LIFE OF LORD DENMAN I\ \ V t'/ i / _;r C _, 7 _ ~ r?! NV ~ X LTIFE OF THOMAS, FIRST LORD DENMN FORMERLY LORD CHIEF JUSTICE OF ENGLAND BY SIR JOSEPH ARNOULD LATE JUDGE OF THE HIGH COURT OF B'MMBAY IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. I. BOSTON ESTES & LAURIAT, 143 WASHINGTON STREET. PREFACE. THIS MEMOIR has been principally compiled from materials placed at the writer's disposal by various members of the late LORD DENMAN'S family; by his old friend, Sir JOHN TAYLOR COLERIDGE; and by Mr. HERMAN MERIVALE, the son of a friend still older. It is intended as much for general as for professional readers: for DENMAN, though of a high order both as an advocate and a judge, was of a still higher order as a man and a citizen; so that a record, however imperfect, of his noble and virtuous life may, it is hoped, be found interesting and useful even beyond the comparatively narrow limits of exclusively legal circles. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. The Denman family, page I. Great-grandfather and grandfather of Lord Denman, 2. His paternal uncle, Dr. Joseph Denman, 2. His father, Dr. Thomas Denman, 2. His mother, nie Miss Elizabeth Brodie, 3. His maternal uncle, Rev. P. B. Brodie, 3. His first cousins, William, Peter, and Sir Benjamin Brodie, 3. Marriage of Dr. Denman and Miss E. Brodie, 1770, 3. Happiness of the union, 3. Lord Denman's twin sisters, Margaret and Sophia, 4. Their husbands, Sir R. Croft and Dr. Matthew Baillie, 4. - Agnes and Joanna Baillie, 4. Birth of Lord Denman, Feb. 23, 1779, 4- Place of birth, 4. Narrow escape from fire when an infant, 4. Childhood of Lord Denman, 4. Sent to Mrs. Barbauld's school at Palgrave in 1782, 5. His progress and improvement there, 5. Mrs. Denman as a mother, 6. Her belief in the power of early training, 6. Love of the child for his parents, 6. Early and life-long piety of his character, 6. Dr. Denman as a father, 7. Takes a child with him on his professional excursions out of London, 7. Letter from him to his wife on one of these, 8. Burke's house at Beaconsfield, 8. The boy taken from Mrs. Barbauld's and sent to Dr. Thompson's at Kensington in 1786, 8. Remains there till 1788, 8. CHAPTER II. Denman at Eton from 1788 to 1795, 9- Few records of his Eton career, 9. Notice of him (set. 13) during an Eton vacation at Winterslow, 9. Early love for music, 9. Early politics and talent for speaking, 9. Burnt in the leg for not "making a speech," Io. Greek and Latin scholarship, Io. English verse translations, lo. Denman at Winterslow 1795 to 1796, Io. Rambles in North Wiltshire, Io. Stonehenge, Essay on, Io. Thorney Down, Verses on, ii. Denman goes into residence at St. John's Col viii CONTENTS. lege, Cambridge, Oct. 1796, II. His pursuits and friendships at the University, I. Merivale, I. Shadwell, II. Hodgson, II. Drury, ii. Bland, II. The "Greek Anthology" and its contributors, II. Byron's praises of, in " English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," xI. Denman's translation " With myrtle my sword will I wreathe," praised by Byron in note to third canto of " Childe Harold," II. Denman's undergraduate life at St. John's, II. Merivale's Diary, 12. Walking tour with Shadwell in Wales, 1797, I 2. Plan for a winter excursion to Snowdon, I3. Walks with Merivale in neighborhood of Cambridge, 13. Literary talk, I3. Lord Lovaine, 13. Denman's readiness at capping verses, 13. Hismemory and love for poetry, 13. Akenside and Beattie, I4. 1"Hamlet," I4. Similarity of tastes and pursuits in Denman and Merivale, I4. Denman's fondness for romances of chivalry, I4. His admirable Greek scholarship, I4. Denman's correspondence at Cambridge with his sister Mrs. Baillie, 14. Extracts from letters to her, I5. Description of Dovedale, 15. And of Dorset and Devon coasts, I6. Early admiration for " Lyrical Ballads," 17. For Joanna Baillie's dramas, 17. Mrs. Baillie's memoirs of her brother, 17. His early love of theatricals, I7. A taste that never left him, 17. Denman's political sentiments, 17. An ardent "Foxite," IS. His unswerving political constancy, I8. Early admiration for Dr. Parr as a staunch Whig, I8. Mrs. Baillie's speculations as to origin of her brother's political opinions, I8. Personal advantages of Denman as a young man, 19. Physical strength and activity, 19. Walks from Cambridge to London in twelve hours, I9. His magnificent voice, I9. Air of distinction and refinement, I9. Combination of sweetness and force, I9. Correspondence between Denman, while at Cambridge, and his parents, 20. Letter to his mother, February, I799, 20. Honors in classics proposed and rejected, 20. Political torpor of Cambridge, 20. Letter to his father, June, 1799, 20. Velleius Paterculus, " Diversions of Purley," 20. Letter from Dr. Denman to his son, 1799, 21. Dr. Denman on Horace, 2I. His theory of what his son should be, 22. "The wisest and best man that ever lived," 22. Denman's dislike of mathematics, 22. Consequent failure to take honors, 22. Extracts from letters to Mrs. Baillie on this, 23. Extract from verses written in 1799 in dispraise of mathematics, 24. Eagerness for active life, 25. Takes an ordinary degree and leaves Cambridge for London in Febuary, x8oo, 25. CHAPTER III. Denman commences his legal studies, April, I8ao, 26. In chambers with Merivale at Featherstone Buildings, Holborn, 26. A pupil of Charles Butler, 26. Works hard at real property law, 26. Separate chambers at 25 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, 26. Pupil of Dampier, and of Tidd, 26. CONTENTS. ix His diligence as a law student, 27. In I803 begins practice as a Special Pleader, 27. His first legal employment, 27. Denman keeps up his school and college friendships, 27. Merivale, Shadwell, Bland, IHodgson, Drury, etc., 28. The Rev. Robert Bland, 28. His talent and wild wit, 28. His intimacy with Byron, 29. His marriage, 29. Richard William Vevers, 29. The serio-comic " training of Vevers," 29. Letter from Bland to Denman, 1803, 30. Bland-at Old Burlington Street, I803, 3r. Dr. and Mrs. Denman on the virtues of their son, 3I. Epistles in verse to Denman from Hodgson and Drury, 31. "Dear lawless Democrat with dreadful brow," 3I. Hodgson and Drury both friends of Byron, 3I. A dining club established by Denman and his friends, 31. Letter from Bland at Eton to Denman, I804, 31. John Herman Merivale the most intimate of all Denman's friends, 3. Early letters from Merivale to Denman, 31. Merivale in love with Miss Louisa Drury, 3I. Denman falls in love at first sight with Miss Theodosia Vevers, 3I. Parentage and family of Miss Vevers, 3I. Her maternal connections, 31. Lord Sondes of Rockingham Castle, 3I. The Anderson family, 3I. Age of Miss Vevers at marriage, 32. Merivale to Denman on the prospects of his courtship, 32. A young lawyer's notion of wedded bliss in I804, 32. " Plain living and high thinking," 32. Dr. Denman consents, 32. Extracts of letters from Denman to Miss Vevers, 33. They are married at Saxby Church, Oct. 18, I804, 33. Honeymoon spent at Rockingham Castle, 33. " Aunt Annie's" account of the wedding, 33. Congratulatory letters, 34. Note from" Fanny Anderson," born Nelthorpe, 35. Letter from Denman's mother to his bride, 35. First London residence of the young couple, 36. Dr. Denman's allowance of 4001. a year, 36. Dr. Joseph Denman displeased at the match, 36. Correspondence on the subject between him and Dr. Baillie, 37. Dr. Baillie's letter to Dr. J. Denman of Oct. I5, 1804, 37. Dr. J. Denman's answer of Oct. 27, 39. Dr. Baillie's reply of Oct. 30, I804, 39. His favorable report of the bride and good auguries for the happiness of the union, 39. Dr. Baillie's noble and disinterested character, 40. His auguries verified, 40. Extreme happiness and long duration of marriage, 40. Person, manners, and character of the bride, 4I. Numerous family (born between I804 and I824) of Denman and his wife, 41. CHAPTER IV. Special Pleading, 42. Periodical literature (the " Monthly Review "), I804I8o6, 42. Cambridge election for Chancellor, 42. Lord Henry Petty, 42. Fox-Grenville administration, January, I8o6, 42. Denman's devotion to Fox, 43. Letter to Sir F. Burdett shortly after Fox's death, 43. Denman called to the Bar, I8o6, 44. Change of residence to No. 5 Queen's Square, Bloomsbury, 44. Joins Midland Circuit and Lincoln x CONVTEVTS. shire Sessions, 4.- Leading members of Midland Circuit, 44. Mr. Serjeant Vaughan, 44. Mr. Clarke, K.C., 44. Mr. John Balguy, K.C., 45. Denman's friends, 45. Reader, 46. Dwarris, 46. Empson, 46. Copley (Lyndhurst) and Francis Horner, 46. Denman's regret at Copley's political apostasy, 47. Denman's early position and progress on circuit, 48. Extracts from Midland Circuit Book relating to him, 49. His first retainer in town, 49. Letter to his wife from circuit, July 17, I808, 50. Denman's connection through Merivale and Bland with the "Critical Review," 5i. Extract from his notice of Chief Justice Marshall's " Life of Washington," 52. Dr. Denman suggests legal publication as a means of professional advancement, 53. Denman's reply, July 6, i808, 53. Letter of Denman to his wife from circuit, April 2, I8Io, 54- Copley and Denman at Miss Linwood's ball, 55. Walcheren expedition, 55. The money runs short at home, 56. Money ditfiLulties of Denman's earlier professional life, 56. Never famous for prudence or economy, 56. Mrs. Baillie's testimony, 56. Mrs. Hodgson's account, 56. She rather blames Dr. Denman's parsimony, 57. Homely and frugal ways of Dr. Denman and his wife, 57. "One luxury is enough," 57. The yearly allowance doled out in weelly instalments, 57. Fondness of Dr. and. Mrs. Denman for their grandchildren, 57. Mrs. Hodgson's recollections of them, 57. Prizes for being gentlewomen, 57. Primitive simplicity of Dr. and Mrs. Denman's household, 59. Denman as a husband and a father, 58. Mrs. Baillie's recollections, 58. His elevating influence on his daughters, 58. Mrs. Hodgson's recollections of her mother and father, 58. His romps with his girls when children, 59- Poetic readings as they grew older, 59. Took them with him on his journeys, 59. A child's day at chambers and in Lincoln's Inn Gardens, 59. "-Shooting the bridge," 59. Denman an equally kind father to his sons as to his daughters, 59. Letter to his wife, June Io, I8Ii, illustrative of his then circumstances and social position in London, 60. His old friend Bland at Amsterdam, 6i. Letter from him thence, 62. His return to England in October, I8Ir, 63. Byron's high opinion of Bland, 63. Byron in I8II and 18I2 intimate with Hodgson, Bland, Merivale, and Drury, 63. Denman only once in Byron's society, 63. Reason of this, 63. CHAPTER V. In i8II Denman's practice on circuit and sessions much increased, 64. Takes Chambers at No. 5 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, 64. Extracts from Midland Circuit Book, 64. Brougham specially retained at Lincoln in Spring Assizes of I8I i for defence of John Drakard, of the "Stamford News," 95. Merivale disappointed that Denman was not retained, 66. Dangerous illness of Merivale in October and November, x8i x, 66. Ex CONTENTS. xi tract from letter from Merivale to Denman,,Nov. 22, I8II, 66. Death of Denman's uncle Dr. Joseph Denman, in I8I2, 67. Disposal of his property, 67. The story of the poisoned bottles, 67. Impression produced by the occurrence on Denman, 68. Makes him cautious as to circumstantial evidence, 68. Letter from Denman to his wife on the death of her brother, Lieutenant Charles Vevers, R.N., at the storming of San Sebastian, August 31, I813, 69. From same to same, April 7, 1814, 69. Delight at fall of Napoleon, 70. "Rooted success" on circuit, 71. Defence, in July, I814, of some of the associates of Lord Cochrane in the Stock Exchange Conspiracy, 7I. The trial before Lord Ellenborough, 71. Partial summing up and severe sentence, 71. After career of Lord Cochrane (Earl of Dundonald), 72. Denman, in August and September, I814, visits France with his wife and children, 72. Extracts from letters to Merivale describing the trip, 72. Meeting and reconciliation with Francis Horner, 73. Horner's subsequent death by consumption, 73. Public honors paid to; Mackintosh's remarks on, 74. Political speculations of Denman in I8I4 as to Bonaparte and the Bourbons, 74. Theatricals in Paris; music and dancing, 75. Column of the Place Vendome, 76. Edmund Kean, 76. Denman appointed Deputy Recorder of Nottingham, I8I5, 76. Death of his father, November, 1815, 77- Vigorous old age of Dr. Dennman, 77. His death sudden at last, 77. His character by his daughter, Mrs. Baillie, 77. His treatise on midwifery and lectures, 77CHAPTER VI. Denman's practice on circuit and sessions very considerable in I8I6, I1817, 78. Defence of Luddite prisoners in 1816, 78. Circuit Book entries, 78. Condition of the operatives in Nottinghamshire and the Midland Counties during and after the close of the Great War, 79. Byron's testimony to the condition of English operatives in the House cf Lords, February 27, I812, 79. Distress of the people increased after the termination of the war, 80. Heavy taxation, 80o. No reform, either social or political, o80. Poor laws, 80. Corn laws, 80. Eldon, Sidmouth, and Castlereagh, 80. Effect of the great French Revolution on the propertied classes and the prcletariate in England, 80. The year 1817, 81. Famine priceof bread, 8i. Stagnation of trade, 8I. General want of employment, 8i. Distress in Nottingrhamshire and the neighboring counties, 81. Rising under Jeremiah Brandreth, " ep Nofting/iam Captain," 8. Brandreth's address to his followers, June 8, 18I7, 8I. Plan of operations, 82. Night march of the rioters, June 9, I817, 82. Brandreth shoots Mrs. Hepworth's servant, 82. Terror inspired, 82. Arms seized, 82. The yeomanry assemble, 82. Insurgents disperse at dawn, 82. The leaders captured, 82. Special Commission at Derby, October I4, to try the rioters on a charge xii CONTENTS. of high treason, 82. Denman retained for the defence of Brandreth, Turner, and Ludlam, 83. Facts clearly proved, 83. Only question whether they constituted the offence of high treason by "levying war against the king," 83. Argument on this point in speech for Brandreth, 83. Brandreth convicted of high treason, 84. Denman, in speaking for Ludlam and Turner, dwells on the strange power of Brandreth over his fellow-men: quotes Byron's description of Conrad in the "Corsair," 85. Conviction and sentence of the three prisoners, 86. Their execution, November 7, 1817, 86. Graciousness of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, 86. Letter from Denman to Merivale of September Io, 1817, 87. Miss Austen's " Emma," 87. Bland and Hodgson, 87. Ride from Leamington to Dunsbourne (Dr. Baillie's), 87. Studying the law of high treason at Fontainebleau, 88. More facts as to Brandreth, 88. In prison before trial, 88. "No more Derbyshire ribs," 88. Oliver, the government spy, 89. What shall we do with our boys? 89. CHAPTER VII. Denman, in I8i8, returned to Parliament for the close borough of Wareham, go. Letter to his brother-in-law, Vevers, August 2I, I8I8, 90. His political stand-point, 9I. A constitutional Whig, opposed to Burdett and the Radicals, 9I. Denman takes his seat January I4, I819, 9I. The Whig opposition in I819, 9I. Denman's earlier career in the House of Commons less brilliant than was expected, 9I. Causes of this, 92. Parliamentary distinction not his first object, 92. Doubtful whether he ever could have become a leading debater in the House of Commons, 92. His talents and character better adapted for the HIouse of Lords, 92. Denman's course as a member of the House of Commons honorable, useful, and enlightened, 92. His own estimate of his House of Commons career from I8I9 to I826, 93. The first session of I8I9, 93. Legal reforms advocated by Denman, 93. Opposes allowance of Io,oool. a year to the Duke of York for taking care of the King his father, 94. Speech on Foreign Enlistment Bill, 94. The Holy Alliance characterized, 95. The recess, 95. Condition of the people in I819, 95. Meetings for radical reform of Parliament, 95. The Manchester Massacre, August I9, I819, 95. Meetings called to protest against it, 96. Lord Fitzwilliam, for presiding at one, dismissed from the Lord Lieutenancy of the West Riding, 96. Second session of I819, 96. The Six Acts, 96. Denman's opposition to, 96. Denounces the Manchester Massacre, 96. Speech against the Seditious Meetings Bill, 97. Against the Blasphemous Libels Bill, 97. Close of the session of the Six Acts, 98. Death of George III. and accession of George IV., Jan. 29, 1820, 98. The Cato Street conspiracy, 98. Dissolution of Parliament, 99. Denman invited to stand CONTENTS. xiii for Nottingham, 99. Returned after a close contest, 99. Expenses of the election, 99. Denman's means a good deal crippled by them, 99. His difficulty in getting money together, 99. Letter to his wife from Warwick, April Io, I820, oo00. Dr. Parr at Hatton and in Warwick for the Assizes, Ioo. The Blands at Kenilworth, Ioo. Michael Angelo Taylor, oI0. Messrs. Parkes's smoke-consuming apparatus, IoI. Last sessions as Deputy-Recorder of Nottingham, IoI. Political feeling there after the election, IoI. CHAPTER VIII. Trial of Queen Caroline, 102. Denman's MS. narrative of the year I820, Io2. Drawn up in I821, 102. How dealt with, 102. Antecedents of the Queen, Io03. Lives separate from her husband since I796, 103. His scandalous profligacy, 103. She leaves England in 1814 and resides abroad till 1820, 103. Her conduct while abroad, I03. Milan Commission in I8I8, I03. Its secret report, I819, 103. The Queen's name ordered to be omitted from the Liturgy, Feb. I, I820, I03. The Queen determines to come to England, 104. This determination supported by Wood, Io04. Opposed by Brougham, I04. Antagonism between Brougham and Wood, 104. Denman takes a middle line, Io4. His chivalrous feeling for the Queen, I04. Feeling of the people for the Queen and against the King, Io5. Commencement of MS. narrative, 105. Denman appointed Solicitor-General to the Queen, Brougham being her AttorneyGeneral, 1o5. Ought the Queen to come to England? Io05. Arguments in favor of her coming, Io05. Alderman Wood, io6. Denman's opinion of him, Io6. Brougham's nickname for him, " Absolute Wisdom," io6. Line of the Whig Opposition, io6. Tierney's alternative policy, Io6. Scheme of a divorce, io6. Sir John Leach, Io7. Denman's opinion of the Whi- policy, Io7. Tierney's interview with Denman as to his acceptance of office from the Queen, Io07. Possibility of the King's taking a fancy to the Queen, Io7.' " Fat, fair and fifty," Io7. Interview of Brougham and Denman with Lord Eldon respecting professional rank, io8. " The serpent more subtle than all the beasts of the field," Io8. Brougham and lenman called to the Bench of Lincoln's Inn, io8. Sir F. Burdett tried at Leicester, March 20, I820, for seditious libel, io8. Makes his own speech and is convicted, Io8. Denman moves for a new trial, xo9. Mr. Justice Bayley's judgment in Rex v. Burdett, Io9. The Queen leaves Italy and arrives at Geneva, o09. Alderman Wood goes to Geneva to meet her, IIo. Queen at St. Omer's, IIo. Brougham goes to meet her, I IO. She leaves him there and sets out for London, where she arrives June 6, IIo. Denman, in Brougham's absence, acts as her chief law officer, IIo. Brougham arrives, IIo. Denman summoned to meet the Queen at Alderman Wood's house, III. Her progress through xiv COVNTENTS. the streets, I I. Alderman Wood by her side, III. The Queen in sight, I 112. The Queen's bearing, dress, and appearance 1I2. " That beast Wood," I I2. The Queen's delusion as to the King's feeling for her, 112. Denman's first reception by the Queen, I I2. Brougham imparts his apprehensions to Denman, I I3. Denman's testimony as to Brougham's zeal for his client, 113. The Queen's suspicions of Brougham, 113. The charges against the Queen opened in the House of Commons, I I 3. Brougham's incomparable first speech, 114. Queen's suspicions of Brougham not removed, II4. Social position of the Queen, II4. Are the ladies to call upon her? II5. MIrs. Brougham and Mrs. Denman do not call, I I 5. Denman's reflections on this, I I 5. Remarks by the present writer, II6. High spirit of the Queen, i 6. "I will be crowned," I 16. Addresses to the Queen, i i6. Her reception of the Lord Mayor and Common Council, II6. Her popularity with the London mob, II7. CHAPTER IX. Amicable arrangements attempted, II8. Conference between Wellington and Castlereagh for the King, and Brougham and Denman for the Queen, I I8. First meeting on June I4, 1 I8. Conference broken off on the Igth, I8. Description of the interview in the personal narrative, I I8. Attempts at mediation by House of Commons, II9. Wilberforce's motion June 22, I 19. Denman's speech, " All that are desolate and oppressed," I I9. Castlereagh avows that the striking the name out of the Liturgy was the King's own act, I20. Hence the Queen's resolution to make no terms, I20. Wood (and Denman too) opposed to her leaving England, I20. Hesitation of the Queen, 120. Brougham prepares answer accepting, Denman one rejecting, the House of Commons' address, 120. How the Queen receives the House of Commons deputation, 121. The address rejected, 12i. The Queen's answer to the address read in the House of Commons, 121. Curious Scene, 122. Denman's view of the conduct at thi:; crisis of ministers and the majority, 122. The country gentlemen, I23. Attempts at arrangement having failed the inquiry goes on, 123. Petition at Bar of Lords to suspend proceedings of Secret Committee till arrival of witnesses, June 26, I23. Denman's quotation: " Some cogging, cozening slave," etc., I24. Bill of Pains and Penalties introduced, July 5, I24. Resolved that the trial should commence on August 17, I24. Counsel for the Queen, I24. Wilde brought into the case by Wood, I24. Feeling against him at first, I24. Denman's testimony to his usefulness and ability, 125. Pause in proceedings from July Io to August I7, i25. Brougham anl Denman on circuit, 126. Denman's exertions and fatigue, 126. Defends Major Cartwright, 126. Presides at Nottincham election dinner, 126. Return to London, I26. The CONTENTS. xv Queen at Brandenburgh House, 126. Her distrust of Brougham as strong as ever, I26. Parr discourses on the propriety of discarding Brougham, 126. "If my head is on Temple Bar it will be Brougham's doing," I26. Proceedings resumed on August 17, 126. Counsel heard against the principle of the bill, 127. Denman's speech on the I8th, 127. Its strong expressions of loyalty to the Queen, I27. Denman's account of the effect of his speech against the principle of the bill, 127. The Queen's compliment, " My God, what a beautiful speech! " I27. A most unbecoming familiarity, I27. The Attorney-General (Giffard) opens for the Crown, August 19, 127. Examination of witnesses from August 21 to September 7, 127. Cross-examination of Majocchi and Louise D6mont, 128. The Solicitor-General (Copley) sums up, 128. Further proceedings adjourned till October 3, I28. The Queen's agitation at first sight of Majocchi, 128. Her general demeanour at the trial, I28. Denman, during the break in the proceedings, runs down to Cheltenham, 129. His triumphal entry, I29. The parson's windows broken, 129. Denman appeases the mob, 129. Ihis letter to Merivale of September 24, 129. Expresses surprise that the unanswered evidence against the Queen has not had more effect on the country, 130. Certificate. at Cheltenham to a foreign servant that he was not Majocchi, i30. CHAPTER X. Proceedings in the Lords after the resumption on October 3, I3I. Brougham's great speech, I31. The peroration, I3I. Its effects on Erskine, 132. Brougham's conduct of the case criticised, I32. Speech of John Williams, 132. Witnesses called for the Queen, 132. Copley's crossexaminations, I33. Exultation of ministers, I33. Witnesses for the Queen kept back by Government, 133. Denman at Holland House, preparing his speech on summing up the evidence, I33. Dr. Parr's suggestions, I33. Octavia and Nero, I34. The "honest chambermaid's Greek," I34. "Oh dear, Mr. Denman, don't be squeamish," I34. Denman's great speech, October 24 and 25, 134. Unfortunate reference at close, "Go and sin no more," I34 Parallel between Octavia and Caroline of Brunswick not happy, I35. The Greek quotation a mistake, i35. Not intended by Denman to apply to the King, I35. The King convinced it was, 135. The King nicknamed Nero, I35. Carlton House, "Nerot's Hotel,"135. Great general merits of the speech, 136. Graceful compliment to Brougham, " We kept together in our chivalry," I36. The famous apostrophe to the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William IV., "Come forth, thou slanderer!" 136. Great personal advantages of Denman as an orator, I38. His speeches, at the time, preferred to Brougham's, 138. The Attorney-General's reply, I39. Unexpectedly good, xvi CON.TENTS. I39. The debates on second reading, 139. Lord Grey's speech the best, i39. Divisions on second and third reading, I39. Majority for third reading only nine, I40. Result communicated to the Queen, I40. "Regina in spite of them," I40. Denman kisses the Queen's hand, 140. Lord Liverpool withdraws the bill, I40. Final close of the proceedings, I40. Denman's general estimate as to the conduct of the case, I4I. Exultation in the country at the abandonment of the bill, I4I. Freedom of the City voted to Brougham, Denman, and Lushington, 141. CHAPTER XI. Personal narrative continued, I42. Difficulty of the Queen's social position increased by the abandonment of the Bill, I42. Coarse libels of the ministerial press, the " Courier" and the " John Bull," I42. The Queen's name not restored to the Liturgy, I43. Ought the Queen to accept a provision from Parliament? I43. Opposite views of Brougham and Denman, I43. Message to House of Commons declining a provision, I43. She afterwards changes her mind and applies for one, 144. Allowance of 50,000oo. a year and a residence, February I, I821, I44. The Queen gives entertainments, 144. Lord and Lady Hood, I44. Bohemianism of the Queen, 144. The King implacable, I44. Petty spite of the Court, 145. The" George" and the " Angel," I45. The Queen's popularity declines, I45- She keeps low company, I45. Brandenburgh House, 145. Her resolution to be crowned in Westminster Abbey opposed by all her advisers, I45. Her repulse at the Abbey on the Coronation Day, July I9, I46. This hastened her end, I46. Denman visits her shortly after, 146. Her wild excitement, I46. She is taken ill at Drury Lane Theatre, I46. Grows rapidly worse, 146. On Thursday, August 2, makes her will, I46. On Saturday, the 4th, pronounced to be better, 147. Brougham and Denman leave town for circuit, 147. On Monday, the 6th, Baillie called in, I47. On Tuesday, the 7th, the Queen dies, 147. Brougham leaves circuit to attend the funeral, 147. Sir Robert Wilson's dismissal, I47. The King at Holyhead on his Irish progress, I48. Castlereagh to Eldon on the Queen's death, 148. The funeral procession through London, 148. Revolting scenes, 148. Brougham at Harwich, 148. Lowering of the coffin from the pier, 148. Byron's " Irish Avatar," I49. Byron's high opinion of Denman, I49. Denman at Hastings in Long Vacation of x821, 149. Letters thence to Merivale, 149. Queen's death a relief, I49. Posthumous malice of "John Bull," 149. The Queen's last moments, I5o. Never mentions Bergami, 50o. Her will, I6o. How Denman came to leave her for circuit, I5o. Denman' s indignation at the conduct of Government regarding the funeral and the dismissal of Sir Robert Wilson, 15o. Further extracts from letters to CONTENTS. xvii Merivale from Hastings, 150. Dolce far nienteafter two years' hard labor, 15I. Scott's edition of Swift, I5I. "Blessed are the book-makers," I52. Kean, I52. Joanna Baillie's "De Montfort," I52. Colman's joke, "Jane" and " Fustian," 152. Kean as Shylock, 152. Elliston in the "Liar," I52. Lady Essex and Mrs. Damer at Hastings, I52. CHAPTER XII. Personal narrative of Denman's career from the Queen's death to that of Canning (182I-1827), I53. Professional rank of Brougham andPDenman after the Queen's death, 153. Circuit resolution, I53. John Williams M.P. for Lincoln, 1822, 153. Attacks by Denman and Williams on Lord Eldon and Chancery abuses, 154. Denman elected Common Serjeant, March, I822, I54. Bolland his competitor, 154. Respective number of votes, 154. Entry and fine in Circuit Book, 154. First sittings in April, 1822, I55. Trial for Blasphemy and sedition of Humphrey Boyle, shop-keeper of R. Carlile, prosecuted by the Constitutional Association, I55. A difficult task for Denman, I55. Status of the defendant, I55. Character of the libel, I56. Denman's conduct of the trial, 156. Refuses to stop the defendant in his speech to the jury, I56. Leaves to the jury the meaning of the libel, and the question whether the publisher was aware of its contents and tendency, I56. Sentence, eighteen months' imprisonment, 157. Thought severe by many, 157. Comments of the Press, i57. Reasonable Liberals not satisfied, 157. Denman's performance of the duties of Common Serjeant, 157. His expedition in trying prisoners, 158. Dislike to technical objections, I58. Testimony to the excellence of Old Bailey juries, I58. Advocates reforms in criminal law procedure, I58. Article in the "'Edinburgh Review" for 1824 on the "Law of Evidence," 159. Suggestions from time to time to Home Office regarding law amendment, I57. Emoluments of office of Common Serjeant, I59. Its effect on professional practice, I59. Influence of forensic and judicial engagements on parliamentary success, 159. Denman, for financial reasons, not a candidate at the general election of I826, i6o. A new era in I827, I6o. The Canning administration, I6o. Split in the Whig party, I6o. Brougham and Lord Lansdowne favorable to Canning, I6o. Lord Grey joins Duke of Wellington in strong opposition to him, I6o. Position of the leading lawyers, I6i. Copley's speech in March against Catholic emancipation, I6I. Becomes Lord-Chancellor Lyndhurst in April, I6I. Sir C. Wetherell throws up the AttorneyGeneralship, I6I. Scarlett appointed to it, i6I. Tyndal remains Solicitor-General, I62. Letter from Denman to Scarlett advising him to take office under Canning, I62. Denman's personalliking for Canning and regret at his death, I63. xviii CONTENTS. CHAPTER XIII. General estimate of Denman's Parliamentary career for this period, 164. Session of 1821, 164. Presents petition from Thomas Davison, fined Ioo/. for contempt, by Mr. Justice Best, on his trial for blasphemy, February 23, 1821, 165. Speech on Mr. Lennard's motion for repeal of Seditious Meetings and Blasphemous Libel Acts, May 8, 1821, i66. On Sir F. Burdett's motion for inquiry into the Manchester Massacre of I819, May 15, 182I, i66. On Sir J. Mackintosh's bill fdr abolishing death punishment in cases of forgery, June 4, I821, I6S. Observations on the proceedings of the Constitutional Association, July 3, 1821, i63. Session of 1822, I68. Speech on the proceedings at the Queen's funeral, March 6, 1822, 169. On Lord John Russell's motion on the state of the representation of the People, April 25, 1822, I69. Against renewal of Aliens' Regulation Act, June 5, 1822, 170. On same subject, July 19, 1822, 172. Session of I823, 172. Speech on petition from, Richard Carlile, fined and imprisoned for blasphemous libel, May 8, 1823, 172. On motion of Mr. John Williams for inquiry into delays in Court of Chancery, June 5, 1823, I73. Instances of delay cited by Denman in his speech, I73- Session of 1824, 174. Speech on Mr. George Lamb's motion for leave to bring in a Bill for allowing counsel to prisoners charged with felony, April 6, 1824, 176. Against further renewal of Aliens' Regulation Act, April 12, 1824, I77. Speech on petition of James Silk Buckingham, May 25, 1824, 178. On trial and capital conviction of Missionary Smith at Demerara, June 11, 1824, 178. On Government bill for the suppression of insurrection in Ireland, June 14, 1824, 179. Session of 1825, I80. Passage in King's speech as to the Catholic Association, February 2, I825, 181. Denman's speech in debate on the Address, February 4, I825, I8I. Speech on Government for suppressing unlawful societies in Ireland, February Io, I825, 182. Attack on Lord Eldon as the chief opponent of Catholic Emancipation, 183. Speech on petition against re-enacting the Combination Laws, May 4, 1825, 183. Speech on Chief Justices' and Judges' Salaries Bill, May 16, 1825, 184. Denman's views in 1825, on the position and status of Puisne Judges, 184. Income of Lord Ellenborough while Chief Justice of King's Bench, I85. Sums realized by Chief Justice Eyre by sale of offices in Common Pleas, I85. Salaries of Chief Justices and Judges as fixed by Act of 1825, and as subsequently reduced by Acts of I832 and i85 i, I86. Speech on proposed increase cf allowances to the Duchess of Kent and the Duke of Cumberland, May 27, 1825, 186.'Quarantine Laws, 187. Dr. Baillie's opinion, June 3, 1825, I87. Speech on Sir F. Burdett's motion for producing the evidence taken before the Chancery Commissioners, June 7, 1825, I87. Damaging attack on Lord Eldon as Chancellor, I87. Session of 1826, CONTENTS. xix I88. Denman's observations in debate on Address on the omission of all reference to the Corn Laws in the King's speech, I88. His statement of the distress among the operatives, February 2, I826, 189. Speech on introducing to the House the case of certain slaves hanged in Jamaica in I823, I824, I89. Denman's motion, i89. Canning's speech and amendment, I89. Denman's reply, I90. Canning consents to modify his amendment, March I, 1826, I9I.' Speech on Prisoner's Counsel Bill, April 25, I826, 19i. Last speech of Denman in this Parliament on Brougham's motion for inquiry into the state of Colonial Slavery, May I9, IS826, I9I. Parliament prorogued prior to dissolution, May 31, 1826, I9I. CHAPTER XIV. Denman's article in the " Edinburgh Review" for March, 1824, on Law Reform, I92. Defects of the English law of evidehce pointed out, 192. Exclusion of testimony on the ground of interest, I93. Exclusion of prosecutor's evidence as to genuineness of signature in cases of forgery, 193. Interest ought never to exclude testimony, I93. Query as to the case of parties, I94. Protected cases: I. Case of Catholic priest and confessing penitent. 2. Legal adviser and client. 3. Husband and wife, 194. Remarks as to testimony of husband and wife, I94. Present state of English law (1873) as to testimony of husband and wife, 195. As to confidential communications between client and legal adviser, 195. Denman's criticism of defects then (I824) existing in our criminal law procedure, I95. Question as to the superiority, or the reverse, of the French system of interrogating the prisoner over the English system of non-interrogation, I95. Denman's objections to the French system as it affects both the prisoner and the tribunal, I96. Balance of advantages and disadvantages pretty even, I96. Passage from the article relating to the slow progress, but ultimate triumph, of the criminal law reforms of Romilly and Mackintosh, 197. Peel's criminal law codification of I823, abolishing death punishment in above Ioo cases, I98. Encouragement to law reformers to persevere, I99. In I828, in consequence of Brougham's great speech of Feb. 7, a commission appointed to inquire into and report upon the proceedings in actions at law, 200. Denman's answers to questions submitted by the Commissioners suggesting various measures of legal reform, all of which have since been carried out, 200. Denman also publishes a pamphlet on law reform, under the title of " Considerations submittedclto the Commissioners, etc.," urging, inter alia, that no evidence should be excluded on the ground of interest, and suggesting a preliminary settlement of issues, and disposal, at that stage, of all merely formal objections, 20I. Means of proof to be interchangeably exhibited by both parties before trial, 20I. Advantages of the proposed system illustrated XX CONTENTS. by Denman in his pamphlet, 202. Nothing to be left for final adjudication by the court but substantial questions, 202. Value of these suggestions, 203. The present writer's Indian experience as to preliminary settlement of issues, 203. General estimate of the value of Denman's exertions in the cause of Law Reform, 204. CHAPTER XV. Denman's social position from I82I to I828, 205. Residence in Russell Square, 205. His family complete in I823, 205. Excursion into Scotland with Brougham in I823, 205. Hospitable reception by the Scotch Liberals, 205. Lord Rosslyn and Duke of Hamilton, 205. The Glasgow Banquet, 206. High spirits of Brougham and Denman, 206. How Brougham made the Scotch post-horses go, 2056. Death of Dr. Baillie in I823, 206. His high character and great professional sagacity, 206. His diagnosis in Horner's case, 207. The key and the thong, 207. Promotion to the Bench of Gaselee, 1824, 207. His eccentricities, 207. The Mr. Justice Stareleigh of "Pickwick," 207. " Rise up, Sir Stephen," 207. Circuit entries, 208. Going special to Cambridge, 208. Fall in hunting, 208. Marriage of Denman's eldest daughter to Ichabod Charles Wright, Esq., 1825, 208. Letter from Denman to Mrs. Baillie (September 24, I825) as to the intended marriage, etc., 209. Denman's position in London Society, HIolland House, etc., 2Io. Friendship with Sir J. Mackintosh, 210. Note from Mackintosh as to Burke's passage about Hyder Ali hanging like a cloud over the Carnatic, 211I. From same as to the contest of the Greek quotation in Denman's speech for the Queen, 2II. From same as to further diminution of capital punishments, 212. "Capital" anecdote from the Old Bailey, I826, 2I2. Sydney Smith, 213. Rogers, 213. Moore, 213. Campbell, 213. Moore: " a headless note," 213. A " Reginal dinner," 213. Why Mr. Errington was not called on Queen's trial to prove King's marriage with Mrs. Fitzherbert, 213. Brougham's correction of Moore's statement, 213. Thomas Campbell, 2I4. His rhyming invitation to Denman to eat calves's head on January 30, I829, 214. Denman's rhyming reply, 2I5. Mrs. Denman makes her son promise to dine with her on next January 30, 215. The humble memorial of " Henry Brougham, laborer," to Mrs. Denman, 216. Mrs. Denman's reply, 217. Inaugural discourse in I823 at City of London Litelary and Scientific Institution, 2I7. Extracts from, and remarks on its high character as a composition, 2I8. CHAPTER XVI. Rank of King's Counsel vexatiously withheld from Denman, 221. Effect COiNTEVNTS. xxi on his practice and professional emoluments, 22I. Denman, twenty-two years after his call to the Bar still only a stuff gown, 221. His speech at Fishmongers' Hall in 1827, referring to this exclusion, 222. Denman, in 1828, first learns the real cause of his exclusion, viz., the King's belief that the Greek quotation conveyed an odious personal imputation against himself, 224. On this, Denman, as a gentleman, becomes eager to disabuse the King's mind, 224. Applies, but without effect, to Lord Lyndhurst, 224. Then to the Duke of Wellington, at that time Prime Minister, 224. The Duke proposes to speak to the King: "I'll do it; you may rely on me, I'll do it," 225. Denman's memorial to the King, of July 24, I828, 225. The Duke presents it to the King, 226. Results of the Duke's application, 226. Meeting in Downing street, of the Duke, Lyndhurst, and Denman, on December I, I828, 226. King's observations on the memorial, 227. Patent of Precedence granted as from July 24, 227. Denman's gratitude to the Duke of Wellington, 227. Letter from Denman to the Duke (meant to be shown to the King), December 2, 1828, 228. General satisfaction felt at Denman's at length attaining the long withheld professional rank, 229. Congratulatory letters from Lord Holland and Spring Rice (Lord Monteagle), 229. From Abercromby and Lord Rosslyn; from Lord Nugent; from William Smith, of Norwich; from Denman's old personal friends, Francis Hodgson and William Empson; from his mother, 230. CHAPTER XVII.,ord Goderich resigns, 234. Duke of Wellington succeeds, January, 1828, 234. Lord Eldon left out of the new ministry, 234. The reason why, 234. Policy of concession in matters of religious liberty, 234. Repeal of Test and Corporation Acts, 1828, 234. Of Catholic Disabilities, 1829, 235. Denmran's delight at Catholic Emancipation, 236. Letter on it to his eldest daughter, Mrs. Wright, 236. The Duke's position, 236. Peel's position, 237. Party rancor, 237. The conversion of Saint Peel, 237. Denman at Holkham in Christmas vacation of I829-30, 237. Letter to Mrs. Wright, 237. Coke's anecdotes of Fox, 237. Burkle and Windham, 237. Dinner at Lord Petre's, 1790, 237. Fox demolishes the confectionery Bastille, 238. Burke implacable, 238. Windham first opposes, then joins Burke, 233. Finally re-unites with the Whigs, 238. Coke of Holkham in his seventy-eighth year, 239. Routine of life at Holkham I-ouse, 239. Its pictures, 239. Sir Joshua's "Fox," 239. Denman at Covent Garden with his children, January, I830, 239. Letter to Mrs. Wri-ht, 239. Ferocious Dubashes, 240. Fanny Kemble as "Juliet," 240. "Cock Robin," 240. Walk home through the snow, 240. Extract from letter to Mrs. Hodgson, 240. Further criticism on xxii COVNTEANTS. Fanny Kemble's "i Juliet," 241. Pasta and Mademoiselle Mars as " Desdemona," 241. "Othello," at the Tlheatre Francais, 241. Rogers' account of the struggle between the Classicists and Romanticists at Paris, 241. Letter to Mrs. Wright resumed, 241. Political aspects of the time, 241. Ministry weak, 241. Peel irretrievably damaged, 24I. Prospects of Law Reform, 242. The Whigs, 242. The Ultra-Tories, 242. The old " House of Mumpsimus," 242. Lord Wynford and the Duke of Cumberland, 242. Continued ill-feeling of George IV. against Denman, 242. Avoids a personal interview with him as Common Serjeant, 242. Town talk as to this, 243. Brougham's letter on it to Lord Grey, January Io, I830, 243. Attacks on King in the " Times," 243Shaky position of the Wellington Ministry, 243. Sir J. Scarlett's Law Reforms, 244. Legal Terms fixed, 244. Welsh Judicature abolished, 244. Three English judges added, 244. Death of George IV. and accession of William IV., June 26, I830, 244- French Revolution of July, 244. Its effect on England, 244. Eldon's forebodings, 244. Temper of the country, 244. Dissolution (July 24) and General Election, 244. Denman triumphantly returned for Nottingham, 244. Anecdotes of his canvass, 245. Brougham for Yorkshire, 245. His astonishing canvass, 245. Just exultation of his victory, 245. Denman's letter to Merivale, August 25, I830, 246. Doubts as to expediency of vote by ballot, but no doubt that it should be tried if desired as a protection, 246. CHAPTER XVIII. Opening of the New Parliament, November 2, I830, 248. Brougham's notice of motion on Parliamentary Reform for November i6, 249. The Duke of Wellington's declaration in the House of Lords against any reform in Parliament, November 2, 1830, 248. Denman's first speech in the new Parliament, in debate on the Address, November 3, 249. His reference to and condemnation of the Duke's declaration, 249. Effect of the Duke's declaration, 250. Panic in London, 250. The police maltreated and the Duke himself mobbed, 250. The King and Queen prevented from going to the Lord Mayor's banquet, 250. Lord Macaulay's description of the panic, 250. Denman's speech on November 8, condemning the attacks on the police, and the outrage to tlie Duke, 250. Peel's compliment to Denman on his speech, 251. Denman's letter to Mrs. Wright, of November 12, I830, 251. He is of the "young party," 25I. Believes the Duke's position to be untenable, 25I. IHad expected him to take up Parliamentary Reform as he had Catholic Emancipation, 252. The Duke of Wellington resigns on November I6, 252. Earl Grey's Ministry formed, 253. Brougham, Chancellor, 253. Denman, Attorney-General, 253. Magnanimity of William IV. and its effects on CONTENT S. xxiii Denman, 253. His reference to it in the House of Commons, 253. Dennman's re-election for Nottingham, 254. The Duke of NewcaStle, in the House of Lords, complains of his speech, on being re-elected, 254. Brougham explains, and the Duke takes nothing by his motion, 254. Denman's appointment as Attorney-General highly popular, 254. Letter of congratulation from W. WV Pepys, 254. Denman resigns the office of Common Serjeant, 255. Thanks of the city for the manner in which he had discharged it, 255. Testimony to the same effect of the Old Bailey Bar, 256. Denman's opinion expressed in Parliament as to vote by ballot, November 22, 1830, 256. As to Lord (then Mr.) Campbell's bill for registration of Deeds, December i6, 1830, 256. Defence of Brougham from an attack by Sugden, and eulogies on him, 257. Denman at close of 183o and beginning of I831, conducts the prosecution against the agrarian rioters, tried before the Special Commissions at Winchester and Salisbury, 257. His humane and able conduct of the prosecution, 258. Interest of the King in the proceedings, 258. Correspondence thereon between Denman and the King through Sir Herbert Taylor, 258. Sense of IHouse of Commons as to value of Denman's exertions shown on Hunt's motion for an amnesty to all the convicts, 258. Denman's speech on that motion, February I3, I83I, 258. Denman's prosecutions, ex-ofifcio, against Carlile and Cobbett for stirring up the peasantry to insurrection, 259. Passages selected for prosecution in Carlile's case; in Cobbett's case, 260. Carlile tried on January Io, I831, 261. Convicted and severely sentenced, 261. Cobbett's trial postponed till July, 183I, 261. Cobbett's able speech in his own defence, 261. "The lank and merciless Whigs," etc., 262. The jury cannot agree and Cobbett is discharged, 262. Denman, in consequence of this trial, in bad odor with the advanced Liberals, 262. This was the last of Denman's ex-offcio prosecutions, though frequently afterwards pressed to prosecute at the instance of the King, 263. Letter from Lord Grey on the subject, May 4, I831, 263- Mr. (afterwards Sir ) Fowell Buxton's resolutions of April 15, I831, for the abolition of Slavery, 263. Denman's speech in favor of them, 264. Letter from the venerable William Wilberforce introducing his son Samuel to Denman, 264. CHAPTER XIX. Driginal Reform Bill drawn by Denman as Attorney-General, 266. Note to him respecting it from Lord John Russell, February, 1831, 267. Denman's duties in connection with the Bill, 267. His first speech on the Bill in debate on first reading, March 2, 1831, 267. Passage in answer to Lord Leveson Gower, 268. "Men of intelligence and integrity should not stoop at all," 268. Reference to his own entry into Parlia xxiv CONTENTS. ment as member for the close borough of Wareham, 269. Second speech on the Bill in debate on second reading, March 22, 1831, 269. The majority of one for the second reading, 27I. Third speech on the Bill on General Gascoigne's motion of April I9, I831, 271. Majority of nine against Government, 27I. Dissolution of April 22, 1831, 272. Denman's letter to Mrs. Wright, 272. The Borough-mongers die hard, 272. General election of I83I, 272. " The Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the Bill," 272. Denman's re-election at Nottingham, 272. No opposition, 272. His letter on it to Lady Denman of April 29, 272. His great popularity at Nottingham, 273. The Bill re-introduced into the Commons, 273. Second reading carried on July 7, by a majority of I36, 273. The Bill in Committee for forty sittings, 273. Labors of the Attorney-General, 273. The summer session of 1831, 273- Mrs. IIodgson's recollections of it, 274. Bill passes the Commons by a majority of Io9 on September 22, I83I, 274. Denman's letter to Mrs. Wright describing the debate, 274. Macaulay, 275. Stanley, 275. Croker, 275. Peel, 275. Brougham's Bankruptcy Bill brought down from the House of Lords on September 28, 275. Denman's letter to his wife of April:9, 275. Threatened opposition to the Bankruptcy Bill, 275. Brougham at Windsor, 276. William IV. shows him the royal kitchens, 276. Prospects of Reform, 276. The King, the Queen, the Lords, 276. Discussions on Brougham's Bankruptcy Bill, 276. Strong and harassing opposition of the Tory lawyers, 276. Finally passed on October I8, 276. Denman's friend, Merivale, appointed a Commissioner, 277. The Lords throw out the Reform Bill by a majority of forty-one on October 8, i831, 277. The great debate in the Lords, 277. Speeches of Brougham and of Lord Grey, 277. Wild commotion through the country, 277. Nottingham, 277. Bristol, 277. Birmingham, 277. Bill introduced a third time into House of Commons on December 12, 277. Debate on second reading commences Friday, December i6, 277. Closes on Sunday morning the I8th, with a majority of I62 for the Bill, 277. CHAPTER XX. Early in January, 1832, Denman, as Attorney-General, prosecutes the Bristol rioters before a special commission, 279. The House reassembles on January I9, and the Bill again goes into committee, 279. Croker in his glory, 279. Macaulay and Croker, on March I9, in the debate on the final third reading in the Commons, 279. Parallel between Cholera and Reform, 280. Croker in the smoking-room of the house, 280. Denman's letter thence to Mrs. Wright, 28I. Denman speaks on third reading, March 20, 281. Bill, as amended, sent up to the Lords, 282. Read a second time there, April 14, 282. Bill in committee in the Lords, 282. CONTENTS. xxv Majority against ministers on Lord Lyndhurst's motion, May 7, 282. Grey and Brougham go down to the King at Windsor, May 8, 282. The King accepts the resignation of the Reform ministry, May 9, 282. Popular excitement, 282. Duke of Wellington unable to form a Cabinet, 282. The Grey ministry reinstated, May I8, 282. Consequence to Denman, at this time, of permanent loss of office, 282. His letter to Mrs. Wright, written between the 9th and I8th of May, 283. Contents: His feeling of anxiety for the country, and of disappointment as regards the King, 283. Professional prospects, 283. The Bench, 283. The Speakership, 283. Loss of office, how received by his wife and family, 284. His son Joseph, 284. Intrigues by which the fall of the Whig ministry was brought about, 284. Lord Lyndhur'st, Mephistopheles, 284. Baring, 284. Peel, 284. Denman's satisfaction that the whole Cabinet had resolved on resignation, 285. Legal gossip, 285. Revenue case before Lyndhurst, as Chief Baron, 285. Mr. "Rat," 285.' Scotch appeal case before Brougham, 285. "Poor as a rat," 285. Another case before Lord Lyndhurst, " When rogues fall out honest men come by their own," 285. Jeffrey (Lord Advocate) taken by Denman to see his mother, 286. Debate on Lord Stormont's motion on the "Conduct of the Press," May 2, I832, 286. Article in "Satirist" of May 13, brought to Denman's attention, 286. He declines to prosecute ex-oficio, 287. HIis reasons, 287. Peel misrepresents his speech, 287. Denman explains his views of the duty of an Attorney-General in regard to Press Prosecutions, 288. William IV. writes to Lord Althorpe, to ascertain Denman's real views on the subject, 288. Lord Althorpe, in consequence, writes to Denman on May 23, 289. Denman prepares, and sends on May 24," A Memorial on ex-offcio ilnformations," 289. Its contents, 289. Explanation of what he said on the subject on Lord Stormont's motion, 289. The real question one not so much of feeling as expediency, 290. Prosecution gives publicity to what might otherwise pass unnoticed, 291. The AttorneyGeneral should never take action without specific instruction in cases of personal libel, 291. Inconveniences of having publicly to state objections against proceeding ex-officio, 91r. Devoted expressions of loyalty to William IV., 292. The King's remarks in reply to the memorial, May 26, I832, 293. The Lords abandon their opposition to the Reform Bill, 293. It passes the Lords on June 4 by I8o to 22, 294. Receives the royal assent, June 7, I832, 294. CHAPTER XXI. Discussions on the Russian-Dutch loan, 295. Case of Daniel Whittle Har. vey, 296. Debate on June 14, 1832, 296. D-enman's speech on, 298. Bill abolishing death punishment for forgery carried through the Corn xxvi CONTERNTS. mons, 288. Altered in Lords, 298. Mr. Ewart's bill abolishing death punishment for horse stealing and for stealing over 51. in a dwelling house, 299. Mr. Warburton's clause for opening Coroners' inquests to the public, 299. Chancery sinecures Abolition Bill, 299. Sugden's question in the Commons, 299. Brougham's attack on Sugden in the Lords, 299. The "Bug" speech, 299. William Brougham's explanation in the Commons, 300. Retiring pension and salary of the Lord Chancellor, 300. Present amount of Chancellor's salary, 300. Severe Parliamentary and forensic labors of Denman since November I830, 300. Stony Middleton first occupied Denman in 1830, 301. The house and grounds, 30oi. His delight in them, 30I. Pleasant society near Stony Middleton, 302. The Hodgsons, 302. Arkwrights, 302. Strutts, 302. Duke of Devonshire, 302. The session of I832 terminates on August i6, 302. Letter from Denman to Merivale of August 17, 303. The " traitor of Ascot Heath," 303. Break-up of the session, 303. Joe in the "Snake," 303. Three letters to Merivale of August 14, and September 4 and I i, containing statements of Denman's political views, 304. First letter, August 24, 304. Early political opinions, 304. Never a Republican, 304. The greatest of all political evils, 304. The true remedy, 305. Instances, 305. Paramount necessity for reform in Parliament, 305. Early hopes that men of all parties would concur in Reform, 305. Expectation that the Duke would talke it up, as he had Catholic Emancipation, 305. The rancorous Tory opposition to Reform a surprise to Denman, 305. Critical position of the Whig Government, 306. Line taken by Peel, 3o6. Harsh judgment of him, 306. Position of the Lords and the Church, 306. The Reform agitation a consequence of the Tory opposition, 307. Wetherell's speeches, 307. Political unions, 307. Physical force put down by the Whigs, 307. Invitation to stand for Derbyshire, 307. Brougham like Mazeppa's horse, 308. Second letter, Serplember 4, 308. Family party at Stony Middleton, 308. Hodgsons, 308. Arkwrights, 308. The Duke of Devonshire, 308. Notion of standing for the county abandoned, 309. Political considerations resumed, 309. Denman a conservative reformer, 309. Reform without revolution the work of the Whig ministry, 309. Retrenchment, what should be its limits, 309. Position of the Church, 309. Prospects of Church reform, 309. Will Church reformers be content with Lord Henley's scheme? 3 I. Probable action of the Dissenters and Catholics, 3Io. 7'zird Letter to llMerivale, Septenzber ii, I832, 31i. General demand for Church reform, 3II. Vested interests cry, 31 I. Answer to it, 311. Mischievous Tory opposition, 312. Party of the movement and movement of parties, 312. Should the ministry draw a ne plus zultra line and defend it at all costs, 312. Argument against a policy of resistance, 312. True policy of the Whig ministry in the future, 313. Defence of their policy in the past, 313. The state of the public mind forced on Reform, and was not caused by it, 313. CONVTENTS. xxvii Praise of the ministry for preserving peace at home and abroad, 313. Letter from Denman to his mother, October 7, I832, 314. How time has passed at Stony Middleton, 314. Election prospects at Nottingham, 3I5. Chadwick, 315. The invitation to stand for Derbyshire, 315. Notion at one time of accepting it, 315. Whence the notion arose, 315. His rough reception by the " Lambs " of Nottingham in August, 1832, owing to the execution of three of the Nottingham rioters, 315. Finding afterwards that his return was safe, he elects to stand for the borough and declines the county, 3 6. CHAPTER XXII. Trial at Bar of Mayor of Bristol and others, 317. Lord Tenterden sits in court for the last time on third day of the trial, October 27, 317. Dies on November 3, I832, 317. Denman appointed his successor, November 6, I832. Reason for this expedition, 318. Good sense and magnanimity of William IV., 318. Denman's letter of acknowledgment t6 Lord Grey, 318. His appointment generally popular, 3I9. The best since Lord Holt, 3I9. Article from "Morning Herald" on the relative claims of Denman and Lyndhurst, 319. Letter from Denman to his wife announcing his appointment, November 7, I832, 322. Shadwell makes the farewell speech at Lincoln's Inn, 323. Letter from Denman to his wife, November I4, 323. First week as Chief Justice, 321. Demeanor of Bench and Bar, 324. Copley, 324. Scarlett, 314. Quarrel of Scarlett and Denman on Mayor of Bristol's trial, 324. Supreme happiness of Denman's mother, 324. Letter of Congratulation from Spring Rice, 324. Reason of the general satisfaction at Denman's appointment, 324. Address from Master and Fellows of St. John's College, Cambridge, 325. Deputation and address from City of London, 326. The Chief Justice's reply, 327. CHAPTER XXIII. Puisne Judges of Court of King's Bench on Denman's accession, 329. Littledale, 329. Parke, 329. Patteson, 329. Taunton, 329. Denman's relations as Chief with the other judges of his court, 33I. Extract from letter to Rev. R. W. Vevers, 331. Pleasant picture of judicial harmony, 33I. Denman from the first pupular as a judge, 33I. His judicial qualifications, 332. Emoluments of the Chief Justiceship, 331. Verbal understanding with Brougham on appointment, 332. Denman throughout the whole term of his office only drew 8,ooo/. instead of I,oo0/. a year, 332. Query, what went with the difference? 332. Present salaries of Chief Justices not fixed till I85I, 332. Denman's great and successful exertions to clear off arrears, 333. Severe judicial labors, 333. He keeps xxviii CONTEVNTS. up his interest in literature, 333. Letters to his son-in-law, Mr. Wright, on his translation of the "Inferno," Jan. I, 1833; and remarks on merits of the translation, 334. General impression of the " Inferno," 334. The two great episodes, 334. Francesca and Ugolino, 334. Interest inspired by Dante, 335. Desire to know the facts of his life and times, 335. Dante's style, 335. The allegorizing commentators, 335. Death of Denman's mother, January 29, 1833, 336. Her character, 336. Affection and attentions of her son, 336. Denman's first judicial circuit, the Midland, 337. Spring Assizes, 1833, 337. His son George goes the same circuit as Judge forty years later in Spring Assizes of I873, 337. Curious Coincidences of time, 337. Impression produced by Denman as Judge on his first circuit, 337. Correspondence when on circuit, 338. Extracts from letters to Lady Denman from Lincoln and Warwick, 338. To his daughter Margaret, on "getting poetry by heart," etc., 340. Denman on Northern Circuit, Summer Assizes, 1833, 340. Extract from letter to Mrs. Baillie from York, 340. To Lady Denman from Carlisle, 34I. Durham described, 341. Hospitalities of the Prince-Bishop, 34I. Newcastle, 34I. From Newcastle to Carlisle, 341. Scottish mountains, etc.,' 342. To Lady Denman from Appleby, 343. Brougham Hall, 343. Lowther Castle, 343. LIFE OF THOMAS, FIRST LORD DENMAN. CHAPTER I. DESCENT, PARENTAGE, BIRTH, AND CHILDHOOD. A.D. I779 TO I788. FAMILY OF DENMANS had for many genera