.jpg?w=1)
Details
BLACKSTONE, Sir William (1723-1780). Series of 4 autograph letters signed, addressed to the Earl of Shelburne, Wallingford, Oxford and London, 4 August 1761 - 29 July 1762, asking for Shelburne's help to be appointed Chief Justice of Chester, but when he fails, explaining that his ambition now rises to the post of an English judge, 12 pages, 4to.
Blackstone writes on 27 December, that he is most grateful for the honour of having been appointed King's Counsel, but complains to Shelburne 'that it has no Emolument annexed to it, but is rather attended with some degree of additional Expence. In my Turn therefore, whenever that Turn shall come, I may be bold to hope that some farther Advancement may be intended me'. He suggests the office of Chief Justice of Chester, that had just become vacant 'the Duty of it will not interfere with the Duty of my Oxford Professorship, which with me is still a very favourite point'. He then goes on to explain his plan for establishing a school of law, 'To this End I would willingly renounce my Attendance at the Bar, either totally or so far as might be necessary ... I should then also find Leisure & Opportunity to open another Plan which I have long meditated & which my present Situation in the University ... would give me Opportunity to put in Practice. I mean some Improvements in the Methods of academical Education; by retaining the useful Parts of it, stripped of monastic Pedantry; by supplying its Defects & adapting it more peculiarly to Gentlemen of Rank & Fortune: Whereas the Basis of the the present Forms is principally calculated for the Priesthood; while the Instruction of Laymen ... is only a collateral Object. The Universitites were founded when the little Learning of the Times was monopolized by the Clergy: They politickly meant it should continue so, & ordered their Institutions accordingly'.
Having failed in obtaining the post at Chester, he writes on 29 July 1762, that he has heard of a forthcoming vacancy as judge on the Western Circuit and asks Shelburne to intercede with Lord Bute, 'My ambition now rises to the Post of an English Judge; for which I hope that my Studies have in some degree qualified me (else I should be ashamed to think of it) though I fear that my natural Diffidence will never permit me to make any very great Progress at the Bar, for which Talents very different are required than those that will qualify for the Bench ... I have the Pleasure to acquaint you that I believe my Lord Chancellor, who is necessarily consulted upon these Occasions, would not be averse to such a Measure'.
APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED. (4)
Blackstone writes on 27 December, that he is most grateful for the honour of having been appointed King's Counsel, but complains to Shelburne 'that it has no Emolument annexed to it, but is rather attended with some degree of additional Expence. In my Turn therefore, whenever that Turn shall come, I may be bold to hope that some farther Advancement may be intended me'. He suggests the office of Chief Justice of Chester, that had just become vacant 'the Duty of it will not interfere with the Duty of my Oxford Professorship, which with me is still a very favourite point'. He then goes on to explain his plan for establishing a school of law, 'To this End I would willingly renounce my Attendance at the Bar, either totally or so far as might be necessary ... I should then also find Leisure & Opportunity to open another Plan which I have long meditated & which my present Situation in the University ... would give me Opportunity to put in Practice. I mean some Improvements in the Methods of academical Education; by retaining the useful Parts of it, stripped of monastic Pedantry; by supplying its Defects & adapting it more peculiarly to Gentlemen of Rank & Fortune: Whereas the Basis of the the present Forms is principally calculated for the Priesthood; while the Instruction of Laymen ... is only a collateral Object. The Universitites were founded when the little Learning of the Times was monopolized by the Clergy: They politickly meant it should continue so, & ordered their Institutions accordingly'.
Having failed in obtaining the post at Chester, he writes on 29 July 1762, that he has heard of a forthcoming vacancy as judge on the Western Circuit and asks Shelburne to intercede with Lord Bute, 'My ambition now rises to the Post of an English Judge; for which I hope that my Studies have in some degree qualified me (else I should be ashamed to think of it) though I fear that my natural Diffidence will never permit me to make any very great Progress at the Bar, for which Talents very different are required than those that will qualify for the Bench ... I have the Pleasure to acquaint you that I believe my Lord Chancellor, who is necessarily consulted upon these Occasions, would not be averse to such a Measure'.
APPARENTLY UNPUBLISHED. (4)