The Sun. — 1853-01-27 (London, England)

THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.  Sin,,—The just solicitude, apparent in your columns, to render honour to whom honour is due, assures me that you will admit within them some expressions of regret, from a member of the bar of Ireland, on the loss to that country of the brightest ornament of the bench of the United Kingdom. Lord Chancellor Blackburne having sent in his resignation during the Christmas recess, the Bar were prevented from presenting him with an address—a ceremony which etiquette requires to take place in court. Had it not been for this untoward circumstance, that body would, as one man; have come forward to record their admiration of his judicial career—a career of which history knows no compeer. In the three most exalted tribunals of Ireland he has presided with equal honour, and in all stands unsurpassed. Who, as Master of the Rolls, has discharged the arduous duties of that office with the same ability, rapidity, and energy ? Who, again, as Chief Justice of Ireland, ever approached him in reputation ? I forget not the classical, eloquent, and impartial Bushe, but yet I fearlessly aver that never was that station filled by a lawyer so able —never was the balance of justice held by a hand so steady as that of Francis Blackburne. The wisdom and beauty of his charges at Assizes, on Special Commissions, and at State Trials, have established for him an enduring fame. It was his lot to preside in chief over the criminal courts at a period when rebellion and murder stalked abroad. Nobly he acquitted himself, and well the Irish Government of that day knew the fact. Early in 1852 he became Lord High Chancellor. The business of the Court of Chancery was then considerably in arrear.* That arrear, together with the ordinary amount of business, he completely disposed of before the month of July had ended. _ _  Distinguished men have held the Great Seal of Ireland. We recollect with admiration the learning of Lord Redesdale, the colossal eloquence and talents of Lord Plunkett, the knowledge and acuteness of Sir Edward Sugden ; but not one even of those men was so perfectly adapted for the woolsack as Mr. Blackburn°. He seemed to have been created for the place. Extraordinary sagacity and power of mental concentration, unrivalled experience and profound acquaintance with every branch of law and equity, immoveable temper and preeminent dignity of manner, a style nervous, terse, and perspicuous, at times highly adorned—a distinct and charmingly melodious voice, a fluent delivery, courtesy almost chivalrous, inexhaustible information, and a marvellous facility in the disposal of business, formed the rare combination of qualities which proclaimed his fitness for the Prmtorship. Before him justice was always aided in her struggle with technicality. The innocent prisoner hailed him as his judge—the guilty man knew that his fate was sealed. Every lover of Ireland must deplore that such an intellect should, in its zenith, be allowed to lie fallow. Remonstrance is now too late ; but might not such a judge, a statesman so moderate, the Attorney-General of Earl Grey and Sir Robert Peel, have been preserved for his country's sake ? The attempt, though perhaps unsuccessful, would at least have reflected honour on the new ministry, and gratified the nation. Would that of him we could say as Chancellor—" Sedet ceternumque sedibit." Respected by the judges, and adored by the Bar, he retires, after forty-eight years of uninterrupted public activity, into private life, where he is as much beloved by his friends as he is popular with his fellow-countrymen.