Memoir of Mr. Alexander Jeffrey, by George Hilson. 475 



Selkirk, before the courts of which he made many and suc- 

 cessful appearances, shewing great acuteness and knowledge 

 of the principles and practice of the law. In early life he 

 had had a severe bronchial affection, which he never got the 

 better of, and in public speaking there was a shrill feeble- 

 ness in his voice, which was rather unpleasant, and some- 

 what marred the effect of his addresses. The courts of the 

 Justices of the Peace in all the different districts of these 

 counties, he regularly attended, and had nearly all the prac- 

 tice. His acuteness, the great knowledge he displayed, the 

 courteous but firm and independent way he conducted 

 his cases, made him generally liked by the country gentle- 

 men, who uniformly treated him with great respect and 

 attention, and often gratifying compliments were paid him. 

 The late Lord Campbell, when residing at his seat at Hart- 

 rigge in the autumn, one day surprised Mr Sheriff Craigie, 

 by stepping into the Sheriff Court at Jedburgh, while en- 

 gaged in trying a case in which Mr. Jeffrey was acting as 

 agent for the prisoner, and took his seat on the bench. 

 Mr. Craigie having shewed his lordship the charge, he 

 sat and heard the case tried with that great gravity 

 which so much distinguished him. Mr. Jeffrey was not 

 successful in his defence, but his lordship at the close told 

 Mr. Craigie, that it was as well pleaded as if it had been done 

 in Westminster Hall. With that kindness of heart which 

 so much distinguished Mr. Craigie, after leaving his lordship 

 he called at Mr. Jeffrey's house, and communicated the 

 gratifying remarks, which, as may be supposed, were very 

 pleasing to him. Mention has been made of his knowledge 

 of law, and his undoubted dexterous ability in applying it 

 in practice, but unfortunately the impulsiveness of his 

 temperament, and the want of exact mental training in his 

 early years, often made him hasty in arriving at conclusions, 

 which ultimately were not borne out, and in this way he 

 occasionally found himself in a false position, from which he 

 had difficulty in receding. He was generally liked by his 

 brethren — as he was fond of calling them — in the profession, 

 and was ready at all times to give information and advice ; 

 for which his varied experience well qualified him. He was 

 not always at peace however with them, and he could and 

 did make many violent outbursts against those who inad- 

 vertently might have wounded his susceptibilities. These 

 soon passed away, and he bitterly regretted any severe 

 remarks that he had made against his supposed offender. 



