Iii.—: Law Appointments.

Scarlett, sir James, lord chief baron of the Exchequer.

The new Lord Abinger seems likely to terminate his career much in the same way as if he had stuck to his old friends, and die at last a peer and pensioner. In spite of his rubicund equanimity, sir James must have experienced considerable political chagrin, and the last, we “guess,” has been the pleasantest Christmas of some years. The learned chief baron recollects, no doubt, the year when the late chancellor, then the Queen’s attorney-general, almost killed himself by over-exertion to outshine him on the Northern circuit.

Sugden, sir Edward, lord chancellor of Ireland.

Said to have given up a practice of £20,000 a year, which is a great sacrifice for a pension, and most likely short-lived legal distinction. Except as a lawyer, sir Edward is a Lilliputian of the narrowest dimension. He has, however, the credit of being the first Tory convert, or ‘conformer,’ having two months since, at Merchant Tailors’ Hall, expressed himself favourable to the removal of ‘proved abuses,’ so far and so forth as is compatible with the maintenance of existing institutions, &c.

Pollock, sir Frederick, King’s attorney-general.

Son of the late King’s saddler, at Charing-cross, and opposed to the admission of Dissenters into the Universities.

Follett, sir William, solicitor-general.

Has made a flourishing speech at Exeter for the ‘good old cause’ of Church and King.

Rae, sir William, lord advocate of Scotland.

The lady of sir William has a large pension on the civil list, granted under the Wellington administration as a compensation to the lord advocate for loss of emolument as sheriff depute.

Pennefather, sergeant, attorney-general for Ireland.

Jackson, Devonsher, solicitor-general for Ireland.

Some of the writers of the public press, from whom more discrimination might have been expected, have vouchsafed their approbation of the legal appointments of the new Ministers. The infamy of lawyers seldom appears until they accept government employment. That the new functionaries are respectable and of ability are unavoidable conditions of their offices; for at this day no other could be selected, or at least would be tolerated, either for judges or King’s attorney-general. But as to their political tendencies, they are as bad as possible; for they are renegados or high prerogative men of strong prejudices, and what worse could we have for the present times?