"The _first_ includes a space of thirty-nine years--from the abdication of James to the death of George I. in 1727--characterised by master spirits, critical events, and stirring debate. The _second_ era--sort of mezzo-termino--comprehends the reign of George II., when men in office were corrupt, and public morals low, and the general topics of discourse resembled parish vestry discussions, but still a prosperous reign--the sound common-sense of Walpole promoting, even by inglorious acts, the national welfare, and Chatham's genius rescuing the age from mediocrity. "The regular publication of the debates, and troubles in America, usher in the _last_ and most glorious epoch,--the days of North and Burke--of Pitt and Fox--of Windham and Canning--of Tierney, and Brougham, and Peel,--illustrated by oratory enduring as the language, and with memories of statesmen that can never die." Mr Townsend's second work was published about four years afterwards--viz., in 1848--also in two volumes, and entitled _Lives of Twelve Eminent Judges of the Last and Present Century_. These were--Lord Alvanley, Mr Justice Buller, Lord Eldon, Lord Ellenborough, Lord Erskine, Sir Vicary Gibbs, Sir William Grant, Lord Kenyon, Lord Loughborough, Lord Redesdale, Lord Stowell, and Lord Tenterden. This work consisted of memoirs, which the author had previously published in the _Law Magazine_, where they had attracted considerable attention from the profession; as they contained many interesting and entertaining anecdotes, and information not easily attainable elsewhere.[2] Both of these works are of an entertaining character. They are written in an easy, flowing style--occasionally, however, somewhat loose and gossiping. It must be owned that the author's _forte_ does not lie in the delineation of character, either moral or intellectual. If he really possessed a quick and searching insight into it, he would seem to have felt a greater pleasure in grouping about each individual who was the subject of his pencil the general incidents of his position, than in penetrating his idiosyncrasy, and detecting the operation of those incidents upon it. He does not conceive distinctly of _his man_, keeping his eye steadily upon him, with a view to the development and exhibition of character; but is apt, if we may be allowed so to speak, to lose him in his life. Still the work is decidedly an acquisition to popular and professional literature, and, equally with its predecessor, evidences the mild and candid temper and character of the author. Thus much we thought it only fair to premise, in justice to the memory of an amiable and accomplished member of the English bar, and a man of letters; one, too, who in his political opinions was a staunch and consistent upholder of those to which Maga has ever been devoted. In no instance, however--in neither of the two