New-York tribune., 1904-10-02

anu otner journals. IN 1884 he called TO Ihe
par He made attempt to enter Parliament in
ls5S but was defeated as an Independent Liberal
candidate for Kircady. In 1850 he attracted atten
tlon by series OF letters on international law and
kindred topics written for THE London Times
and signed "Eistoricus." They continued
throughout the American Civil War. He became
Queens Counsel in 1865 and had large legal prac
tlee, most Of which he gave up TO Parliament
IN 1853 representing Oxford post he held until
1880 He then represented Derby until 1895. and
afterwsrd Monnouthshire West In his long Par
IamentsTy career he was ever stsnch supporter
OF Liberal principles
In 1853 he was elected wheweT professor of inter
national law at Cambridge He was appointed
member OF the royal commission for amending neu-
trality laws. and OF the royal commission for
amending the naturalization laws about the same
time In 1879 he was appointed Solicitor General.
but held the Office only three months. and was
knighted BY tho Queen at that time He was long
known as Sir William Vernon -Earcourt. but in
later years. when he succeeded the great estates
OF his nephew. he came be known simply as Sir
William Hareourt- His entry into the ranks Of Par
hamentary debaters hailed by both Gladstone
and Dtsraeli, who complimented him When Mr..
Gaostone returned TO the office OF Prime Minister.
IN ISSO' ne appointed Sir William vernon-HarcOurt
Secretary ct State for the Home Department. He
held this post until 1885. when his party went out
OF power, but when It returned. in 1856. he
made Chancellor Of the Exchequer. Again. the
fortunes Of politics took him from Office. the
sumed the office. which he held until 1885 What is
regarded as his greatest work was the reform Of
the tax budget In 1894. IN which the income tax
was considerably more graduated and the death
rates" reformed. As Home Secretary. IN
1854. he introduced important bill for the
form Of municipal government in London. In
establishing a regular system OF duties on estates
left by persons who died. both real and personal.
Sir William nOn-HarcOurt did much to aid in
solving the financial problems Of the government.
and despite the Tory outcry by the men Of wealth
they have not since been dispensed with
From 1924 to 1855 Sir William Harcourt leo the
Liberal opposition. but in the latter year he r.
tired from active work. and thereafter only
d private member of the House Of Commons He
had been prominent in opposing the policy Of the
government in regard TO the sinking fund. the
negotiations with the Transvaal and financing the
South African He was 4 member OF the royal
commission that investigated the jameson Raid.
ana took prominent part In many debates over
ritualstie practices in the Established Church He
delivered q noteworthy t-hute to the Grand Old
1Iau'' after Mr.. Gladstone's death Recently he
announced that he would give up his seat in the
House OF Commons at the END OF the present ses-
public life: Sir William Vernon -Harcourt IS one OF
e are p2n,e in pSS @ by e 5 9&5 ouGna Gn HIS
reputation has steadily improved while his party
polished satire and brilliant sPigrans have stgnS
again. He has Lord Beaconsfeld's trick OF giving
phrases the stamp OF his own originality, so tnat
are quoted more frequently It has beea aptiy
said that Sir williams distinguishing character
istic Il his eIeVerness HIS platform speeches are
not only rattng and rollicking, but are generally
brimfui OF witty and happy phrases He has a
great gift OF lucid exposition. and the rare oc-
casions when he condesceudS to be serious COM
nands 4 flexible and sinUOus prose
Sir William Harcourt was married in 1859 70 Lady,
Theresa Lewis widow OF Sir George Cornwall
Lewis and aunt OF the Earl OF Clarendon. She
died in 1853 and in 1875 he became the husband OF
Mrs. Elizabeth Ives. widow OF J. p. Ives and a
daughter OF John Lothrop MOtley. the historian.
and at one time United States Minister In London
Eis son. Lewis Vernon HarcoUrt, NJ P whose
mother was the first wife married a Miss Burns.
of this city. There were several children by the
second wife.
Sir william Vernon -Harcourt's clubs we're The
Reform. Devonshire oxford and Cambridge. He
had a most attractive residence IN the New Forest
MRlwoOd. Lyndhurst. Hanta red brick structure
% Queen Anne architecture, surrounded By vines
and trees He came into great estates by the
death % hss cousin. Aubrey HaTeouTt. recently
HIS "Historicus' letters published in book
form lS6a His only recreation in hts later years
said De writing letters 10 the ueWspapeTs.
wards alton.