CRITICAL REVIEW. JANUARY, 1798. The Life of William late Eart of Mansfield. By John Holliday, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq. F.R.S. and Barrister at Law. 4to. 11. Is. Boards. Elmsly. 1797. THE biographical department of English literature has been justly reproached for a deficiency in the article of EMINENT LAWYERS; and the circumstance is not less a fubject of surprise than of regret. Whatever paucity of incident may in general attend the lives of those who are devoted to the various branches of abstract learning, a similar barrenness of biographic materials will feldom be found in the private history of the chofen few, among the gentlemen of the long robe, who arrive at profeffional distinction: on the contrary, their lives are frequently distinguished by the trials of fortitude, and the struggles of perseverance; or, if aufpicious patronage prepares a smoother way to legal eminence, there may yet be reasons which render a literary portrait of the fortunate individual peculiarly interesting to the public. The latter description characterises the illustrious subject of thefe memoirs. To attract the difcriminating favour of a Hardwicke, and to obtain the immortal panegyric of a Pope, were circumstances fufficient to give celebrity to the career of lord Mansfield, while employed in the duties of the advocate. That part of his life is consequently deftitute of the eventful complexion so favourable to the delineations of the biographer. If we view him, however, in the capacity of a judge, it must be allowed that the fagacious equity of his decisions, the fafcinating eloquence with which he adorned the dry topics of jurisprudence, and the personal dignity and affability which diftinguished his performance of the functions of his high magisterial situation, afford a very striking theme for literary eulogium. The want of a proper tribute to these splendid qualifications is thus noticed by the writer of the present work. • The author of these sheets has, during four revolving years, CRIT. REV. VOL. XXII. Jan. 1798. B |