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turned to the practice of his profession when free to do so. Its atmosphere suited him. The fecundity of his intellect never showed to better effect than when practising at the bar. His resourcefulness, his nimbleness of mind, his great stores of general knowledge, his energy, his pugnacity, altogether made him a great advocate. His selection by President Polk as Attorney General is ade quate proof, if any were needed, of his es tablished reputation. He was profound, both! in the knowledge of the law as a sci ence, and in its application to the solution of disputes among men. His practice before the Supreme Court of the United States was always considerable. On one occasion he took exception to the argument of Attorney General Jerry S. Black before that court when the case of the "New Almaden Quick silver Mine Case was up, and challenged him. Nothing came of it, but it is said that he acquired an interest in that mine as a fee
which he sold for $500,000. He was al ways a great speculator. He died in Washington in 1869, some what broken in fortune. His country's in ternal strife had thoroughly wrecked his political fortunes. A leading Democrat with somewhat despotic power for many years, he abandoned his own party and was aban doned by it. He supported Mr. Lincoln at the time of his re-election for his country's good as he saw it, but he never espoused nor endorsed the leading tenets of the Republi can party, and disowned allegiance to it. Amidst the warring elements of partizan strife he was a stranger in a strange land, and so he died. His memory has never been cherished as his works deserve. The chil dren of the State which so honored him, and which he so honored, barely know his name. His fame will be fairer when all trace of war memories is gone, and when his deeds are viewed in the dry light of history.
THE LAW STUDENT'S DREAM. By C. H. D. Audita Querela, a gay Spanish maiden, To young Scire Facias quite lost her heart; Said she : 'Tho' you're poor, you may habeas corpus, I am yours in fee simple till death doth us part." But her uncle, gruff Venire Facias de Xovo, To love's ardent pleading made haste to demur; He said 'twas a case of mis joinder of parties, That none but a noble could ever have her. Qua re cjecit the youth from the freehold, Vi ct armis he kicked him the length of the hall : He did not have time to replevy his top coat, Nor could he rcspondcat ouster at all. Hut true love He met her As demandants As tenant he
can never be barred or non-suited, per noctc at de Novo's place: her lips did not traverse his kisses, held her in loving embrace.
