We stated last week, in recording the very numerous legal
appointments of the present Government, that "the only instance in which professional standing has been recognized as superior to party fidelity was in the case of Sir Robert Phillimore." That is, however, no longer true. Sir William Shee's place has been filled up by Mr. James Hannen, of the Home Circuit, a Liberal,—and the appointment is said to be a respectable one, though scarcely so good as if Mr. Mellish had been raised to the Bench. The Lord Justiceship, vacated by Lord Cairns, has been offered to, and we believe accepted by, Vice-Chancellor Sir W. Page Wood, also a Liberal,—but in this case it was essential to secure for the Court of Appeal the only great available Equity judge. Mr. Baggallay, - M.P. for Hereford, a Conservative, is spoken of as likely to succeed Sir W. Page Wood.
Previous page
