March 18.] 
THE LATE MR. JUSTICE TALFOURD. 
Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd was born at Stafford, on the 
26 th January, 1795, where his father carried on the business 
0 f a brewer. His mother was the daughter of the Rev. 
Thomas Noon, a ministor of the Independent denomination. 
At a very early age he was sent to tbe Protestant Dissenting 
Grammar School, at Mill Hill, near Heudon, where ho 
remained two years; and he afterwards was placed at 
Reading Grammar School, which was then 
under the care of the late Dr. Vulpy. Having 
selected the bar as his profession, in the year 
1813 he came up to London, and became a 
a pupil of Mr. Joseph Chilty, a special 
pleader, of great practice, - and a most volu- 
minous legol author. Mr. Justice Talfourd 
was called to the bar by the Honourable So- 
ciety of the Middle Temple, in 1821, and at 
once joined the Oxford Circuit, where he 
speedily obtained a considerable share of busi- 
ness. At this period he obtained an appoint- 
ment on the Times newspnpor, as one of its 
law reporters, and for several years all the cases 
which appeared in that journal under the head 
of tho Court of King’s Bench were prepared 
by young Talfourd. The close attendance upon 
Court, which such duties necessarily required, 
could ’scarcely fail to make Talfourd a quick 
and accomplished lawyer ; and it would be 
a curious speculation to inquire whether tho 
course of instruction which reporting in tho 
Courts or in Parliament furnishes, apart from 
the pecuniary assistance which it affords at 
n most critical period of a lawyer’s career, 
has not been the means of giving some of 
our greatest lawyers to the judicial bench. 
We may mention, as a most illustrious ex- 
ample, the present Lord Chief Justice of 
England, who commenced life us a reporter 
upon the Morning Chronicle newspaper. In 
1833, Talfourd was appointed Recorder of 
Banbury, and was called to the degree of 
, Sergeant-at-law, witli a patont of precedence. 
Having bccoino tbe leader of his circuit, 
iu July, 1849, he was appointed one of the 
Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, 
tho official notification of his promotion 
having been conveyed to him while engaged 
at Stafford, the town iu which he died. 
Mr. Justice Talfourd sat for several years 
iu Parliament as the representative of Read- 
ing. Although a frequent speaker, his style 
wus rather too ornate and rhetorical to 
suit the more practical taste which, since 
the Reform Bill, has been 60 popular in the 
IIouso of Commons. But in his capacity 
of a legislator he did good service to the 
cause of law reform, for, through his un- 
remitting exertions, authors have obtained a 
just and proper extension of copyright; and 
u most useful statute was enacted in reference 
to the custody of infants. Mr. Justice Talfourd 
was engaged as counsel in the celebrated 
case of Prince Albert v. Strange, and in the 
course of tbe argument the presiding judge, Vice-Chancellor 
Knight Bruce, noticed that one of the parties had described 
himself as an author. His Honour inquired “ What is an 
author?” Mr. Samuel Warren, who was also counsel in 
tbe case, at once interposed and said, “ Your Honour cannot 
be in doubt as to the meaning, for you have before you my 
learned friend Mr. Sergeant Talfourd, who is a most dis- 
tinguished author.” Talfourd readily replied — “ I hardly 
THE FIELD. 
know whether I deserve the designation. I certainly have 
had tlffi good fortuno to have written some few tilings 
in the course of my life Which have attracted the public 
attention; but my learned friend has actually written 
‘ Ten Thousand a-Ycnr.’ ” This happy retort was fully 
appreciated in tho Court of Chancery, whero jokes are 
usually in an inverso proportion to the amount of law 
discussed. 
Tho late Judge was highly distinguished as a literary 
man. While a pupil in Reading School, he produced a 
small volume of poems ou various subjocts, tho principal 
one having for its subject “The Education of the Poor.” It 
appears to have been written at Mill Hill, on the occasion 
of a visit to that establishment by the celebrated Joseph 
Lancaster. Other poems in the volume were hooded res- 
pectively “An Indian Tale,” “The Offering of Isaac, a 
261 
Sacred Drama,” and “ Specimens of a Didactic Poem on 
the Union and Brotherhood of Mankind.” Afterwards, 
chjefly during tho poriod of his pupilago in Chilty's office, 
ho published an “Appeal to tho Protestant Dissenters of 
Groat Britain on behalf of Roman Catholics,” “ Stricturo 
on Capital Punishments, with observations on the Truo 
Nature of Justice and tho Legitimnto Design of Penal I 11 - 
titntions,” “ Observations on the Punishment of tho 
Pillory,” “ An Appeal Against the Act for 
Regulating Royal Marriages," and an essay 
in reply to various objections urged by 
Mr. William Cobbett to tlio Unitarian Relief 
Bill. About tho sumo periud he published 
a lengthened essay entitled “ An K-timato 
of tho Poetry of tho Age,” in which lie 
defended Wordsworth from tho adverse 
criticisms which at that timo were heaped 
upon him in all directions by tho critics 
of tho day. Many articles of grent ability, 
principally upon clnssicul and historical 
subjects, were subsequently written in llio 
Encyclopaedia Metropolifana, Edinburgh 
Review, tho New Monthly, tho London, 
and other magazines. In 1834 his colebrutod 
tragedy of “ Ion ” was circulated amongst 
liia friends and tho literary men of the day, 
and on the 20th May, 183U, it was produced 
at Covent Gurden Theatre, under tho ma- 
nagerial direction of Mr. Macroudy, and on 
the occasion of that gentleman’s benefit. 
Ilis “ Athenian Captive,” “ Glencoe, " mid 
other works subsequently appeared, lie also 
edited “ TI 10 Remains ” of his old mid 
attached friend Churles Lamb. It lias been 
stated thnt lie made it nu invariublo prac- 
tice, when possible, of attending every per- 
formance of his plays, and that his friends, 
Mr. Churles Dickens and Mr. Mark Lemon, 
who were staying at Rrondstairs, inudo a 
bet, upon seeing an announcement of “ Ion ’ 
nt tho Margate Thcatro, that the leuruod 
Serjeant would be down to witness tho per- 
formance. Tho boat was unusuall’y late in 
arriving, but towards tho closo of tho even- 
ing he was seen utmost the solitary occupant 
of the boxes in that small and inconvenient 
theatre. Mr. Justice Talfourd was married 
iu 1822 to Rachel, daughter of Mr. John 
Fowell Rutt, by whom ho leaves a family. 
Lady Talfourd, a son, ami n daughter, 
arrived in Stafford lato on Tuesday night ; 
and between 10 and II next morning tlm 
body was removed from tbe Judges' lodgings 
to the railway station, and tlicnco conveyed 
by tbo 11.25 a. m. train to London. Lady 
Talfourd, son, and daughter, proceeded by 
the same train. The almost ontiro bar of 
the Oxford Circuit followed tho bourse from 
the Judges’ lodgings to the railway station. 
Tho shops of Stafford were all half-closed, 
and the bells of St. Mary’s Church tolled 
a muffled peal. The greatest sympathy 
was ovinced by tho wliulo population of 
Stafford. 
The conduct of Mr. Justice Talfourd on tho bench 
was distinguished by uprightness, impartiality, and ability, 
and his last literary production was a most trenchant review 
of the proposal mado to codify the criminal law in tho shape 
of an official answer to queries addressed to him, in com- 
mon with the other common law judges, by the Lord Cliun- 
cellor, on that most important and interesting subject. 
LATEST INTELLIGENCE.— FRIDAY. 
BT SUBMARINE AND EUROPEAN TELEORArn. 
Copenhagen, March 14 (via Hamburgh— Several sail of the English 
fleet are signalled. A frigate has come to anchor before tho city. — 
Horning Pal . - . 
Pabis, Thursday evening. — The French fleet, now transporting 
troops to the East, will bo represented in the Baltic by the Austerlitz. 
But the squadron of Admiral Parscval Doschcncs wlU soon enter that 
sen to Join Admiral Napier. 
Official Declaration of a State of Siege in Russia. — Tho 
Monitcur, under the date of St. Petersburg, March tho 7th, gives five 
official documents declaring various parts of the Russian dominions in 
a state of siege. Each Imperial ukase is dated Marcli the 5th. 
The French Expedition to Nankin.— [From the French steamer 
Cassini, Nankin, Dec., 1853:]— “Wo have accomplished the voyage 
thus fur with perfect safety. Our only alarm has been a gun which 
was died into us on arrival here on tho 6th inst. Preparations were 
made, and decks cleared, but as the firing ceased on shore as soon ns 
wc dropped anchor, a boat was scut to ask nn explanation, which was 
satisfactory, and a messenger was sent to opologise for tho shot fired, 
which was by • accident 1 • " 
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Mundy, Assistant Quartermaster-General at 
Kilkenny, has been appointed Military Secretary for War and the 
Colonies. 
Departure of Admiral Corrt, March 16.— At 11 o’clock this 
morning, her Majesty and Prince Albert, in tho Fniiy steam yacht, 
Captain the Hon. Joseph Denman, came to Spitheud to bid farewell to 
Keiir-Admiral Corry, before his noble ship, the Neptune, 120, left to 
lorn Sir Charles Napier's fleet. She will anchor in the Downs lor orders, 
immediately on tho Fairy's arriving within a couple of miles of the three- 
decker, the lutter opened a Royal salute, which was taken up by the 
i riiice Regent, DO, Captain Smith ; Boscawen, 70, Captain Glanvllle; and 
frolic, 16, Commander Nolloth. The Neptune and Bulldog paddle- 
irigute. Captain W. H. Hall, then weighed, tho former under topsails 
!?“ topgallant sails, and ultimately royals; tiie latter under steum. 
1 he Cruiser, screw, 16, Commander the Hon. G. Douglas, 1ms arrived 
at Spithead from Gibraltar to join the fleet. She left on the 9th, ex- 
changed numbers with the Simoom on the same day off the Rock, and 
passed the Golden Fleece on tho 15th, both with troops on board. A 
ime of steamers lias been advertised to run from Hull to the Prussian 
port of Pillau, in the Baltic, taking goods for Mcmel, &c., with the 
view of carrying on the trade between England and Russia. It is to 
consist of screw propellers of about 700 tons. 
The Australian Royal Mail Stf.am-packet Company's Steamer 
Sydney, with dates from Australia to tho 12th of December, was nt St. 
8 on tho 2nd of March, when the Great Western, now arrived 
nn.iiooS^ 10 "’ leRl S1 ‘° had a considerable nnmber of passengers, 
122,000 ounces of gold on freight; she would be detained a few 
uays to repair a leak in lier boilers. Iler Majesty's ships Centaur, 
fliadHgaseAr. Crescent, nnd Star, were at Rio when the Great Western 
f«r Su® « l4) ,' The Russlan h»K«to Aurora sailed on the 12th of Feb. 
' , r , the b “t the Russian schooner yacht Rogneda was left in 
f, The French frigate Galatea und brig Clausen were a'so at Rio. 
? 8 8 w ip Juno w “ nt Madeira. The steamer Bosphorus, 11 
lomfr thampt0n> fUTived at St ' Vincent ' 8 on the 16th ult. bound 
TTtttdc PARLIAMENT. 
re«,ir^r S P.u ^ T.— Lords.— L ord Stanley of Alderley moved the second 
reading of the Coasting Trade Bill. 
S( ?“ e observations from Lord Derby, Lords Grey and Broug- 
ham, tbe bill was rend a second time. Adjourned. 
rewd^° n m;T7i Mr ; D,s ™ eli inquired whether tho Government had 
otnclal information that renewed propositions for the settlement 
j r l n Is t er ' n t *V UhmwT^ " K the Eaat hnd been aQbmi tted to her Majesty's 
Lord J. Russell replied in the negative. 
Mr. Headlam moved for leave to bring in a bill to consolidate nnd 
amend tho laws of mortmain, and the laws regulating gifts to charitable 
or religious purposes. 
The motion was seconded by Mr. Hadflcld. 
The Attorney-General, without pledging the Government to the de- 
tails of tho measure, offered no objection to tho motion. 
Leave was given to bring in the bill, after a few remarks by Mr. 
Bowyer. 
Mr. Pellntt moved for the appointment of a Royal Commission of 
Inquiry into tho state and revenue of endowed schools in England 
and Wales. 
Lord J. Russell said he must meet the motion by moving tho previous 
question. 
Mr. Hume and Mr. Kershaw urged the withdrawal of] the motion, 
nnd Mr. Pellutt nssenting, the motion was withdrawn after a few 
words from Mr. Henley and Sir G. Grey. 
The House adjourned at a quarter to 7 o’clock. 
MORETON-LE-MARSH STEEPLECHASES.— Thursday. 
The Free Handicap was wou, six lengths, by Mr. J. Tollltt’s 
Rejected, lOst 81b (Lovesy), beating Plougbboy, list 71b, second ; The 
Dean, lOst 81b, third ; Barsell, 9st 81b ; Minna, lOst 121b ; und Star of 
England, lOst 21b. Six lengths between the second and third : Barsell 
and Minna walked In, and Star of England pulled up a mile from home. 
The Hunt Steeplechase was won in a canter by Mr. Tollltt’s Tarn 
Wadlin, 12st (Twlddy), beating Premier, 12st, second; Harry, 13st 
(including 141b extra), third; Frederick, 12st ; Miller, 12st; Trucboy, 
12st; Mountain Dew, 12st; and Little Jane, 12st. 
The Hack Selling Stakr was won in two heats by Mr. C. Lindon’s 
Gift, beating Mr. C. Symond’s Janus and four others. 
ST. IVES’ STEEPLECHASES.— Thursday. 
Tiie Selling Steeplechase was won by Mr. Wndoy’s Brown Bess, 
lOst 71b (Nightingale), beuling Baylock, lust 71b; Reindeer, lOst 71b; 
and Tiie Monk, lost 71b. 
The Handicap Steeplechase was won by Mr Jones’s Lady Grey, 
lOst 101b (Sir. Hartley), beating Dragsman, lOst 81b; Queen Bess, lost 
81b; and Lively Bob, 12st 61b. 
The Selling Hurdle Race was won in three heats by Mr. G. M. 
Ede’s Plmperne (.£40), lOst 71b (Owner), beating Sadler (£20), Ost 7lh 
(carried Ost 101b), and six others. The winucr was bought in for 45 
guineas. 
The Handicap Hurdle Race was won ill two heats by Mr. Wallace’s 
Lucy, list (carried list 21b) (Mr. Eksrd), beating Kato Kearney, 1 Ost 
81b (carried lOst 101b), and three others. 
The Scurry Handicap was won by Mr. Fielding’s Monk, beating 
ten others. 
Tadcaster Steeplechases — Wednesday.— The Handicap Stakes 
were won in a canter by Diana; Malay was second. Seven ran. 
The Northumberland Great Handicap Steeplechase. Weights. 
To declare March 28th. View Halloo, list; Muloy, lOst 121b; Routh, 
lOst 101b; Lucy Neale, lOst 8lb; Clansman, lOst 41b; Little Jessie, 
lOst 41b; Sam Slick, lOst 21b; Tiie Woodman, lOst: Spider, lost; 
Learmouth, lust; Michael, by Juek, Ost 121b; Mignionette, Ost 121b ; 
Tiie Czar, by Charley Boy, Ost 101b; Nortia,9st 81b; Beech Nut, Ost 41b. 
If the highest acceptance be under list it will bo raised to that weight.* 
Thirty-seven horses, headed by Ephesus, Ost 21bs, have accepted ior 
Earl Spencer's Plate. 
G. S. After which Br. P. M. Watson, of tho Lodge, Initiated hiseldc.it 
son (by permission of tho W. M.) into tiie order, giving tho charge In 
his usual, able, and Impressive manner. Tho W. M. then resumed their 
chairs, and kept tho Lodgo open for tho purpose of raising Hr. Daven- 
port, tho tragedian, on his return from his professional duties, at tho 
City of London Theatre. 
MARKETS. 
(Continued from Last Page.) 
Money Market.— Thursday Evening.- This has boon settling day 
in the English Funds, but the fluctuations have not been important. 
Consols for money, which left off at 91 to J, were flrst quoted 90j to 
91 Jt, and closed at OOj to 91, both for money and U 10 18th of April. 
Tiie new propositions for an adjustment alleged to have boon con- 
cocted at St. Petersburg arc regarded as intended solely to retard 
European Powers. India Bonds left off ut 4s. to 8s., and Exchequer 
Bills at 8s. to 12s. premium. 
FRIDAY, 1 p.h — Market flat. Con6olB, 90J J. 
IRISH COURSING FIXTURES. 
Rathregan Mr. Plunkett March 20 and 21 
Limerick Club Mr. Duggan March 22 and 23 
North Union at Antrim March 28 
Herbertstown Mr. Owens April 1 and 5 
FREEMASONRY. 
Thursday, March IS, Globe Lodge, No. 23, Freemasons’ Tavern. 
— The business of tiie evening consisted in passing Bra. Hornsby, Barnes, 
and Wise, which was most efficiently done by tiie W. M Bi. Hewlett, 
THE OLD EARTH-STOPPER, OR THE FIND 
AND THE FINISH. 
BY JOHN MILLS, AUTHOR OF “TUB OLD ENGLISH OBXTLBMAM.” 
CHAPTER VI 1. 
TOM PITTS DISCOURSES UPON THE GREAT CLIMAX 
TO FOXHUNTING, 
The hour was yet early, ami Sam Waller saw upon In's 
arrival that a promising opportunity presented itself, in (lie 
absence of everybody prone to throw cold water upon his 
elocutionary impulses, of enjoying an uninterrupted chut 
witli Mistress Box, and ho resolved to embruce it with ull 
practicable expedition. 
Tho widow — that blooming, buxom landlady of tho Jolly 
Gardener — was reclining iu u chair with u well-stuffed 
cushion, not only easy by nanio, but practically constructed 
for comfort, and beguiled the uionioiits us they llutv by 
rubbing up her stock of lemons. 
“You never heard I s’poso, widder,” said the proprietor 
of the smithy, “ how my father came to be rivottod, did ye ?” 
Mistress Box admitted, without reservation, « hut she was 
In a state impervious to the vays of menial light concerning 
the direct method in which Mr. Waller, senior, found himself 
clinched. 
“ Then I'll tell ye," added Sam, delighted at tho prospect 
of possessing a listener. “ You shall heur from mo, ma’um, 
how my father came to be welded, as it were, to the chain 
0 ’ matrimony.” 
Tho landlady of tho Jolly Gardener, with that urbanity 
which rendered her so popular among the several circles 
of society in a large division of tiie county, expressed an 
unusual degree of interest concerning the martyrdom of tho 
elder Mr. Waller. 
“ It may now bo a matter of forty-three years ago,” com- 
menced Bam, looking uervously at tho door, for he momen- 
tarily feored an interruption, “ that my father — then a halo 
and hearty man, who could pilch fifty-six pounds ton rod — 
was sent for to mend tiie smoke-jack ut Major Mqesy’s, and 
