unlearn; for although the law in the United States is founded on the English law, time has caused a considerable divergence between them, and the technicalities of practice vary still more. He had to contend against the élite of the English Bar,—men who had established a long-standing reputation, and were not easily to be displaced by a new-comer of whom little was generally known. At first his earnings at the bar were so small that he had to write for newspapers and periodicals to make a living.
In 1868 he published a treatise on "Sales of Personal Property," which was a great success, and brought him reputation and practice. His talents became known, and he speedily rose to the front rank of the profession. In the short space of six years he attained the rank of Queen's Counsel, the highest in the practising profession. His income is said to have been, during the last few years before his retirement, as high as $200,000 a year.
Mr. Benjamin's appearance was far from prepossessing; he was short and stout,—in fact, what the irreverent might call stumpy,—and his voice had about it the genuine American twang, particularly offensive to our English brethren. There was nothing of dignity in his gait or bearing. How powerful, then, must have been the energy and intellect that could defy and surmount all these defects!
He was singularly amiable and sympathetic in his association with others, and showed an amount of retiring diffidence and modesty that would scarcely be expected in one who had been an actor in so many exciting scenes of conflict and turmoil.
Among the many cases that made this famous man still more famous, not the least was the Franconia Case, and he succeeded in convincing the judges that the hitherto accepted authorities on International Law were, to say the least, sometimes mistaken. His strong point was in argument before trained judges, and they always listened to him with the greatest attention and respect.
In spite of his great talents (so speedily recognized), no feelings of jealousy were ever manifested by those who would be most likely to suffer by his advance. The right hand of fellowship was extended to him from the first by the English Bar, and he was regarded with esteem and affection.
Owing to failing health, he retired from the bar in 1883, so that all his successes were gained within a period of seventeen years, much of the early time having been employed in learning to achieve them. A dinner was given to him on his retirement, by the judges and the bar, in the hall of the Inner Temple.
He came from Paris, his favorite dwelling-place, to receive this tribute of regard. He had become very much enfeebled, and looked weak and ill. In feeling and tender words he poured forth his thanks for the generosity and uniform kindness with which the bar had received a destitute fugitive from another land, one who had nothing but his misfortunes to recommend him to their sympathy. It was a touching scene, rendered all the more so by the feeling that the days of this leader among leaders were already numbered.
He died at Paris on the 8th of May, 1884.
