Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 03.djvu/630

* BROTJGH. 554 BROUGHAM. at the Lyceum, and at length devoted himself permanently to the drama in 18(i3, when he appeared at the Prince of Wales's Theatre, Liveri)ool. In his long subsequent experience, which lia.s included tours in the United States and South Africa, he has gained popularity in a great variety of comic and burlesque roles, one of the best "known being that of Tony Lump- kin in Shr Stoopx to Cottijucr, which he has played nearly eight hundred times. Among his other favorite parts have been those of Paul Pry. Captain .Tolui Smith in I.rt belle sniii-afie. 4ind Black Brandon in My Poll and My Partner ■Joe. In 1872 he was stage numager of the huge spectacular production of Babil and Bijou, at the Covent Garden Theatre, ilore recently he ■was for several years under the management of Beerbohm Tree, of the Hayraarket and Her Majesty's theatres, appearing as the Laird in Tr!7fci/'(1895) and in other of ^Ir. Tree's plays, both in England and Anierica. In 1901 he was ' at the Haymarket in Sweet Nell of Old Drury. BKOUGHAM, broo'am or broom, Henry Petek. Baron Brougham and Vaux (1T7S1868). A British jurist, orator, statesman, and scien- tist, descendant of an ancient Westmoreland fam- ily. He was born in Edinburgh, September 19, 1778. On the maternal side he was a grand-neph- ew of the historian Robertson. He exhibited signs of precocious talent and energy, and at an early age was compared to the 'admirable Crich- ton.' He was a brilliant scholar, both at the Edinburgh High School and at the university, at the age of eighteen sending a paper. Observa- tions on Phenomena of Light, to the Royal So- ciety, which was read and printed in its Trans- actimis. He spent some time in traveling on Ihe Continent, and in 1800 was admitted to the Scottish bar. In 1802, with Jeffrey, Homer, and Sydney Smith, he founded the Edinburgh lievicn- and contributed eighty of its most pow- erful articles to the first twenty numbers. His liberal political views militated against his ad- vancement in Scotland : and a reputation for ec- centricity and indiscretion exchuled him from any legal practice except the unreniunerative work of the criminal courts. Aften seven years •of this practice he sought a better field, and in 1808 passed at the English bar. In London. Rrougha7n first attracted notice at the bar of the House of Commons as counsel for the Liverpool merchants who petitioned against certain orders-in-eouncil. In 1810 he entered Parliament, and soon after brought in and carried an act making participation in the slave trade felony. He was welcomed by the Opposition leaders as a powerful assistant in their attacks upon the Government. He suc- ceeded in carrying the repeal of the orders-in- •council shortly before the general election of 1812, and contested the membership for Liver- pool against Camiing. He was defeated, and re- mained without a seat in Parliament till 181(5, when he was returned for Winehelsea. He es- tablished a reputation in the law courts by speeches of great ability in the defense of per- sons prosecuted for libel by the Crown. His most famous appearance as an advocate was in defense of Queen Caroline in 1820. His elo- quence and boldness forfeited him the favor of the Crown, but gained liim that of the people, and between 1820 and 1830 Brougham was the popular idol. He made good use of his power. In 1822 he siipported, though in vain, a .scheme of national education, and to his activity was due in great measure the establishment of the London L'niversity, of the first Mechanics' In- stitute, and of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. In 1830. Brougham deliv- ered a powerful speech against slavery, and in consequence of it was returned as a member for Yorksliire. The aristocratically disposed Whigs would have excluded him from the Reform ilin- islry of Earl Grey: but, in addition to enormous popularity, he was virtually ilicir leailer in de- bate in the Commons, and was indispensable. The same year, after various intrigues, he was olYcred the appointment of Lord Chancellor and a peerage as Baron Brougham and Vaux, which he accepted against his interests ami inclinv tions. He assisted materially in carrying the great measures proposed by the Liberal ilinis- ters. He. however, developed eccentricity, and by arrogance and self-importance shared in the general unpopularity which afterwards attached to the Ministry. When it was dismissed by William IV. in 1834. Brougham left office, nev^r to return. After that time he held in the Upper House a position analogous to that formerly held by him in the Commons, criticising freely the conduct of successive administrations, but steadily forwarding every measure for social progress. He is best remembered as a law reformer. In 1827. in a memorable speech which occupied si.x hours in delivery, he enumerated the defects in nearly every branch of English law, and made proposals for dealing with law reform on a proper scale. Among the measures proposed were bills for the codification of the criminal law, for the establishment in England of a sys- tem of public prosecutors, and for the giving of compensation to parties acquitted. Lord Brougham's acts and hills touching on law re- form, as well as those regarding the shave trade, education, and other public questions, were col- lected and published by Sir .1. E. Eardly Wilmot (London. 1S57). The volume forms a fitting moniunent to the activity, perseverance, and public spirit of the man. As an orator and parliamentary debater, among his contemporaries he was inferior only to Canning. His speeche^s, however, had too large an admixture of exciting elements ; argu- ment was mingled with fiery declamation ; ridi- cule, sarcasm, invective, were freely used; and these he employed with a vehemence and energy that at times carried him beyond bounds. He possessed the power of ready, rapid, and forcible diction. Brougham also won repute in other fields. He cultivated the niatbematical and pliysi- cal sciences, ami ventured u]ion the domain of metaphysics, aiul even of theology. His miscel- laneous writings upon an incredible variety of svdijects .served the purposes of the moment, and display great powers of ra])id comprehension and nervous, dear exposition, but contain few new truths in polities or morals, anl no original dis- coveries in science. Brougham acquired the hcmors due to men of letters, and was succes- sively made lord rector of (ilasgow University. l)resident of University College, London, mem- ber of the Institute of France, chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, and lastly, D.C.L. of Oxford.