E.: "You have stated that you saw no one act done or committed by either of the defendants indicative of an intention to aid O'Connor's escape ?"

S.: "Certainly."

E.: "I ask you, then, whether you believe that they did take auy part in rescuing Mr. O'Connor ?"

S.: "Certainly not."

However, the jury could never get over the WISH that O'Connor should escape; * so both defendants were convicted, and although their right arms were not cut off— the specific punishment to which it was said they were liable they were sentenced to heavy fines and long imprisonment.†

Law recon

There had hitherto been a certain mistrust of Law, on account of his early Whiggery; but he was now hailed as a sincere Tory, and his ciled to the promotion was certain.

Tories.

For several more years, however, no vacancy occurred, and his highest distinction was being leader of the Northern Circuit. There, indeed, he reigned supreme, without any brother being near the throne. He had completely supplanted Serjeant Cockell, who, notwithstanding a most curious nescience of law, had for some time been profanely called "the Almighty of the North.” Some juniors had taken the coif without emerging from obscurity, and the only other silk gown on the circuit was worn by "Jemmy Park," whom Law could twist round his finger at any time. Scarlett, in stuff, began to show formidable powers; but as yet was hardly ever trusted with a lead. Being so decidedly the "Cock of the Circuit," it is not wonderful that Law should crow very fiercely. According to all accounts, he did become

* Sheridan used afterwards to pretend that he had the best of it, and that he put Law down effectually. Among other questions and answers not to be found in the full and accurate report of the short-hand writer who was present, he

used to relate-"When Law said, 'Pray, Mr. Sheridan, do answer my question, without point or epigram,' I retorted, You say true, Mr. Law; your questions are without point or epigram."" +27 St. Tr. 821.

excessively arrogant, and he sometimes treated rudely both his brother barristers and others with whom he came into collision.

His readiness

He was always ready, however, to give satisfaction for any supposed affront which he offered. to fight. Once he happened, at York, to be counsel for the defendant in an action on a horse-race, the conditions of which required that the riders should be "gentlemen." The defence was that the plaintiff, who had won the race, was not a “gentleman." A considerable body of evidence was adduced on both sides, and Mr. Law commented upon it most unmercifully. The jury found for the defendant that the plaintiff was "not a gentleman." The defeated party blustered much, and threatened to call the audacious advocate to an account. Law, putting off his journey to Durham for a day, walked about booted and spurred before the coffee-house, the most public place in York, ready to accept an invitation into the field or to repel force by force, because personal chastisement had likewise been threatened. No message was sent, and no attempt was made to provoke a breach of the peace.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

CONTINUATION OF THE LIFE OF LORD ELLENBOROUGH TILL HE WAS APPOINTED LORD CHIEF JUSTICE.

General.

THE great Northern leader had reached his fifty-first year, and still the political promotion which He is made he so earnestly desired never opened to him. AttorneyHaving till then, in his own language, "crawled along the ground without being able to raise himself from it," in the language of his friend Archdeacon Paley, "he suddenly rose like an aëronaut."*

Mr. Pitt, in 1801, stepped down from the premiership, and, a new arrangement of legal offices following, Mr. Addington, the new minister, sent for Mr. Law, and offering him the Attorney-Generalship, ob- Feb. 1801. served, "That as his ministry might be of

short duration, and the sacrifice to be made considerable, comprising the lead of the Northern Circuit, to which there was no return, he would not expect an immediate answer, but hoped that in two days he might receive one?" Sir," said Mr. Law, "when such an offer is made to me, and communicated in such terms, I should

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*Paley had been chaplain to Law's father, the bishop, who gave him his first preferment, and there was the strictest intimacy between Law and Paley through life. The former, when Chief Justice, has been heard to say, Although I owed much to Paley as an instructor (for he was practically my tutor at college), I was much more indebted to him for the independent tone of mind which I acquired through his conversation and example: Paley formed

my character; and I consider that I owe my success in life more to my character than to any natural talents I may possess." Law corrected for Paley the proof-sheets of some of his works as they were passing through the press; and in Law's house in Bloomsbury Square there was an apartment which went by the name of "Paley's room," being reserved for the Archdeacon when he paid a visit to the metropolis.

excessively arrogant, and he sometimes both his brother barristers and others came into collision.

His readiness to fight.

He was always ready, however, to for any supposed affront v Once he happened, at York, the defendant in an action on a ho ditions of which required that the

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gentlemen." The defence was that had won the race, was not a "gentlema able body of evidence was adduced o Mr. Law commented upon it most un jury found for the defendant that the a gentleman." The defeated party blɩ threatened to call the audacious advoc Law, putting off his journey to Du walked about booted and spurred befor the most public place in York, ready t tation into the field or to repel force personal chastisement had likewise be message was sent, and no attempt wa a breach of the peace.

nd of March, 1801, he

doctrine for which I ihurst strenuously conbe made in parliament tained or expressed by to parliament. Having to the Whigs till 1792, is eager to embrace every eering at that party in dition.

apel too late in life to be as he spoke he commanded manner and the rotundity old members of Thurlow), tion to his em- March 19. ch was made in

ing martial law in Ireland, urisdiction over all offences, death. He contended that e extinction of rebellion in s operation the House owed that moment, for without it have been involved in one of the late rebellion he con

the history of an

so aimed at the

political instituti

affections

anctions