THE WI-HG LEG AL ARRANGEMENTS.
IT must be conceded, that the Tory Law appointments, politics aside, were more satisfactory than those just made by the Whigs. Sir JOHN C AM NIEL L, indeed, is mere than equal to Sir FREDERICK POLLOCK ; but we cannot say as much for Mr. ROLFE in com- parison with SirVVir.r,iAi FOLLETT. Neither is Lord Plassasers, unless we are misinformed, tqs well titled for the Irish Chancellor- ship as Sir Eowaso SUGDEN. But the principal ground of dissa- tisfaction is the arrangement for carrying on the business of the Court of Chancery in England. It appears that there are two hundred and fifty causes waiting for trial in the Rolls Court, and about the same number in the Vice-Chancellor's ; and we are not aware that the business in the Courts of Law has been diunihished lately, so as to render a reduction in the number of Judges sitting there desirable. But nevertheless, in addition to their already too onerous duties, the Master of the Rolls and the Vice-Chancellor are, with Mr. Justice BosANquEr, to undertake all the business of the Court of Chancery. It seems the inevitable result of the arrangement, that the interest of the suitors in three Courts—the Chancellor's, the Vice.Chancellor's, and the Rolls — will be neglected. Where is She wisdom or propriety of imposing fresh burdens upon those who stagger under the weight that is already on their shoulders?
The mode in which it is proposed to make a show of attending to the business of the Chancery Court, was yesterday explained to the Bar of that Court, by Sir CH ARLES PEPYS. He spoke in behalf of himself and his brother Commis-ioners, and said-
" In taking on ourselves the duties of Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal, our first object has been so to arrange the business of this and the other two Courts as not to infringe on the time devoted to the administration of justice in any of them. The arrangements, as far as affect this Court, will be these. This Court will sit on Saturdays and Mondays in every week during Term ; and in the period after Term (which has usually been a period of recess), we propose to devote as many days to tbe business of this Court as will make up the num- ber of days which in the ordinary course would be devoted to the business of the Court. By this arrangement we hope to devote to each of the Courts as much time as has usually been devoted to business; and we trust that these arrange- ments will be as little inconvenient as possible to the Bar. The first sitting in this Court will be to-morrow (Saturday), and we propose on Saturdays to take motions; and it will he desirable for a list to be made, as appeal motions will have priority over others. And as it is the wish of the Vice- Chancellor, as well as myself, not to be present at the discussion of motions of appeal from our own decisions, if a list be made out it will enable us to select those motions which each of us can hear. The same rule we shall apply to the bearing of appeals."
It does not appear that any remarks were made on this an- nouncement at the time by any of the counsel present; but upon Sir CHARLES PEPYS explaining to the barristers in time Rolls Court, that he should be obliged to sit on Saturdays and Mondays in the Court of Chancery, and that he would sit six instead of five hours each day in the Rolls, in order to make up for lost time, Mr. BICKERSTETEI avowed his opinion that public business would not be forwarded by the proposed arrangement-
" There was a great arrear of business in that Court, notwithstanding the exer- tions of his Honour. He therefore suggested, that appeal business might be delayed without inconvenience. It was well known that the time both ot counsel and the Judge often was best spent out of Court in examining the eases before them. Be did not therefore think sitting an additional hour each day would facilitate the public business."
Sir CHARLES PEPIN admitted that the least pressing business was that of appeals-
" But it must be remembered, that those holding the Great Seal had other and most important matters to dispose of, and which required to be beard without delay. For instance, lunatic petitions, which must be beard in the Court of Chancery ; motions relating to wards, &c. The new arrangement had thrown an additional harden upon him, but he was obliged to bear it."
Mr. PEMBERTON also complained of the inconvenience that would result from taking the Master of the Rolls and the Vice-
Chancellor from their respective Courts; and lie laid especial stress on the mockery of justice which would be the consequence of a Judge hearing appeals in one Court from his own decisions
in another.
Sir CHARLES PEPYS said, he should for the present adhere to the arrangement he bad hid down ; but would consult his bro-
ther Commissioners on the suggestions that had been thrown out.
Let us hope that Ministers &so will lose no time in taking this subject into consideration. It is plain that their scheme will not work to the advantage of the public, or the satisfaction of the Bar. What is there to prevent the appointment of a Chief Judge in Equity as a successor to Lord LvNinttntsT ? If it be said that the present arrangement is only to last until the political functions of the Chancellor can be separated from the judicial, why not make Mr. BICKERSTETH Chief Commissioner, with the understanding that when the separation has been effected he is to be the new Lord Chancellor ? We cannot learn that such an offer has yet been made to Mr. BICKERSTETH; or that, if it were made, that distinguished Equity lawyer would be likely to refuse it. It has been, with much probability, surmised, that Lord BROUGHAM is the author of all this difficulty. It is reasonable to suppose that he would be better pleased to see the door kept open, as he imagines, for his own resumption of the Seals, by the appointment of only temporary Commissioners, than by a defini- tive arrangement. To make Mr. BICKERSTETH, or any other equally qualified person, if such can be found, Chancellor for life, would be a deathblow to hopes which very likely he cherishes. He expects to be Speaker of the House of Lords, and only waits for an opportunity of again clutching the Seals. As to his re- sumption of the Chancellorship, that seems next to impossible ; and a less fit person to guide the deliberations of the House of Peers in the capacity of Speaker, cannot be found. His habitual behaviour in that House is provocative of disorder. Dignity he has none, and scarcely any civility of demeanour. Lord MEL- BOURNE himself, the other night, had it sample of the forward, pushing way in which he interferes with the regular course of business. When Lord ALVANLEY asked the Premier a question, up started Lord BROUGHAM to request him not to answer it,--as if Lord MELBOURNE were a shamefaced young gentleman just come from college, and incapable of speaking for himself. A scene of confusion and altercation was the consequence : and this was only a sample of what is constantly occurring when Lord BROUGHAM 'meddles in what is going forward. It is ludicrous to think of installing him as the presiding genius of order among the Peers of England. Besides, Lord BROUGHAM is much better employed in writing pamphlets, and reviewing them. Ile is a scribbling and spoutine, machine, and may render himself formidable—nay, useful—in that capacity, but in that only. He has already made a good figure in the service to which we relegated him nearly a year ago, of battering the House of Lords. Witness the pamphlets of TM/P- lum and JENKINS, and the last Edinburgh Review, where his bandywork may be seen in every other article. This use of his leisure discovers a right appreciation of what he is best fitted to perform. Let him cleave to pamphleteering and independence, and eschew the deadening trammels of official life. But what- ever may be Lord BROUGHAM'S schemes or desires, we can tell Lord MELBOURNE, that most discreet and sober-minded persons, of whatever politics, look to him to keep the Ex-Chancellor not only out of the Cabinet and the Court of Chancery, but off the Woolsack also.
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