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ΤΟ

THE HONOURABLE

WILLIAM FREDERICK CAMPBELL.

MY DEAR SON,

As you are not to inherit from me great possessions, or a name illustrated by long official career, I inscribe this work to you, in the hope that it may prove to you a lesson of true labour.

I have hitherto had much reason to rejoice in the progress of your studies; and when you return from viewing foreign cities and manners, I shall hope to see you struggling to confer benefits on your country, while you lay the foundation of a lasting reputation for yourself. Thus I shall be more gratified than by any power or distinction I myself could have acquired, and you will render contented and happy the declining years of

Your ever affectionate Father,
CAMPBELL.

PREFACE

ΤΟ

THE SECOND EDITION.

In presenting to the public a Second Edition of my first Series of the "LIVES OF THE LORD CHANCELLORS OF ENGLAND," I would rather expose myself to the imputation of vanity than of ingratitude; and I must, therefore, express my warm thanks for the favour with which the book has been received. I may truly say, that within a few weeks after its publication "it was on every table, almost on every toilette." Though founded on historical records, and having solid instruction for its object, it has been as generally read as popular works of fiction, aiming at nothing beyond amusement.

I must especially return my thanks for the kind manner in which, without regard to politics, the book has been treated in periodical publications-quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily. Gentlemen who have written these criticisms have done ample justice to any merits which they discovered, and have forborne to dwell upon mistakes which could not have escaped them.

This edition will be found not only more correct, but enriched with several interesting documents which have recently been communicated to me,—particularly a congratulatory Epistle to John de Langton on his appointment as Chancellor by Edward I.; Richard III.'s Letter to Lord Chancellor John Russell respecting the marriage of the Solicitor-General with Jane Shore; a letter to negotiate a marriage between the daughter of Lord Chancellor Audley and the son of Sir Anthony Denny; the courtship of young Edward Trafford and Margaret Boothe under the decree of Lord

Keeper Sir Nicholas Bacon; Lord Chancellor Hatton's address to the Bar on a call of Serjeants; Lord Ellesmere's decree to punish the prolixity of an equity draughtsman; two letters of Lord Keeper Williams, and a very curious letter to Jeffreys when Recorder of London, showing the detestation in which he was held even in that period of his career. I earnestly implore that errors and omissions may still be pointed out to me.

I have made considerable progress with my SECOND SERIES; and I trust that Volumes IV. and V. will be published before the end of the present year. These will bring down the Chancellors to the death of Lord Thurlow. A supplemental Volume, including Lord Loughborough, Lord Erskine, and Lord Eldon will complete the work. I then propose (life and health being preserved to me) to proceed with the "LIVES OF THE LORD CHANCELLors of Ireland." -among whom are to be found characters as interesting as any I have yet described, and whose history, I think, may be made to shed a new light upon the connexion between the two countries.

Stratheden House,

April 22, 1846.

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