ship's judicial and political life, together with an exemplification of the most characteristic traits of his character. If a contemporaneous commentary were not published, the figures which are introduced into this memorial of legal sensibility might hereafter afford as much matter for skeptical speculation as the celebrated shield in "Martinus Scriblerus." With a view, therefore, to assist the curiosity of future antiquarians, some account of "The Manners Testimonial, or Forensic Souvenir," will be briefly given.

Upon the border, the busts of the most celebrated members of the bar, who have been most conspicuous in "getting the thing up," are admirably embossed. Mr. Whyte occupies, of necessity, a very considerable space in this part of the testimonial. A good deal of dead silver has been employed in doing him justice. Exactly opposite to Mr. Whyte, Mr. Peter Fitzgibbon Henchey appears with that look of egregious dignity which is peculiar to him. I am, however, inclined to think that the artist did not seize him at the most felicitous moment, for there is a touch of sadness in his importance. Perhaps the funds had sustained some sudden declination at the time; and the battle of Navarino has left its traces on his brow: or, peradventure (and that were the more amiable hypothesis), Mr. Henchey has discovered in Sir Anthony Hart a lamentable inferiority to his discriminating predecessor, and an unconstitutional disposition to lend an equal attention to the Catholics. of the outer and to the Protestants of the inner bar. The rest of the heads that form a border to the testimonial are very ex-1 actly copied from most of the King's counsel, whom Lord Manners left as an appropriate deposite behind him. I do not know why Mr. Perrin and Mr. Richard Moore have been omitted.

But it is upon the reliefs in the body of the salver that the greatest skill has been displayed both in execution and in design. A series of beautiful biographical illustrations has been introduced, in the first of which Lord Manners appears, at the English bar, with an empty bag. In the background, the Minister is perceived eying him from a distance; while the Duke of Portland, who seems to be engaged in earnest discourse

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with the official detector of latent desert, points with one hand to the House of Commons, and with the other to the Bench.

In the next scene his Lordship is represented, in the enactment of the part of Baron Manners at the Assizes of Lancaster, trying the case of Weld v. Hornby (reported in 7 East 195), when his Lordship delivered an illegal but constitutional charge. against the Jesuits of Stonyhurst. The case involved the right of the Jesuits to fish in the river Ribble, and it is surprising what an early zeal in the cause of Protestantism was displayed by the puisne Baron, who was afterward intrusted with the selection of impartial magistrates in Ireland. In the execution of this relief, great ingenuity has been evinced. I can not, however, say that the workmanship has surpassed the materials. The courthouse is filled with Jesuits. They are without their caps and gowns, which at Stonyhurst they did not presume to wear, although at Clongowes Wood, under Mr. O'Connell's advice, and the Solicitor-General's opinion, the body-guard of the Pope appear in full regimentals. Notwithstanding the want of the insignia of Loyolism, it is easy, from the expression of their faces, to detect the disciples of Ignatius. I recognise the deeply-furrowed face of Mr. Plowden, in which time never could succeed in impairing the powerful St. Omer's physiognomy, for which he was remarkable. The likeness is so faithful, that I am disposed to think that Mr. Cruize, who sprang out of the hot-bed of orthodoxy, must have supplied the artist with a sketch of his old confessor. The very able chairman of the county of Clare, together with Mr. Nicholas Ball, who is rising so rapidly to the first eminence at the bar, are represented among a group of boys in the gallery of the courthouse. I think that I can also discover, in an acrimoniouslooking urchin, who is taking down a note of Baron Manners' charge, the face of Mr. Sheil. The Judge is in the act of addressing the jury, with strong indications of loyal excitement, over

The late Francis Plowden was an Irish barrister, author of a History of Ireland, popular in his day. He wrote two or three other books, chiefly on legal subjects. He was sued for a libel in his History, and cast in five thousand pounds sterling damages, rather than pay which, he retired to France, where he died, in 1829, at an advanced age.-M.

the bench in which he presides. The artist has engraven the significant motto, "Qualis ab incepto." In the perspective there is a representation of the English Court of King's Bench, with Lord Ellenborough laughing grimly at the misdirections of the learned Judge, whose verdict he is in the act of ignominiously setting aside. Some of Lord Manners's friends objected to the record of this early incident in his judicial story; but it was answered that the illegality of his opinions was more than counterbalanced by his zeal for the constitution, and that the evidence of his inveterate Protestantism should be preserved at the expense of his legal reputation. It was besides observed, and with reason, that however his judgment might be obscured by his emotions, yet the purity of his intentions could not be brought into question.

After this specimen of his feats upon the English Bench, the records of his Irish Chancellorship appear. He is represented, on his arrival in Ireland, with Mr. Saurin bidding him welcome. An earwig is seen creeping into his ear. This is followed by Lord Manners presiding in court: Mr. O'Connell is addressing him, while his Lordship's eye is averted, and his cheeks are filled with the materials of a puff, which the learned Lord is preparing to discharge. The crier of the court is seen lighting the fire in the gallery, and throwing Vesey Junior and the Statutes into the flames. Various views of impatient adju dication occupy this part of the testimonial. The spirit of ju dicial hurry, for which his Lordship was remarkable, may at first view appear to be objectionable. But it must be remembered that, however the suitors may suffer, the counsel are gainers by the precipitation of a Judge. At present, for example, Sir Anthony Hart insists that due consideration shall be given to every cause of a difficult nature. The consequence is, that where twelve were heard, but not listened to, in a single day by Lord Manners, the present Chancellor bestows an equal time to a single cause. It is true that the parties are satisfied by his decision, and the occupation of Lord Redesdale in the House of Lords seems likely to be gone; but the counsel's fees are in proportion diminished; the crisp paper of the Bank of Ireland is no longer seen in such rapid circulation

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through the inner bar; and Sergeant Lefroy having stated his case in the morning, has leisure during the rest of the day to devote himself to less sublunary pursuits, and may exclaim with Hamlet, "For my own poor part, I will go pray."

I do not think it necessary to go through the whole of the reliefs which are intended to illustrate Lord Manners's judicial excellences. Dow's parliamentary cases contain an ample commentary on his faculties. One scene, however, in the testimonial, relating to this portion of his Lordship's character, is deserving of mention. I allude to the case of "Pims, minors." Lord Manners decided, without principle or precedent, that the infant daughters of a Catholic mother should be removed from her society on account of her profession of the illegal religion. The artist has chosen the separation of Mrs. Pim and of her family for the manifestation of his pathetic powers. Lord Manners surveys the spectacle of domestic anguish with a calm philosophy, in the expression of which it was no doubt intended to intimate that his high sense of public duty subdued in his Lordship's mind those infirmities to which, wherever the interests of Protestantism were concerned, he was never known, although in many respects a kind and amiable man, to give way.

He is next represented in his capacity of Superintendent of the Magistracy of Ireland, and in the act of refusing the commission of the peace to Sir Patrick Bellew, a Roman Catholic baronet of ancient family, and of considerable fortune; while the description of individuals whom he considered entitled to that important trust is illustrated by a group of pauper justices in the county of Waterford, who are seen in the background. One would at first take them to be a corps of the Mendicity Association; but the commission of the peace, which is seen sticking out of the rents of their ragged pockets, indicates their office; while the lilies that hang from their tattered shirts are beautifully emblematic of their constitutional qualifications.

His Lordship next appears as a member of the House of Lords. He is seen addressing his brother-peers on the trial of the Queen, when he called the consort of a King, and the childless mother of a buried Princess, "this woman!" The feeling

of astonishment and disgust which pervades the House is well rendered. Even Lord Lauderdale himself looks surprised.

Some traits of his Lordship's domestic history succeed. He is represented as reading Fox's Martyrs to the Honorable Miss Butler, and reclaiming her from the errors of Popery — a temple of Hymen is seen in the distance.

His Lordship is afterward introduced at dinner. The object of this relief is to intimate his familiar cast of religious opinions. He was known to have as great a horror of a thirteenth at table as the Chief-Baron has of a thirteenth juror. The artist represents his Lordship surrounded by the ominous number, in a state of pious dismay.

This dinner-scene is followed in natural succession by a sermon at the Asylum in Leeson street. But there is nothing very remarkable in it, except the looks of profound reverence with which "the Saints" alternately direct their attention to the pulpit, which is occupied by Mr. Daly, and the pew in which the Chancellor is engaged in his devotions. I should not, however, omit to mention that the face of a Magdalen, peeping through the bars of the adjoining receptacle of repentant loveliness, at Mr. James Smith Scott, is beautifully finished, and that the mingled expression of reproach and of tenderness with which she regards him is admirably rendered.

But I find that I am dwelling with too minute an accuracy upon details; and while I am endeavoring to obviate by anticipation any doubts which may occur hereafter to the learned, who shall survey "The Manners Testimonial," I forget that I run the risk of wearying my readers of the present generation. I must, therefore, pass by many of the features of this beautiful piece of art, and leave them to puzzle posterity.

There is, however, one scene of splendid conviviality, on which I can not refrain from saying a word or two. I allude to the magnificent relief in the centre, which represents a meeting, at Morisson's Tavern, of the Beefsteak Club. Lord Rathdown, better known as Lord Monk, presides over the Bacchanalian confraternity. This is a wonderful likeness. The exact look has been preserved, which enabled him to play to admiration in the private theatricals at Kilkenny, at which his