The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-25
BY Ia MARaUIsE DE FoNTBNoY.

a rule. the bar exercises re-
~ straining and conservative in
huenco upon the political opin-
IONS OF Its members. This is especial
~ the case with those who have ao-
quired a large and remunerat!ve prac-
ice. III Is therefore n subject Of in
terest that Herbert Anqu!th. who en-
Joys tho distinction of being the frst
hinBs counsel and lawyer with a big
lesal practice to attain the position OF
premier. should pass down 10 history
as tho responsible author OF what In
probably the most revolutionary change
In the British Constitution since the
revolution Of 1883. when James IL.
was removed from the throne, to make
way for his Dutch son-in-iaw. VIII
liam III. OF Orange, and for Queen
Mary, namely. the deprivel OF tho
House of Lords OF those parliamentary
prerogatives which they had enjoyed,
with the brief interval of Oliver Crorn-
wells republic, for centuries
Here In the United States the lawyer
has always played leading role in
political and official life. and, with tho
exception OF George Washington and
PRESIDENT Grant, every President has
been q member of the bar. But In
England, the only lawyers who in all
Its long history have ever held the
office of prime minister have been
Herbert Asquith and Spencer Perceval.
Moreover. in the case OF the latter,
while he had been called to the bar,
he had never enjoyed any legal prao-
tice. 1t may be remembered that he
was assassinated in the lobby OF the
old House of Commons, by Bellingham,
in 1872
When one reflects that the House of
Lords has been so largely recruited
in the past from famous judges, and
from successful members OF tho legal
professon-probably third if not
more OF the peerages have their orr
gin on tho bench-the fact that Her
bert Asquith. who in character and
manners is ono OF the most conven-
tional OF mon. should have been forced
into tho leadership OF the most disas-
trous attack ever made upon the House
or Lords, seems, to say the least an
irony OF fate.
In France. as hero in the United
States, most of the Presidents OF the
present republic have been lawyers.
One OF them, indeed. President Grevy,
even acted es private legal adviser to
old Queen Isabella OF Spain, in the
management of her affairs. while he
was holding the office of chief mnEis-
trate of France. The exceptions to
the rule have been Marshal Macmahon,
who was soldier. and President
Faure, who was leather merchant.
President Fallieres practicod law at
Nerac. before coming to Paris and his
predecessor. Emile Loubct, was also a
lawyer, in his native town of MONTH
mar, before embarking upon n political
| career. Nearly all the premiers, too, of
France. have been lawyers: g. notabl
exception being Georges Clemenceau
who is a physician, and who has been
able TO boast OF an excellent prac-
tice as SUCH
While most students OF European his
tory are aware that King Charles XIV.
of Sweden was born 2 Frenchman, as
the son of lawyer in small way at
Pau. whose father in turn was a peas
ant of the district, few people are aware
that his son and successor on tho throne
OF Sweden, Oscar l.. was likewise horn
French citizen, and remained as
| such. known as such by the name OF
Oscar Bernadotte. until his eleventh
year. when his father. Marshal Ber-
nadotte. who had been created by EN-
was elected by the Swedes as their
crownprince, and as next heir to their
childless King. Charles XIII
The boy Oscar, who was a dreamy
child, and in those days the idol OF
his parents, owed his Christian name
OF oscar-some what unusual in France
Ito his godfather. Emperor Napoleon
who was great admirer and reade r
OF ossian, and who insisted that his
sodchild should be thus christened. in
| memory of Oss2an's grandson Oscar
All this has been recalled to mo by
the fact that the swe1Eh Benevolent
Society in Paris has just. with the
permission of the French government
affixed to the house Number SO Rue de
I honceau. a bronze plaque, recording