"Judicial History of New York." His style in writing is concise, clear, and forcible. He strikes vigorously, without fear or favor, and at the same time with perfect honesty and impartiality. As a worker, his industry is marvellous; and the care, grace, and finish with which he completes his literary under takings are evidence not only of congenital literary taste, but also of cultivation and study.
His tastes and characteristics outside the law are illustrated in his volume of essays entitled " Iconoclasm and Whitewash, and other Papers." The title essay is a study of historical vindications of bad characters and detractions from good ones. That on " Bib liomania" treats of the follies and fancies of book- collectors. Another is on the ab surdities of " Shakspearian Criticism," and the last on " Gravestones, aesthetically and ethically considered." Mr. Browne has also published a translation in English verse of Racine's only comedy, " Les Plaideurs," which is a broad satire on lawyers. From his father, who is a graceful poet, Mr. Browne seems to have inherited con siderable poetical taste and skill. He has written a good deal of humorous verse on general subjects, as well as on the law. Some of the latter has from time to time ap peared in the pages of the " Green Bag." In addition, he has written much serious verse, showing that he has the humorist's common sadness of fancy. Upon the death of Isaac Grant Thompson, the founder and editor of the " Albany Law
Journal," in 1879, Mr. Browne was called to Albany to fill the editorial chair, which posi tion he now holds. In legal journalism his chief aim has always been to reform the laws, to render them cheap, speedy, and certain. He has always been a persistent advocate of general codification, and of the amelioration of the law of evidence and of married women. His journal is something more than a mere reporter of decision's, for its editor has strong and decided opinions which he does not hesitate to express. His secondary aim has been to render the law interesting, and to enliven it by pointing out and commenting on its humorous phases. For these reasons his journal is undoubt edly more read and quoted by lawyers and newspapers than any of its contempo raries. Mr. Browne also succeeded Mr. Thompson in the editorial charge of the "American Reports," which he conducted from the 25th to the 60th and closing vol ume. He has never had any assistant on the " American Reports," and for several years has done all the editorial work upon the "Law Journal " also, and yet has found time to compile a digest of the New York Court of Appeals Reports, and two volumes of National Bank Cases, and is now engaged in the preparation of an annotated edition of the New York Reports. Notwithstanding the severe demands made upon his time, Mr. Browne has also been for eight years a lecturer in the Albany Law School on "Domestic Relations" and "Criminal Law."
