but whose feet were part of iron and part of clay. Coleridge selected the exclamations, "Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth," and "Ould clo'," as remarkable instances of incongruity; but equally striking incongruities have met in the public character of the eminent subject of this sketch. Janus, the patron of civilization, is generally represented as holding a key-emblem of his being the opener of avenues; and one of his attributes was a knowledge, not only of the future, but of the past. Judging of Lord Lyndhurst by his constant and keen observation of actual antecedents and probable consequents, he appears to have resembled the bi-frontal deity in that feature as well as in some of his more attractive qualities: with prospective and retrospective power of vision, he kept his eyes steadfastly fixed at once upon the past and the probably future events of party warfare, and with reluctance unsheathed his sword in any other cause than that which he knew must be victorious. Any mind contemplating the features of Lord Lyndhurst's character or the growth of his fortunes turns naturally towards the resemblances or dissimilarities which are to be seen in the moral aspect and public conduct of one of his earliest professional competitors and most formidable parliamentary rivals. They have frequently expressed sentiments of mutual admiration; and yet, upon a comparison of their intellectual and political idiosyncrasies, there is to be detected more of contrast than of parallel. Lord Brougham, in early life, formed and cultivated by the force of natural genius tastes which in Lord Lyndhurst were fostered beneath the shade of an English university: while the one, bold and inventive, was devoting himself to physical and political science alone, the other was combining with similar speculations the knowledge and refinement inseparable from a complete classical education; and both have through life retained a love of literature and science. The gradual accessions made by Mr. Copley to his stock of professional knowledge were more uniform and extensive than any acquisitions of which Mr. Brougham could boast in that department. While the mind of the latter expatiated over the philosophy of jurisprudence, that of the former was strictly confined to the practical principles and formal pleadings which were daily in requisition for professional success. Both, attached to their common profession, displayed, as advocates, talents of the highest order; each equipped with weapons adapted to his peculiar mode of warfare— "Hos mirabantur Athenæ Torrentes pleni et moderantes fræna theatri.” Mr. Brougham was prompt and powerful in attack; Mr. Copley was wary and skilful in defence: the one, though desultory, was energetic, and touched isolated parts and arguments with the hand of a master; the other, under the influence of a calmer temperament, and endowed with stronger powers of generalization, poured forth his logic in one clear continuous stream. Mr. Brougham, though even during the early period of his practice at the Bar giving occasionally promise of future eminence, being more remarkable for his general attainments and his love of political warfare than for legal erudition, hoped probably to reach the height of his profession through his political celebrity; while Mr. Copley aimed by professional eminence at the highest honours of the state: to that one his profession appeared to be only an accessory to his political employments; while by this the field of politics was cultivated merely because it, at the same time, yielded the most precious fruits in his profession: Mr. Brougham trusted to his political fame for advancement as a lawyer; while Mr. Copley depended upon his professional reputation as his surest path to political influence. Both of these eminent men appear to have taken, in early life, kindred views of the nature and duties of civil government; but Lord Brougham, having shunned extreme opinions, has, without sacrifice of principle, been upon the whole consistent, whereas the movements of Lord Lyndhurst have been uncertain and variable: the line of policy pursued by the one has been, from beginning to end, direct and well-defined; that of the other has been tortuous and dim. These characteristics may be in some measure traced to the opinions which have been slowly though surely spread throughout England during the last half century; for the spirit of the times has been more auspicious to the prevalence of those doctrines which Lord Brougham ap proved than of the creed which Lord Lyndhurst long ago sanctioned and maintained. Each, too, was in perfect adaptation to his position; for the one, inflexible even to obstinacy, could not have changed, and the other, pliant to suppleness, yielded to the gentlest pressure or bent before the softest breeze. All the tendencies of Lord Brougham were in favour of a liberal expansion of the democratic principle, as well as a limitation of the influence of the Crown and aristocracy; while the object of Lord Lyndhurst's anxiety has been to guard the monarchy and the peerage against undue encroachments by masses of the people. The result of the labours of bothantagonistic though these frequently were-has been, like that of the conflicting elements of the monarchy itself, a preservation of the balance and a consolidation of all the interests of the British constitution. In a legislative capacity Lord Brougham and Lord Lyndhurst have betrayed but few common sympathies. Although both are enlightened, the flame which burns within the one for political and legal reforms has communicated no genial warmth to the soul of the other: Lord Brougham has been in that cause active and bold; Lord Lyndhurst, by nature timid of innovation, and upon principle averse to change, has proved himself to be, while in office, indifferent to all reforms, and, even while in opposition, his movements have been extremely cautious and very fitful. In Parliament both have, as orators, ample and varied resources at command; but, as the style of Lord Brougham is cumbersome and periphrastical, that of Lord Lyndhurst is terse and concise: the manner of the former is ardent and energetic, that of the latter calm and dignified; and, while the sarcasm of Lord Brougham tears the flesh of his victim, only to be soon healed, the quiet, cold irony of Lord Lyndhurst silently but surely eats into the soul, and long rankles there. Both are alive to the charms of social life, and from the treasures of their knowledge diffuse delight among all around. During hours of relaxation and friendly intercourse the buoyancy of Lord Brougham's impulsive nature finds vent even in frank naïveté; but the polished manners of Lord Lynd VOL. LIV. NO. CIX. 3 B hurst are linked with a strict adherence to all the conventionalities of high life. Of sincere friendship, however, both are susceptible: but while the feelings and acts of Lord Brougham warm into cordial affection, those of Lord Lyndhurst seldom rise above the level of prudential civility. Accordingly, Lord Lyndhurst is admired: Lord Brougham, besides commanding admiration, wins our love. Neither of them can be soon forgotten by a country which each, within his sphere, has faithfully and beneficially served, or by the members of a profession which both have by their talents, attainments, and exertions signally adorned. ART. VI. THE STATUTE LAW COMMISSION. ITS PRESENT EXIGENCIES. 1. Report of the Commissioners for Consolidating the Statute Law (1855). 2. Copies of Replies, by Mr. Coode and Mr. Chisholm Anstey, to Observations by Mr. Bellenden Ker, contained in Paper No. 6, in the Appendix to the Report. UR readers will remember that we have recurred to this Ο subject on many occasions, urging again and again the national and lasting importance of the undertaking, and the inadequacy of the measures adopted for its realization. We desire, on this occasion, to revert to our former observations, not for the sake of vaunting the fulfilment of prophecies, which were but the statement of consequences that must ensue from a disregard of obvious conditions of success in such a matter, but in order to impress upon those who have the conduct of this enterprise the importance of at once reinforcing the Commission; and, taking advantage of past experience, to adopt some plan of action which shall ensure the grand final requisites of the work-unity, uniformity, propriety, comprehensiveness, and completeness. In our first article we presumed to indicate what, in our opinion, should constitute the scheme and composition of the Commission: that it should include, not only dignitaries of the law of the first rank, to whom should be confided questions of high policy, or the supreme direction of the matter, but dignitaries and officers of the second rank, to whom should be confided questions of practical policy, and the superior direction; and special officers, conversant with the requisites for the actual execution of the work, assisted by writers and draughtsmen, printers, index-makers, &c. About the same time our contemporary indicated a plan of action which would cover the whole field within an assigned space of time-say about five years-providing thereby a year of preparation, in which the scheme should be arranged, the work distributed, the instructions drawn, the workers trained, and all the subsidiary arrangements should be so adjusted, that every step in the progress might proceed onward regularly without check or hindrance, with the reasonable expectation that the whole work might be completed within the time, and with the desired results, as in the case of other well-considered undertakings; providing, secondly, a year for the collection of materials, arranged in so orderly a manner that the work would by such collection be half done in the first instance, and susceptible of being subsequently verified when its merits of accuracy and completeness should come to be questioned; providing, thirdly, a year for the determination of great questions, brought out by the work of collection; providing, fourthly, a year of execution, in which the actual terms would be considered in their final form; and providing, fifthly, a year of revision and settlement; and, lastly, a year of remuneration and reward, in which the merits of the workmen would be recognised in a suitable manner. Side by side with this leading scheme of operations, it was proposed that an ordinary official staff should be at work, proceeding after its regular and constant fashion in the disposal of ordinary matters, and ensuring, by the discipline of its officers, and their regular action, the fulness, completeness of detail, and the disposal of many minor questions which must arise incidentally, and which, not being questions of high |