Page:Chronicle of the law officers of Ireland.djvu/343

318 would feel it necessary or pleasant to spend some part of each session in London.

The increase of equity business bore a proportioned correspondence, not merely to the improved wealth of individuals, but to practical fraud, and intended injustice or delay; therefore two courts of concurrent Chancery jurisdiction were requisite to keep pace with multiplied suits, and administer relief here as in England. Every modern correction of Irish administration or judicial practice, clearly exhibits ancient and inveterate abuse. The legal tenure of a Master of the Rolls is admitted by the repealing statute to be during pleasure, and the Sovereign enabled to give the possessor proper judicial permanence.

The Duke of Leinster succeeded Mr. Rigby, and a peer of both kingdoms dwindled into an officer of Chancery, who had however as a predecessor, an English peer. Lord Berkeley, of Stratton. On his Grace's removal, this lucrative sinecure was divided between two Irish noblemen, to whom on this statutable settlement, adequate compensation was given. The office thus aft«%d was conferred upon a Baron of the Exchequer, whose retreat from public station met every possible respect which a learned body owed to a most accomplished brother. A statute, which enables sheriffs to pay for the lodging of Judges on circuit, was enacted in the year 1801. These officers are to be allowed by a certificate from the judges such expense, so it exceed not twenty pounds each assizes.

The Irish Lord Chancellor attended the session of 1801, but his death took place in January, 1802. The British Cabinet determined with promptitude, and did not give much consideration to the struggles of Irish party. The new Chancellor, Lord Redesdale, was not more remarkable than the office from whence he was removed. That gentleman shifted from the situation of Attorney-General in the preceding year to that of Speaker, though the office of Master of the Rolls was then vacant, and could not possibly be refused to his solicitation; but I presume that the new administration conceived him still better adapted