Page:A Sketch of the Characters of Sir John Patteson and Sir John Coleridge.djvu/7

 oak. Simplicity, perspicuity, and profound knowledge were the invariable characteristics of Patteson's arguments. A calm address, careful study, and persuasive reasoning showed that Coleridge had a greater aptitude for skilful defence than for aggressive warfare.

Two such men are almost sure to reach the Bench; but before they won that dignified position, a quieter honour was conferred upon them, for Patteson became one of Nobody's Friends in 1816, and Coleridge in 1820.

The promotion of each of them to the Judicial Bench has an interesting anecdote connected with it. A new and difficult point of law had arisen with reference to a Prebendary's right of presentation, and it was argued by Patteson on an appeal in Error from the Court of Common Pleas. The Bench were unmistakeably against him; but his reasoning was so clear, so terse, so cogent, that judgment was given in his favour. The calm-thinking Tenterden was struck with admiration, and the kind-hearted Bayley was so pleased that he sent down this pithy note to the successful advocate:

"Dear P. Per Tenterden, Ch. Justice. An admirable argument. He is fit to be an early judge."

An early judge he soon became, for Lord Lyndhurst appointed him to that high office when he was only forty years of age.Coleridge's promotion is not less pleasing. In the course of time another vacancy occurred in the Queen's Bench. Lord Lyndhurst had succeeded so well with Patteson, that he asked him to recommend "a very good man for the vacant judgeship." "You need not go further than my brother-in-law," was Patteson's reply. Lord Lyndhurst took the hint, and so the two friends who had sat together in the same form as boys at Eton, had then the pleasure of sitting together as judges on the same Bench in Westminster Hall.

Their judicial career did not end here. For when a physical infirmity in the one case, and increasing years in the other, constrained them to retire from their more active and laborious duties, they each of them became Privy Councillors and honoured members of the Judicial Committee.

All the fine qualities which they had shown at the Bar were of essential service to them when seated on the Bench.