Page:Chronicle of the law officers of Ireland.djvu/328

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LEGAL HISTORY OF IRELAND.
303

originated in zeal for the public good, or in a concealed movement of ministerial machinery; though it is but justice to add, that his lordship's official integrity and gentlemanly behaviour properly supported, would satiate personal malignity, and fix seem confirmed by this parliamentary ordeal, for such grounds, upon the culprit indelible disgrace. Brodrick's family seemed to overtop the house of Boyle in the county of Cork, and his lordship defeated the Duke of Newcastle at an election for a borough in Sussex—offences not to be palliated by official correctness, nor overlooked from compassion to corporeal infirmity. His lordship retired with sullen dignity, but irreproachable character; he even gave a pattern to English Chancellors of superior independence with respect to place or pension, for in that country such an officer was in 1725 convicted of corruption and tyranny; yet, every part of the sentence, save the ignominy, operated as a dead letter—the delinquent was continued a pension, and his son enjoyed a most lucrative sinecure. Sir Richard Cox, in retirement, became consoled by the depression of his countryman and rival, whilst another of the Irish party became deeply mortified

Chief Justice Whitshed conceived that the Great Seal of Ireland was his descendible right; exclusive of parliamentary services in early life, he had merit of a later date and of a different character, to second such claim—peijured zeal, and presumptuous tyrannical practice in criminal trials. The Irish Cabinet expressed a regret at not being able thus to sanctify qualities congenial with their own. This memorable man might have escaped posthumous remembrance, and directed craft or corruption to temporary convenience and personal malignity, if his judicial profligacy had not justly provoked the satiric pen of Swift. When that great man most loyally attempted to arouse torpid Irishmen to a preservation of property against fraud and indirect robbery—or to sustain their private fortunes and starving artisans by an use of domestic manufactures, honest and nervous publications were considered libellous. The Attorney-General, however, dared not file an information and look for conviction—in-