fr. C. W. Goodwin who was Appointed Acting Chief Justice in 1876 following the Retirement of Sir Edmund Hornby (The second of the series of tides prepared for the "North= Thina Sunday News." The first, on sir Edmund Hornby, appeared a fortnight ago.)
Following the retirement of Sir edmund Hornby in 1876, Mr. Chares Wycliffe Goodwin was appointed leting Chief Justice of H. M. Supreme Court. He, however, only illed the appointment for a few months as in the following year he as taken ill and died on January 17, 1878.
Writing of this great scholar, the North-China Herald" of January 24, 1878, says inter alia: The late held a high place and. his _knowledge of music was scientific and profound. The admirable musical critiques in the "Guardian" were for many years furnished by his pen, His contribution to: the celebrated "Essays and Reviews," undertaken, we believe, at short notice, was by no means the least attractive of the seven remarkable papers that constitute a, volume, the public ation of which was destined to form fan epoch in English—theological thought, and to illustrate the advantage derivable to the cause of religious and moral truth from a free handling in a becoming spirit Charles "Wycliffe Goodwin wi alef subjects peculiarly inble to W. Goodwin. man of extraordinary gifts. After caroer at Cambridge, devoted himself to antiqua rian and historical research. At first, his inclination drew him to the study of Anglo-Saxon and his translation of curious fragments from our mother language were remarkable for their accuracy and care, His most conspicuous literary achievements, however, were in a very different' field, After two px three years at the Coptic tongue, as a preparatory study, Mx, Goodwin set to work on the decipherment of Egyptian papyri, He followed the system of Champollion, and worked with extraordinary and indefatigable industry at this task. Tt is not flattery, but strict fact, to describe the late Judge as ons of the greatest Egyptologists. This obscure and dificult study, taxing to the utmost the industry and acuteness of the scholar, had an irresistible fascination for Mr. Goodwin: and he worked at it with the enthusiasm and patience which in their combination constitute "The Story of Sancho," "The two Brothers," and many other precious relics of antiquity were recovered by his skill: and as long as he had health for the task he laboured with unflagging activity at his self posed toil. The great European scholars Lepsius, Chabus, Renan, Brugsh, Hincks, and others, regarded his translations as models: and the dissertations on subjects connected the Egypt of the Exodus, in the "Speaker's Commentary" on the Bible, were all corrected and revised by]. his hand, He did not, however, confine his attention to this study, but was engaged at one time in conducting a literary periodical falled The' Parthenon" and wrote much for the "Saturday Review" in its early days. 4 Tu all the varied studies which he. essayed, he was remarkable for the thoroughness with which he handled his subject, As an art critic, he suffer from conventional language and traditional treatment. But those who enjoyed the great pri vilege of Mr. Goodwin's acquaint ance remember him with that affec~ Honate regard which is seconded by qualities not always associated with profound antiquarian scholarship. He was one of the most charming companions that it was possible to meet. His conversation was studded recondite allusions, with happy. expressions, and with all the evid-fences of a learning alike accurate fand profound: but it was lighted up with the most playful fancy, and enhanced by the modesty which Chaucer describes as inseparable from the true scholarship.
"And gladly waldo he lorne, and 'We may sometimes regret, in the interests of science, that a more congenial field than a Judgeship in Shanghai was not found for a man so peculiarly and richly endowed with gifts: and whose bias certainly' pointed out other spheres as far more congenial to his taste and adapted to his powers: but at the same time we were fortunate for having amongst us 4 man of rare learning who was at the same time, an embodiment of some of the most lovable qualiies, and a model of honour, simplicity, and purity of aim. Those who knew him intimately learned something fresh from every con~ versation they had with him, and feel that the loss made by his death is in many senses irreparable.
"Non amnia terra Obruta: visit amor, visit dolor."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.