Although I have caricatured a very large number of men at the bar and
on the bench, I have not a proportionate number of personal anecdotes
to tell of my subjects, for as I have stated, they were chiefly the
result of studies from memory. As a result of my observations during
criminal cases I have witnessed, I drew Sir Henry Poland, Montague
Williams, Serjeant Parry (who was a great friend of Dr. Doran's and my
father's), and Sir Douglas Straight (who became an Indian Judge). I
was present not only at the farewell dinner given in his honour on
that occasion, but also at that given him on his retirement from the
editorship of the _Pall Mall Gazette_. In those days his great
intimacy with Montague Williams (whom he frequently opposed in Court)
gave them the nickname of "the Twins." After his return from the East,
Sir Douglas was made editor of the _Pall Mall Gazette_, a post he held
until a few years ago. He was an able man and a good editor. His
cartoon appeared previous to his becoming a judge.
Sir George Lewis never got over his, which was the outcome of a study
during the Bravo trial; and even when he was nearly eighty he admitted
as much to me.
A strikingly unconventional looking man was the late Lord Grimthorpe,
who came under my observation in '89; he wore a swallow tail coat, and
never carried a stick or an umbrella. He had somewhat the appearance
of a verger, although his was a strong, determined face. He was great
in church matters, and seemed never happier than when putting up the
backs of the Bishops during a debate in the Lords.
Sir James Ingham I studied, like most of my legal subjects, from
memory, but to make variety from the other magistrates, I caught him
in the adjoining yard and produced him in the act of deliberating in a
case of cruelty to a horse.
Sir Thomas Chambers, Recorder of London, was a favourite subject
(among the early cartoons), and one of my funniest caricatures. He was
a delightful kind of gentleman, but owing to a chronic affection of
his eyes, always carried his handkerchief in his hand to wipe away a
tear, looking all the while as though he had lost his best friend.
Sir Charles Hall, who followed Sir Thomas as Recorder of London, was a
great social success, and a favourite in Royal circles. He was as
popular at the Garrick Club as he was in country houses. I met him
first at Glen Tanar while on a visit to Sir William Cunliffe Brooks,
where I shot my first stag. He was an exceptionally fine rifle shot,
and "brought down" many there.
Lord Halsbury, a late Lord Chancellor, was another subject for whom I
have the greatest admiration, and he is one of the very remarkable men
of the day. His eye is as bright and his brain as clear as it ever
was.
Sir Alfred Cripps (now Lord Parmoor), was very amusing to study and to
draw, and my sketches of him fill a book. I believe he is in himself
quite as fascinating a person as his varying expressions in Court led
me to find him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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