Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/416

 The English Law Courts. colonial successes. He returned to England and joined the home circuit. At first for tune hid her face, and he was about to return to the theatre of his old triumphs. But acci dent threw him in the way of the incalculable Pitt; he was able to give the great commoner some information which he desired relative to Canada; and a seat for Shaftesbury in November, 1790, rewarded his intelligence. For many years he

SIR WILLIAM was one of Pitt's most GRANT. constant supporters in the House of Com Having touched mons, as Member of upon the careers of Parliament, first for the two great law re Shaftesbury and af formers who have oc terwards for Banff. cupied the office of Master of the. Rolls, The fortune which Pitt commenced for we may now take a group of great mer Grant, Lord Thurlow cantile lawyers who completed. Struck have held the same by the advocate's high position. First ability in arguing a in order is Sir William Scotch appeal before Grant. Like Lord the House of Lords, Mansfield, to whose the grim old Chan genius he, in some cellor advised him to points, more nearly betake himself to the approached than any Equity side. The re of his successors, sult justified ThurGrant was a Scotch low's counsel. Grant man. He was born soon acquired a lead LORD JUSTICE LOPES. at Elchies in Moray ing practice. In April, shire, in 1755, and 1 793, he was appoint was educated at the grammar school of El ed one of the judges of the Carmarthen Cir gin, the University of Aberdeen and the Uni cuit; in 1795 he became solicitor-general to the versity of Leyden. After a brief apprentice Queen; in 1798 he was appointed Chief-Jus ship in an attorney's office, he became a stu tice of Chester; in July, 1799, he was made dent of Lincoln's Inn in 1769, and was called Solicitor-General and knighted. On May 27th, to the bar in 1774. Grant commenced his 180 1, he was raised to the mastership of the Rolls. While holding this office Grant was public career by commanding a body of vo destined once more to resume his military lunteers during the siege of Quebec, whither habits. Bonaparte was threatening England he had gone to practice. His military efforts with invasion and men of all ranks and pro commended him to the Governor who made fessions threw themselves into the work of him Attorney-General of the colony, and he organizing the national defence. No one who at once sprang into a large practice. Grant's ambition was not, however, satisfied by his reads Robert Hall's sermons will have diffi petent judge. But it is by his contributions to the cause of law-reform, and above all by his labors in connection with the records and the state papers that he will be remem bered. His dscisions are republished by Ben son, and his opinions while at the Bar may be found in the Romilly memoirs.