298
The Green Bag.-
The phrases used (and above quoted) at as epitaphs for George Wood, LL.D., the the memorial bar meeting may well stand | model lawyer of half a century ago.
A UNIQUE CASE. THE following description of a case, probably unparalleled in our legal rec ords, is taken from a number of "Atkinson's Casket" published in 1834. One of the most extraordinary and most interesting trials of which I find any account in my note-book, took place in the Northern Circuit, very little less than fifty years ago. It is instructive in many points of view. To those who believe that they see the finger of Providence especially pointing out the murderer, and guiding, in a slow but uner ring course, the footsteps of the avenger of blood, it will afford matter of deep medita tion and reflection. To those who think more lightly upon such subjects; to those whom philosophy or indifference have taught to regard the passing current of events as gliding on in a smooth and unruffled chan nel, varied only by the leaves which the chance winds may blow into the stream, it will offer food for grave contemplation. However they may smile at the thought of Divine interposition, they will recognize in this story another proof of the wisdom of the sage of old, who said, that when the Gods had determined to destroy a man, they began by depriving him of his senses, that is, by making him act as if he had lost them. To the inexperienced in my profes sion it will teach a lesson of prudence, more forcible than ten thousand arguments could make it; they will learn that of which they stand deeply in need, and which scarce anything but dear-bought experience can enforce — to rest satisfied with success, with out examining too nicely how it has been obtained, and never to hazard a defeat by
pushing a victory too far. "Leave well alone" is a maxim which a wise man in every situation of life will do well to ob serve; but if a barrister hopes to rise to eminence and distinction, let him have it deeply engraven on the tablet of his mem ory. In the year 17 —, John Smilh was mdicted for the willful murder of Henry Thom son. The case was one of a most extraor dinary nature, and the interest excited by it was almost unparalleled.— The accused was a gentleman of considerable property, residing upon his own estate, in an unfre quented part of shire. A person, sup posed to be an entire stranger to him, had, late in a summer's day, requested and ob tained shelter and hospitality for the night. He had, it was supposed, after taking some slight refreshments, retired to bed in perfect health requesting to be awakened at an early hour the following morning. When the servant appointed to call him entered his room for that purpose, he was found in his bed perfectly dead; and, from the appear ance of the body, it was obvious that he had been so for many hours. There was not the slightest mark of violence on his person, and the countenance retained the same ex pression which it had borne during his life. Great consternation was, of course, excited by this discovery, and inquiries were im mediately made, first, as to who the stranger was — and, secondly, as to how he met with his death. Both were unsuccessful. As to the former, no information could be ob tained — no clue discovered to lead to the knowledge either of his name, his person,
