One of the greatest Judges that I can remember
was Mr. Justice Blackburn, afterwards Lord Black-
burn. He was a very impressive personage on the
Bench by reason of his profound learning, his
impatience of ignorance, and a strong dictatorial
manner. His mother was a very clever old lady,
from whom he probably inherited much of his own
strength of character. There was a story that the old
lady, having quarrelled with one of her tradesmen,
consulted her son as to a legal remedy. He strongly
advised her on no account to go to law, but the old
lady, not relishing such peaceful advice, took the
tradesman into the County Court and achieved a great
victory. In broad Scotch, she gave her distinguished
son plainly to understand that she didn't think much of
his law, and was much surprised that he should have
so great a reputation. I saw a good deal of the Judge
in private life. No one could be more gentle and

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benevolent in all his ways, and it used to be a standing
wonder to his nieces and nephews that any one could
be afraid of him. I remember spending a happy time
with the Blackburn family in Scotland, where the
Judge had a charming house in Ayrshire. It was in
the heart of the country of Robert Burns, and I really
believe there was not a line of his poetry which the
Judge did not know by heart ; he was never tired of
quoting him. He had a wonderful memory, and not
limited to poetry, for I remember on one occasion
hearing him repeat a long passage from one of
Macaulay's essays. When he was made a law lord
I asked him if he regretted ceasing to be a Judge.
