Page:Chronicle of the law officers of Ireland.djvu/334

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LEGAL HISTORY OF IRELAND.
309

monumental foliage, and throws a lustre round that nobleman's character. Thus, Chancellor Ellesmere is remembered with respect, not for his argument, entitled the case of Post Nati, or an important criticism on Coke's Reports, but as. the patron of Sir John Davys.

The political versatility, or imputed crimes of Shaftesbury, are forgot when we reflect that an author was formed under his shade who made "the whole internal world his own." Chancellor Bathurst's perishable imbecility is atoned for by directing official station and influence to the protection and promotion of Sir William Jones. Chief Justice Reynolds was also removed shortly after, and thereby enabled to exhibit on the English Bench, those professional talents and accomplished manners which endeared him to the malignant and unprincipled parties of this distracted land. Henry Singleton, an Irishman of superior legal talent, and equal personal virtue, filled that vacant station.

About this time two Puisne Judges were appointed from England, equally destitute of proper legal knowledge, but different indeed in every other respect. The one eminent for classic taste and scientific knowledge, the other an illiterate hackney clerk, bred in an equity office, and incapable from the confirmed meanness of early habits, to display professional skill or gentlemanly manner.

In 1756, Lord Chancellor Jocelyn died, and was succeeded in office by Chief Baron Bowes. Thus Lord Hardwicke, in addition to his personal and family fortune, was enabled to recommend to the Great Seal of Ireland successively, two friends, with whom he had been bred together in a special pleader's office.

The Court of Exchequer found in Willes a feeble and inadequate Chief Judge, who was little aided by the other Judges of the Court. This serious defect was supplied by the Herculean talent of Anthony Malone. Whilst he acted as Chancellor of the Exchequer, his colleagues enjoyed a judicial sinecure, at least in the equity line. This extraordinary man had so universally ready and accurately retained, the whole system of English