It will be as a law-reformer that B. will be best remembered. He took up Romilly's uncompleted task of carrying into practice the ameliorations suggested by Bentham. His efforts in this direction began as early as 1816, when he introduced into parliament a bill to remove various defects in the law of libel. In 1827, in a memorable speech which occupied six hours in delivery, B. enumerated the defects in nearly every branch of English law, and made proposals for (hailing with law-refonn on a proper scale. These, as might have been expected, met with little encouragement. It has been the fortune of many of his measures to be carried afterwards,in a mutilated form, by other hands. After lie left office, B. also succeeded in carrying various reforms in the law, among which may be noted some very extensive changes in the law of evidence. Among the measures proposed by B., but left for future law-reformers to carry, were bills for the codification of the criminal law, for the establishment in England of a sys tem of public prosecutors, and for the giving of compensation to parties acquitted. Lord B.'s acts and bills, as well those regarding the siave4rade, education, and other public ciuestions, as those touching on law-reform, have been collected and published by sir J. E. Eardly 'Wilmot (Loud., Longman, 1857). The large well-filled volume which they form is the most fitting monument that could be preserved of the activity, perseverance, and public spirit of the man.
As an orator, more especially as a debater in parliament, B. was, among the men of his time, inferior only to Canning. Ile was wont, however, to indulge in his speeches in too large an admixture of exciting elements: argument was mingled with fiery declamation; ridicule, sarcasm, invective, were freely used; and these lie dealt out with a vehemence and energy that at times carried him far beyond bounds. The power
of ready, rapid, and forcible diction was eminently his. In ninny other fields besides oratory, B. has won a high reputation. He cultivated mathematical and physical science with success, and ventured upon the domain of metaphysics, and even of theology. His miscellaneous writings are of great extent, and upon an almost incredible variety of sub jects. They were, however, intended more to serve purposes of the moment, than as permanent additions to our literature; and though they display great powers of rapid comprehension and nervous clear exposition, it cannot be said that we are indebted to their author for any new truths in politics or morals. or any original discoveries in science. The honors due to men of letters B. did not fail to acquire, having successively been made lord rector of Glasgow university, president of university college, London, member of the institute of France, chancellor of the university of Edinburgh, and lastly, D.C.L. of Oxford.
Lord B. took a warm interest in legal and social reform. While not engaged in par liament, lie resided chiefly at Cannes, in the s. of France, where he died May 7th. 1868. His lordship married, in 1819, Mary Anne Eden. the granddaughter of a baronet in the co. of Durham. The issue of this marriage was two daughters, who both died before reaching womanhood. The patent of the laid to the peerage was extended to make it descend to the family of his brother. B. left a memoir of his life and times, which was published in 3 vols. (1871).