OF

STATESMEN

WHO FLOURISHED IN

THE TIME OF GEORGE III.

THIRD SERIES.

VOLUME II.

BY

HENRY, LORD BROUGHAM, F.R.S.,

MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE, AND OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF NAPLES.

A NEW EDITION, CORRECTED BY THE AUTHOR.

LONDON:

CHARLES KNIGHT AND CO., LUDGATE STREET.

1845.

STATESMEN

OF THE

TIME OF GEORGE III.

LORD ELLENBOROUGH.

It would not be easy to find a greater contrast between two individuals filling places of the same kind, than the great judge whose character we have been contemplating afforded to one of the most eminent that have flourished in later times, Lord Ellenborough. In some respects, indeed, he presented a contrast to all other judges; for he broke through most of the conventional trammels which those high functionaries generally impose upon themselves, or fancy that others expect to behold. Far from abounding in that cautious circumspection, that close adherence to technical proprieties, that restraint of his mind to the mere matter in hand, he despised even much of what goes to form ordinary discretion; and is so much overrated by inferior natures as the essence of wisdom, but so justly valued by calculating ones

VOL. VI.

B