The fate Sir Alexander Cockburn.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 12, 4 December 1880, Page 100

The fate Sir Alexander Cockburn.

The late Lord Chief Justice of England, Sir Alexander Cockburn, whoso portrait we publish herewith, was one of the most able judges England has ever possessed. The masterly intellect which enabled him to grasp all the points of the most intricate case, Ids profound knowledge of the law, and his remarkably lucid method of expounding its subtleties, combined to make him especially noteworthy among the many great men who have occupied his exalted position. Sir Alexander Cockburn had an exceedingly agreeable manner, and a silvery voice, which it was always pleasant to listen to. It is no exaggeration to say that in his hands a dry right-of-way case became almost as interesting as a three-volume novel, and no juryman ever listened to his admirably clear and interesting "resume" of the evidence without feeling that there was much to be learned, and no little prolit to be derived from a day on the Queen's .Bench, even although business, had to be neglected for that purpose. J&veryone will remember how Sir Alexander Cockburn presided over the trial of the Claimant, and his remarkable charge to the jury, which, although' a marvel of condensation, occupied upwards of three weeks in delivery. The late Lord Chief Justice was born in 1802, and was the son of Mr. Alexander Cockburn, formerly English Minister in Columbia. He was educated -at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, called to the bar in 1829, made Solicitor-General in ISSO, and Attorney-General in 1851. His Attorney-Gen-eralship was chiefly remarkable for the masterly manner in Avhich he conducted the prosecution of Palmer, the notorious poisoner. In 1856 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, succeeding Judge Jervis, and in 1859, on the elevation of Lord Campbell to the Woolsack, he was advanced to the high office of Lord Chief Justice of England. In 1871 he was chosen arbitrator on behalf of England in regard to the x labama claims, and the brilliant manner in which he fought for the interests of Great Britain, together with the famous protest, he made, are matters of history. His death will be deeply mourned among all sections of English society. '". .