Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 08.pdf/323

 294

cature Acts, till his death on the 24th of defended the policy of Palmerston with an November, 1880. It is impossible within effect only inferior to that produced by Pal the brief limits of such a sketch as this to merston's own speech, and with a rhetorical do justice to the many-sided character of grace and finish to which Palmerston made Sir Alexander Cockburn. He was one of no pretension. In writing to Lord Norman the greatest masters of exposition that ever dy about the debate, Lord Palmerston dis sat on the Bench — witness his judgment in tributed his praise to friends and enemies Banks v. Goodfellow (L. R. 5 Q. B.) and with that generous impartiality which was a his summing up in the Tichborne criminal fine part of his character. Gladstone's at case. As a judge he tack on his policy he pronounced a firstwas a model of dig rate performance. nity and fairness. Peel and Disraeli he In politics he was not less successful praised likewise. But as to Cockburn's he than in law. His said, "I do not know reply to Mr. Glad that I ever in the stone in the Don course of my life Pacifico debate, al heard a better speech though eclipsed by from anybody, with Palmerston's tour de foree on the same out any exception." occasion, was never The effect which theless a mighty and Cockburn's speech successful effort of produced was well political oratory. described in the The impression pro House itself by one duced by it is thus who rose chiefly for described by a com the purpose of dis petent critic (McCar puting the principles thy's History of Our that it advocated. Mr. Own Times, vol. 2, Cobden observed that pp. 60-62) : "Never when Mr. Cockburn MR. JUSTICE DAY. in our time has a had concluded his speech one-half of the Treasury benches reputation been more suddenly, complete ly, and deservedly made than Mr. Cockburn were left empty, while honorable members ran after one another, tumbling over each won by his brilliant display of ingenious argu ment and stirring words. The manner of the other in their haste to shake hands with the speaker lent additional effect to his clever honorable and learned member. Mr. Cock and captivating eloquence. He had a clear, burn's career was safe from that hour. It is sweet, penetrating voice, a fluency that needless to say that he well upheld in after years the reputation he won in a night. The seemed so easy as to make listeners some times fancy that it ought to cost no effort, brilliant and sudden success of the member and a grace of gesture such as it must be for Southampton was but the fitting prelude owned the courts of law where he had his to the abiding distinction won by the Lord LEX. training do not often teach. Mr. Cockburn Chief-Justice of England."