Reports of the speedy appointment of a Lord Chancellor have
been prevalent ; but they are probably premature. We question whether Mr. Bickerstetb, who is generally looked upon as the fittest person, all things considered, for the Chief Equity Judgeship, would take a Peer- age, with the chance of the Lords throwitig out the Ministerial mea- sure for dividing the political from the judicial functions of the office, and with the chalice also of the Tories, in their desperation, making another successful assault on office, which would almost condemn him to idleness and a pension instead of a first-rate practice in the Rolls Court. As to the story in the Times, that Lord Brougham has been mentioned to the King for the Chancellorship, for the purpose of throwing on his Majesty the respohsibility of a refusal, it is a mere fabrication. There is not the slightest intention of restoring Lord Brougham to the Chancellorship : he has oo expectation of it. himself, and does not even stand in the way of any new arrangement.
Ili the meanwhile, there are symptoms of Tory opposition to the proposed scrtration of the judicial from the political functions of the Lord Chancellor. Sir Edward Stigden has addressed a letter to Lord Melbourne, strongly dissuading him front giving in to any such plan ; though several of his arguments seem to be much in favour of it. Sugden's opposition, however, bodes no good to the project ; and we ex- pect that the measure, with many others intended for the improvement of the law and the administration thereof, after having been passed by the Commons, will be unceremoniously kicked out by the Unreformed Lords.
Lord Brougham has left his residence at Petersham, for Brougham Hall ; where for many years he has passed the Christmas with his mother and sister, Mrs. and Miss Brougham.
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