Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 01.pdf/157

This page needs to be proofread.
134
The Green Bag.

master spirits put the mark so high that it is only just within their reach. But the day when he shone was when he came to argue the questions of law. His way of disregarding ramifications and cutting at the root alone was something never to be forgotten by those who heard him. Chief-Justice Shaw once said to Mr. Bart Allegiance to the law was the master pas lett, when he was arguing a case : " If you sion of his life. He loved the brotherhood, would state your line of reasoning a little and was foremost in all that tended to main more fully, Mr. Bartlett, we should like to tain its usefulness and uphold its character. have you. Your mental operations are so In all the high qualities essential to the rapid that others do not sometimes see thorough exposition and successful applica the connections between your premises and tion of legal principles, — clear perception, conclusions so readily as you do." Senator searching analysis, inexorable logic, scientific Hoar once said of him that " his processes precision of thought and statement, a con of reasoning bore about the same relation vincing and cogent style, and an unerring to those of ordinary lawyers that logarithms and imperturbable practical sagacity, — he bear to common arithmetical processes." Engrossed as he was in the law, he touched was without a superior, if not without a rival. These great gifts did not disdain, but were life at many other points. He enjoyed the always reinforced by, the most elaborate, pleasures of life to a great degree. In his exhaustive, and painstaking preparation. In early life he was extremely fond of fishing. deed, for such preparation he had a positive Before Martha's Vineyard became a fashion genius, and of many of his triumphs in the able resort, he used, for many years, to go forum it might be truly said that they had there with his close friend Judge Curtis, on been already won in his study. As an advi account of its attractions as a fishing place. ser and administrator in the most important He was eminently social, fond of young and intricate affairs, he was consummate; people, and of hearing of their doings and and his services in this respect were as in knowing of their ways. Simple in his tastes, valuable and successful as were his more he yet enjoyed the higher pleasures of the brilliant and conspicuous achievements at table, and wherever there was good conver sation he held up his end. His reading was the bar. One incident related of Mr. Bartlett was not confined to the law. He enjoyed history, of such a character that it ought to be biography, the sciences, and, above all, the impressed upon the minds not only of all novels of the day. He was kindly constituted, lawyers, but also of all literary men, of just, and fair-minded on all questions of poli artists, and, in fact, of every one who aspires tics, religion, and law, and on all questions of to do a superior piece of work in the world. the day; he was always ready to hear all "Once," said the friend of Mr. Bartlett who sides. He was capable of being convinced told the story, " I saw him, at the end of against his will, which all men are not. a long evening's labor, throw into the fire a Mr. Bartlett was a member of the Massa chusetts Legislature in 1851. He was also bundle of manuscript, his brief in a very im portant and difficult suit, saying, ' There a member of the Constitutional Convention goes the third brief that I have made in this in 1853. Of the others who represented case.' " An ordinary man thinks when he Boston at that time, Hon. Francis Brinley, has made one conscientious effort that he ex-Mayor F. W. Lincoln, and Hon. Henry J. need require no more of himself, but the Gardner, afterward Governor of the State, strictly to these. Capable of great labor, never losing his equanimity and self-possession, never worrying, he has followed the course in life which he had chosen with a devotion, an ability, and a success so remarkable that his practising law to the age of ninety with scarcely abated vigor makes him one of the most conspicuous figures among his countrymen."