than any other, it is his ability to set before the judgment of jurors the facts in a case, and apply the law in exactness to those facts. He is so cool, so dispassionate, so free from prejudice, so impartial, that they know that they will be fairly and honestly dealt with, and that they will not err if they follow his lead. It is charged by some that he is restive. in the trial of causes. Perhaps the charge is partially true;, but it is the impatience of genius, chafing at the dulness of inferior minds, at the waste of time in the utterance of platitudes of mediocrity, or at unneces sary delay. He is always fair, never im patient when the case demands care and examination. But his quick, alert mind sees the end from the beginning, and he deplores that valuable moments should be wasted in de laying a result which he had already learned was inevitable. So his impressive " Pro ceed, gentlemen! " means that it is not necessary to spend breath in endeavoring to postpone that which is already deter mined, or to establish that which is so easily demonstrable. Judge Depue took his seat on the bench at the November term of the year 1866, but, of course, could take no part in delivering opinions, except such as were oral, and could only listen to arguments. His first opinion was given at the March term, 1867. It was a case of quo warranto, arising upon the school law of the State. The cause was not of any very great importance, but it received, as did every case submitted to him, a thor ough and searching examination. His opin ions are always exhaustive, and he has the faculty of ascertaining every point there is in a cause. In 1873 his first term closed, and he was renominated by Governor Parker, who, al though politically opposed to him, yet appre ciated the importance of retaining him in the judiciary of the State. In 1880 he was again nominated and confirmed, and by a Democratic Governor. His third term ex pired in 1887, when he was again made an
Associate Justice. These reappointments were just tributes to his impartiality, ability, and integrity. He has since his appoint ment to office never swerved a hair's-breadth from the strict line of duty, by any consid eration whatever. When on the bench he knows no friend nor foe, is swayed by no motive other than the earnest, overmaster ing desire to do justice to all. His keen dis crimination and quick intuition enable him to discern at once what is the true path of duty, and he never fails to find and follow it. With all his mental acquisitions, his intel lectual ability, and his profound learning, he is a man of simple and unaffected manners, and is easy of access to all, no matter how poor or humble. He is a great reader, and delights especially in biography; his tastes are scholarly and lead him to the highest order of literature. He dearly loves the society of friends, and will with them unbend himself, in his leisure moments, in humor and discussions of lighter themes than those connected with abstract legal principles. Two colleges in New Jersey have conferred the degree of LL.D. upon Judge Depue, — Rutgers in 1874, and Princeton in 1880. Early in the last century there came to New Jersey many emigrants from Holland. Among these Hollanders was a family named Van Syckel, which settled in Hunterdon County. Some of the descendants of this family are still prominent in the community, and are distinguished citizens of that county. A small hamlet has received a name — Van Syckel's Corners — which shows the influ ence they exercised in the county. These emigrants were a sturdy race, fearing God, obeying the laws, and exerting a powerful sway over the community by their honesty and intelligence. They were fit representa tives of the Dutch of two centuries before, who, under the leadership of William the Silent, with high-souled courage and an everabiding faith in their righteous cause were enabled to defy Spain, and successfully re sist the power of the greatest empire then known.
