11 JANUARY 1879, Page 3

It is stated as probable that Sir James Fitzjames Stephen

will be raised to the Bench, in the place of Baron Cleasby, who has resigned. We trust the rumour is true. The Government would find it hard to obtain so good a jurist, or so strong a man. Moreover, though Sir James Stephen is on many subjects a Liberal, on many also he is one of the most Conservative of the Conservatives. Assuredly he will not make the kind of Judge who is eager to conciliate public opinion,—for Sir James Stephen rates public opinion no higher at all than it deserves.