I have always understood that he was a great worker: one of the gang, like Francis Jeune and Rufus Isaacs, who could light a fire and brew tea at any ghastly hour a.m.
Soon after he became Lord Chief, Alverstone presided at the Annual Dinner of the Actors' Benevolent Fund. He made an eloquent appeal on its behalf and generously headed the list of subscriptions. This was not the only instance of the real interest he took in the drama, being of great service when the old Covent Garden Theatre Fund came to an end.
He was no mean athlete, and fond of all sports; also a capital singer—a conspicuous figure for many years in the choir of the church in the Kensington High Street.
I have had the privilege to know, but not to act as their host, all the eminent lawyers who have held the office of Lord Chief Justice of England since the Cockburn days: Coleridge, Reading, Trevethin and Hewart.
The late Lord Esher, Master of the Rolls, my wife and I had the pleasure to know well and to delight in his friendship and hospitality. My acquaintance began when the Courts were held in Westminster Hall, and I was foreman of a jury before "Mr. Justice Brett," in an interesting case, but troublesome to me, as it kept me from important rehearsals.
In a New Year letter to my wife he addressed her as:
"DEAR FRIEND,—You are a very perplexing person to write to. If I say 'Dear old friend' it won't do in every sense: because, although you are an old friend, you are in looks and ways a young woman. If I say 'Dear little friend,' it is a term of endearment—but you are a very great person. However, I begin by wishing you both a very happy year. If it is as prosperous as your goodness deserves I can wish you in that respect no more. I cannot tell you how I chafed under not being able to see you in Money; but in the mornings I was in Court, and in the evenings did not venture out! Vile old age!! Lady Esher went to see you, and told me she had never seen anything more charming than you. With that I stop. My love to you both. Believe me always a very true admirer and very truly yours."
Of all the judges I have known I think the imposing presence of Lord Hannen on the Bench was second to none. His dignity appealed to me enormously when, through the kindness of the Bar, I attended some of the sittings of the Parnell Commission. I remember my wife saying to him at our table, when he was President of the Divorce Court, that he seemed to her to pass too much of his life in separating united couples. His answer was that he passed much more of it in wondering why the couples had ever wished to be joined together.
James of Hereford
I never knew much of Lord James of Hereford, but saw a good deal in early days of Mr. Henry James, a successful self-made barrister who had just taken silk, and was on the way to the great position he reached.