SIR WILLIAM BLACKSTONE died on the 14th of February, 1780. He was born
at the house of his father, a silkman, in Cheapside, London, on the 10th
of July, 1723; sent to the Charter-house in 1730; entered
Pembroke-college, Cambridge, in 1738; of the Middle Temple, 1741; called
to the bar in 1746; elected recorder of Wallingford in 1749; made doctor
of civil law in 1750; elected Vinerian professor of common law in 1758;
returned a representative to Parliament in 1761; married in 1761; became
a justice of the court of Common Pleas in 1770. In the course of his
life he filled other offices. He was just and benevolent in all his
relations, and, on the judicial seat, able and impartial. In English
literature and jurisprudence he holds a distinguished rank for his
“Commentaries on the Laws of England.” This work originated in the legal
lectures he commenced in 1753: the first volume was published in 1759,
and the remaining three in the four succeeding years. Through these his
name is popular, and so will remain while law exists. The work is not
for the lawyer alone, it is for every body. It is not so praiseworthy to
be learned, as it is disgraceful to be ignorant of the laws which
regulate liberty and property. The absence of all information in some
men when serving upon juries and coroners’ inquests, or as constables,
and in parochial offices, is scandalous to themselves and injurious to
their fellow men. The “Commentaries” of Blackstone require only common
capacity to understand. Wynne’s “Eunomus” is an excellent introduction
to Blackstone, if any be wanting. With these two works no man can be
ignorant of his rights or obligations; and, indeed, the “Commentaries”
are so essential, that he who has not read them has no claim to be
considered qualified for the exercise of his public duties as an
Englishman. He is at liberty, it is true, for the law leaves him at
liberty, to assume the character he may be called on to bear in common
with his fellow-citizens; but, with this liberty, he is only more or
less than a savage, as he is more than a savage by his birth in a
civilized country, and less than a savage in the animal instinct, which
teaches that self-preservation is the first law of nature; and still
further is he less, because, beside the safety of others, it may fall to
him, in this state of ignorance, to watch and ward the safety of the
commonwealth itself.
Blackstone, on making choice of his profession, wrote an elegant little
poem, entitled “_The Lawyer’s Farewell to his Nurse_.” It is not more to
be admired for ease and grace, than for the strong feeling it evinces in
relinquishing the pleasures of poesy and art, and parting for ever from
scenes wherein he had happily spent his youthful days. Its conclusion
describes his anticipations--
Lost to the field and torn from you--
Farewell! a long--a last adieu!
Me wrangling courts and stubborn _law_
To smoke and crowds, and cities draw;
There selfish faction rules the day,
And pride and av’rice throng the way;
Diseases taint the murky air,
And midnight conflagrations glare:
Loose revelry and riot bold
In frighted streets their orgies hold;
Or when in silence all is drowned,
Fell murder walks her lonely round
No room for peace--no room for you
Adieu, celestial nymph, adieu!