tion to the bench. As Chancellor, Lord Bowes also succeeded Lord Jocelyn; his ability as a lawyer was very respectable, and his powers of eloquence by no means contemptible.
James Hewitt, fourth Justice of the English Court of King's Bench, was appointed to succeed Lord Bowes as Chancellor of Ireland, and took his seat in Hilary term, 1768. The reader will perceive that I am approaching my own period of time, by giving an authenticated account of Lord Lifford's promotion, which rests upon the authority of his son, my late friend, Judge Hewitt When Mr. Pitt became Prime Minister and Earl of Chatham, the express announcing that important event and his own elevation to the Great Seal, reached Lord Camden whilst in a court of justice. Having adjourned with all possible expedition, he called Sergeant Hewitt to his lodgings, and offered that gentleman the judge's place which was to be vacated by Wilmot's succeeding him as Chief Justice; Hevntt hesitated at accepting the proffered kindness, observing that a parliamentary situation might be useful in the promotion of sons—a profitable market which must be closed by the position of a common law judge, whose seclusion from political pursuits or connexions, forbad (according to English usage) any femily promotion. He however added, that the Chancellor of Ireland was upwards of seventy, and if his lordship's friendship guaranteed that office, the place of puisne judge would be taken as an intermediate step to the expected elevation. Lord Camden replied with prompt and manly friendship, that if in office, he might rely upon it, or the Great Seal of Britain would be open to his ambition. Events corresponded nearly with the foregoing assertion, for Solicitor-General Willes had interest of the highest rank, and would have been appointed, had not Lord Camden declared, that in such an event he must resign. This well timed threat had its full effect; the Irish Great Seal was given to Mr. Hewitt, and Mr. Willes consigned as a puisne judge for further improvement to Lord Mansfield and Sir J. Yates.
The preceding arrangement of men alike distinguished for mildness of manners and mediocrity of talent, gave official sta-
