[33] Sir Anthony Hart, of considerable experience in the principles and practice of the Court of Chancery; but a prosing and monotonous advocate. One of his long speeches has frequently set me to sleep, and I believe I was not singular in my drowsiness. He has recently been created Vice Chancellor.
[34] Edward Burtenshaw Sugden, a counsel who always reads his briefs, and does justice to his case. He has written a book on powers, which he frequently cites as “The Book on Powers.” He has great talent, and has also the wit to know it. The Sussex election, at which he was so hastily “perused and settled” by Sir Godfrey Webster must be fresh in public recollection. His conduct more recently, on proposing himself for a borough, and offering to be guided in his politics by the wishes of the electors, deserves severe reprehension; but for this perhaps he is sufficiently punished by the exposure of his correspondence to that effect.
[35] William Horne, an angry snarler, of fluent speech, but feeble argument.
[36] Lancelot Shadwell, who well merits all that is said of him.
[37] John Fonblanque; who has merited more than he has obtained. His notes to the Treatise on Equity, are written with very considerable talent.
[38] Mr. Park, who some few years ago published a book of some merit, but which, it was said, he never wrote. This work, however, and his affectation of extraordinary piety seem to have been the cause of his elevation to a dignity, for which he was totally incompetent. His behaviour in court was occasionally that of an ideot. When on the circuit, the door of the town-hall must not creak, nor he be kept a moment from his dinner under any circumstances. His ill-temper exposed him to continual quarrels with the counsel, and whenever he found himself in the wrong, he talked of behaving towards one he might have offended with the patience of a Christian judge.
[39] George Heald, a man of great abilities, and considerable wit, but so idle that he seldom reads his brief. If the statements of counsel may be supposed to have any weight on the mind of the judge, what must be the situation of Heald’s client;—of whom the adverse counsel may state what he pleases as alledged in the pleadings without the fear of contradiction; for how can the other know whether it be true or false? To be sure if Agar were his adversary, he might give a shrewd guess!
[40] Sir Charles Weatherall!—late attorney general;—an office, to which it should seem he had long aspired. His defence of Watson, Thistlewood, &c. is well known; and the motive of his conduct in that affair is said to have been disappointed ambition. On the occasion of the late change in the ministry, it was asserted that a letter from the premier, appointing Sir Charles, Master of the Rolls, and from Sir Charles, tendering his resignation of the office of Attorney General, crossed each other on the road.
[41] James Lewis Knight;—of whose sound judgment and sterling talents I am glad to have an opportunity of offering this small tribute of admiration.
[42] Basil Montagu!—employed only in bankruptcy cases. He is particularly notorious in stickling for retainers; without which he pretends to think himself justified to support a petition to-day, and oppose it to-morrow. He is also an author; or, I should rather say, a compositor of books, which are sometimes bought, but not much read. I do not trouble myself about his genealogy.