Page:Chronicle of the law officers of Ireland.djvu/344

Rh for the senatorial chair, and pressed a favourite into that service. By this singular movement he exchanged the certain prospect of a lucrative and permanent equity position, for the slippery and stormy rank of Irish Chancellor, Unknown parties and a strange country were also to be tried instead of experienced friends in his native land. His public conduct exhibited an ambiguity which might with propriety induce him to confine his attention to Chancery business, and unite by this wise but unambitious conduct, national approbation of acknowledged equity experience and technical accuracy. An useful practical treatise anticipated judicial skill, with an indisposition to, and ignorance of, state business: besides, the Union rendered an Irish Cabinet unnecessary, and, in the opinion of many intelligent Irishmen, pernicious. Such hitherto subsisted as a screen between the English Government and this kingdom, to which may be attributed much domestic tyranny and discontent.

The wisdom of our constitution annexes to great offices certain ancient fees, which, whether existing under common or statute law, so far lighten the royal establishment, and give a recompense to the individual in proportion to his presumed personal labour. Places have thus, by the flux of time, shifted in emolument to inconsiderable value, whilst rank and precedence remain unaltered. The Chancellorship is, however, that high and laborious station which when conscientiously discharged claims an ample and easy recompense. That officer is not more bound to keep his Sovereign's conscience, than to preserve by precept and example a spirit of justice through the land.

The Union Act exhibits an instance of precipitancy or omission with respect to the Great Seal. The possessor was amply recompensed as Speaker of the House of Lords, and not delayed for such specific provision, or referred to a board of commissioners. Equal reason applied to preserve the office in adequate independence.

In the year 1802 it was enacted, that out of the Irish consolidated fund so much shall be paid to the Irish Chancellor as