Memoir of Francis Hodgson
Charles Webb Le Bas to Francis Hodgson, 16 December 1852
Brighton: December 16, 1852.
My dear Provost,—The county press (which comprises
Bucks), has upwards of one obituary column and a half in honour of Empson,1 who expired
at Haileybury, on Friday evening last. If the
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| 324 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. | |
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paper falls in your way, you will find this notice very
interesting. It has not said one syllable too much of that truly admirable man.
One passage I cannot refuse myself the gratification of transcribing. In his
last illness Empson said, ‘Send my love to
Denman; and tell him that I do not
forget how long I lived under the shadow of his noble nature.’
This dying testimony cannot be otherwise than delightful, though mournfully so,
to Mrs. Hodgson and yourself. His
admiration of Lord Denman amounted almost to a
passion.—a passion at which none can wonder who knew anything of the two
men.
We have heard a rumour of your possible appearance at
Brighton. Has rumour spoken true?
Yours always very faithfully,
Thomas Denman, first baron Denman (1779-1854)
English barrister and writer for the
Monthly Review; he was MP,
solicitor-general to Queen Caroline (1820), attorney-general (1820), lord chief justice
(1832-1850). Sydney Smith commented, “Denman everybody likes.”
William Empson (1791-1852)
Educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge, he succeeded Sir James Mackintosh
as professor of law at the East India College, Haileybury. He wrote for the
Edinburgh Review, of which he became editor in 1847.
Charles Webb Le Bas (1779-1861)
Educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a contributor to the
British Critic, prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral and professor, dean
and principal of the East India College, Haileybury.
