The Life of Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Bart., K.C.S.I.
The Life of Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Bart., K.C.S.I.
A Judge of the High Court of Justice
I have wished to describe the man rather than to give any history of what he did. What I have said of the value of his performances must be taken as mainly a judgment at second hand. But in writing of the man himself I have advantages which, from the nature of the case, are not shared by others. For more than sixty years he was my elder brother; and a brother in whose character and fortunes I took the strongest interest from the earliest period at which I was capable of reflection or observation.
Book Excerpt
in a body, and march to Westminster, to remonstrate with the judges. Stephen seized a turnkey, and took the keys by force; but, finding his followers unruly, was wise enough to submit. He was sent with three others to the 'New Jail.' The prisoners in the King's Bench hereupon rose, and attacked the wall with a pickaxe. Soldiers were called in, and the riot finally suppressed.[6]
Stephen, in spite of these proceedings, was treated with great humanity at the 'New Jail;' and apparently without much severity at the King's Bench to which he presently returned. 'Blarney' Thompson painted his portrait, and I possess an engraving with the inscription, 'Veritas à quocunque dicitur à Deo est.' Not long ago a copy of this engraving was given to my brother by a friend who had seen it in a shop and recognised the very strong family likeness between James and his great-grandson, James Fitzjames.
Stephen soon got out of prison. Sir John Webbe, at whose suit he had been arrested, agreed to pay the
FREE EBOOKS AND DEALS
(view all)Popular books in Biography, History
Readers reviews
0.0
LoginSign up
Be the first to review this book