of Lord
William Nevill. which virtually amounted to
forgery. The young officer Of the Guards Is
leased from obligation and the money lender is
left to proceed crimnally against Lord William
Neviu. if he can secure his extradition.
The case is now n common theme Of discus
sion in clubs and among lawyers. and opinion Is
divided respecting it, The fraud practsed by
Lord William Nevin being admitted. there
two implications: First. that the second signer
Of the note ought to have critically examined the
papers before attaching his name to them; and
secondly that the bill discounter ought to have
taken pains to verify the second signature before
advancing the money. Either safeguard would
have exposed rascality The jury and the court
have decided afirmatively that the young Off
Ger. being duped into the belief that he was wit
Messing a document Of entirely different
ture, was not at fault Inferentially the bill
broker must pay the penalty for not inquirng
whether a signature admitted to be genuine was
not obtained by fraud The officer and the bill
! dscounte- both deceived. but one is
| screened from the consequences OF duplcity
| while the other suffers financial loss. one did
! not look at what he signed and the other did not
! ask a question Money lenders have never con-
| sidcred IL necessary to investigate the condi
| tons under which notes are signed by indorsers
| They must do so for self-protectiOn hereafter.
| The case has directed attention TO the i'm
! mense volume Of business transacted by money
| lenders for gentlemen Of rank and fashion who
are overwhelmed with debts incurred by gam
! bling fast living and spendthrift habits. Mr.
| Balfour discoursing pleasantly this week on
novel writing referred TO the difficulty OF getting
| hold of subjects for the art Of fiction. and ex-
/ messed wonder where the writer's OF the present
| and the future were 10 find new vein when
| they had ransacked all countries and ages for
J theatres in which TO display their Imaginary
| characters Yet one may sit any day In Lon
! dom club and hear astonishing tales OF the deal
| ings OF the ieuness doree and titled scapegraces
| Nth money lenders which prove that in VANITY
! Eotr tr,th ts stranger than fiction 1t is not a
| now vein bu, It Is which has been imper-
| @ec,Iv worked and is far from being exhausted
| e,leleton-closets In the West End are as common
! o. s,rounA rents How cynically some OF the old
s,ei,, solicitors custodians OF the secrets OF the
araa, roust smile when asked 70 believe that the
| nnovaiists OF the day have imagination!
hoNe''s'S VI w. l. N. +.
yOVIVG-CUP FOR d. FRANK LLOYD.
| mt ~ .