New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-05-15
LORD NORBURY WEEDS
His Name Recalls the Execution of
Robert Emmett.

Copyright. 1905. By the Brentwood Company
Lord Norhury, whose engagement 10 Miss Lucy
Ellis one Of the pretty cousins OF Lord Howard de
waiden-daughter OF his uncle and heir-has just
been announced. has many friends in this country,
which he frequently visits; has achieved consid-
cradle celebrity enthusiastic motorist, was
associated with the promoter Terah ftooiey In a
number OF the latters ventures and in the scandals
which ens,,es and hears name which is eNecrated
by Irishrnen all the world over as that of the
sudge-his rreat-Erandfather-wh sentenced the
patriot Robert Emmett TO the scaffold. at the
time declining TO add the customary for
rnuls land may the Lord have mercy on your
soul That first Lord Ncrbury was Lord Chief
Justice Of ireland. occupying the Irish bench as
such for more than twenty seven years. and is
record having more men TO the gal
lows than other Justice who has worn the
ernine. His relish for capital punishment was i'm
disguised. and at single assize he passed sen
renoe OF death fewer than 1eS prisoners. only
one OF whom was reprieved. This popularity was =
matter Of frequent Joke. and dining night with
the celebrated Irish lawyer Curran. the latter. who
carving mutton. replied The Chief
Justices inquiry whether the meat had been
well hung: Not Yet. my lord. You have not
tried Il
Lord Norhury's final retirement from the bench
st an advanced age was brought about by Daniel
O'Conneli and by the first Lord Ahnger. who called
the attention of Parliament the judges habit OF
falling asleep while the bench and insisted that
he unfit shy longer TO fulfil his judicial duties
In illustration thereof O'Connell cited TO Parliament
E case where the Lord Chief Justice trying
prisoner for horse stealing. then capital offence
ana feu fast asleep. On awakening he proceeded
pass sentence Of death the prisoner, who in
fe--upted him toward the conclusion with the fol-
lowing explanation: Eth my lord. you may leave
out the rest. IL your lordshp pleases The jury,
Cod bless them, acquitted just before your
lor6ship evoke''-which proved be the A
dueIlist ell hts lite-he wont TO boast that he
had begun his legal with f+0 in cash and
of hal iris mis- NJ
ceeded 10 challenge the Viceroy Of Ireland and the
Irish Secretary when they demanded his resigna-
But the hostile encounters did not come off,
r neither OF these officials prepared TO fight a
OF ninety. At his funeral when the coffin was
being lowered by ropes into a deep grave, voice
81 the crowd cried: "Give him the rope and plenty
u il. boys: he was never sparing OF it 10 others.
Perhaps the most extraordinary story on rec
ord Of this judge is the one to the effect that he
presided the trial Of several prisoners on CAPT
tai charges and sentenced them 10 be hanged,
while srrayed IN the fantastic garb Of harle-
cuin. He had spent the night at fancy dress
hall given by Lady Castlereagh. at which he ap-
peared in the multicolored guise Of a pantomime
harlequin The entertainment prolonged
Until the breakfast hour and Lord Norbury, with
out waiting TO change. put his robes on over the
costume hurried off 10 court, and took his place
the bench. 1t was very close day, and Lord
Ncrbury, according 10 some. loosened his robes
s. such way as 70 show the harlequin costume
Underneath, while Of his contemporaries in
sist that he DOTTED the robes altogether, and in
that suise pronounced number Of capital sen
fences.
His son, the second earl. shot in = most
mysterious manner while walking IN the grounds
q his country place, hilbeggan House. in County
Meath. Il not agrsrian murder, for the
ground from which the shot was fred showed the
print ot q boot Of fashionable make. Although
5000 reward. In addition annuity Of $500
offered for the discovery Of the assassin. he
was never found nor brought 10 Justice The
present Lord Norbury is the fourth earl of his
line and his minor titles include those Of Niscount
Glandfne Of Glandine. in Kings County, and Of
Lord Norwood.