Page:Dictionary of National Biography. Sup. Vol I (1901).djvu/328

 Brett to Lord Bramwell's bill to render the testimony of accused persons and their wives admissible in criminal courts helped to postpone a needful reform for some years. In drawing attention (17 July 1890) to defects in the administration of the law, he took occasion to deplore the introduction of chancery procedure into the queen's bench division. At the same time, however, he unequivocally declared in favour of a court of criminal appeal, and his last speech (8 July 1898) was in support of the measure (since carried) to validate within the United Kingdom marriages with deceased wives' sisters duly solemnised in the colonies. He died at his town house, 6 Ennismore Gardens, Kensington, on 24 May 1899, leaving issue by his wife Eugénie (married 3 April 1850), only daughter of Louis Mayer, and stepdaughter of Colonel Gurwood, C.B., an heir, Reginald Baliol, who succeeded him in title and estate.

Esher's seat was Heath Farm, Watford, Hertfordshire, but his remains were interred in the family vault appendant to Moore Place, the seat of his younger brother. Sir Wilford Brett, K.C.M.G., in Esher churchyard. The vault contains his monument, a stately marble structure, with recumbent effigies of himself and Lady Esher, erected some years before his death, and also the tomb of his younger son. Lieutenant Eugène Leopold Brett, who died on 8 Dec. 1882 of fever contracted in Egypt. Despite the bereavement which clouded his old age, Esher retained to the end no little of the elasticity of youth. His strongly marked and somewhat stern features readily relaxed under the influence of a humorous suggestion, and his brusque, and in court sometimes overbearing, manners belied the kindness of his heart. He was essentially vir pietate gravis, and exemplary in all the relations of life. He was also fond of society, and society was fond of him. He was an indefatigable collector of curios, and was never happier than when displaying his treasures to his guests at Ennismore Gardens. His portrait by Millais was exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1887.

 BREWER, EBENEZER COBHAM (1810–1897), miscellaneous writer, second son of John Sherren Brewer [q. v.], was born on 2 May 1810, in Russell Square, London, and educated by private tutors. He proceeded to Trinity Hall, Cambridge, in 1832, obtained the freshmen's prizes for Latin and English essays, was first prizeman in the next two years, and, though strongly advised to go out in mathematics, took his degree in the civil law (first class) in 1835. He was ordained deacon in 1834, priest in 1836, proceeded to the degree of LL.D. in 1840, and devoted himself to literature. For six years, from 1852, he resided in Paris. On his return to England he resided for a time in Bernard Street, Russell Square, and then moved to St. Luke's Villas, Westbourne Park. Failing health compelled him to retire into the country, and he lived for many years at Lavant, near Goodwood. He died on 6 March 1897 at Edwinstowe vicarage, Newark, where he had been residing with his son-in-law, the Rev. H. T. Hayman. In 1856 he married at Paris Ellen Mary, eldest daughter of the Rev. Francis Tebbutt of Hove.

His principal works are: 1. ‘A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar,’ 2nd edit. London [1848], 24mo; 11th edit. [1857] 8vo. A French edition of this popular ‘Guide to Knowledge’ appeared under the title of ‘La Clef de la Science, ou les Phénomènes de tous les jours expliqués. Troisième édition, corrigée par M. l'Abbé Moigno,’ Paris, 1858, 12mo. A Greek translation by P. I. Kritides was published at Smyrna in 1857, 8vo. 2. ‘A Political, Social, and Literary History of France,’ London [1863], 8vo. 3. ‘Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, giving the Derivation, Source, or Origin of Common Phrases,’ London [1870], 8vo; 3rd edit. [1872-3]; 12th edit, revised [1881]; enlarged, 100th thousand, 1895. 4. ‘Errors of Speech and of Spelling,’ 2 vols. London, 1877, 8vo. 5. ‘The Reader's Handbook of Allusions, References, Plots, and Stories,’ London, 1880, 8vo; 3rd edit. 1882; new edit. revised throughout and greatly enlarged, London, 1898, 8vo. 6. ‘A Political, Social, and Literary History of Germany,’ London, 1881, 8vo. 7. ‘Etymological and