This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... and indecently violent: he said that Brougham was inoculated with all the poison of the libel, and told the jury, the issue they had to try was, whether we were to live for the future under the dominion of libellers."1 Notwithstanding Mr. Brougham lost his case, and his clients' slight offence met with the ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 edition. Excerpt: ... and indecently violent: he said that Brougham was inoculated with all the poison of the libel, and told the jury, the issue they had to try was, whether we were to live for the future under the dominion of libellers."1 Notwithstanding Mr. Brougham lost his case, and his clients' slight offence met with the very severe and disproportionate punishment of two years' imprisonment in separate jails, owing mainly to the open enmity of the presiding judge;2 yet he is said to have so keenly satirized the regent in the course of his speech as to incur his lasting anger. This result Mr. Brougham, far from deprecating, did all in his power to aggravate; fearlessly and unflinchingly, but most intemperately and injudiciously, attacking the prince. One of these assaults was so violent and entirely unnecessary, as to disgust some of his most firm and admiring friends, thoroughly to unite his political opponents, and to lose the cause of his own party, in whose behalf it was made. This incident, which is described at considerable length by Sir Samuel Romilly, is a most convincing proof of Brougham's great fault, --his want of judgment; an obstacle which always stood in the way of his rise, and which prevented a due appreciation of his great abilities. Sir S. Romilly's estimate of him is that of a friend and of a man of strong perception, and is well worth attention. In March, 1816, a motion of disapprobation of the increase which had lately been made of the salary of the Secretary to the Admiralty in time of peace was before the House of Commons. " In the course of the debate upon it, Brougham, who supported the motion, made a violent attack upon the Regent, whom he described as devoted, in the recesses of his palace, to the most vicious pleasures, and callous...
Read Less