Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-10-05
From he Newburyport Herald,
THE LATE MR.. DENNIE.

THE LATE MR.. DENNiE.
II is well remembered that the late Mr..
Dennie, long known to the world as man
of elegant requirements and superior gc-
Mus, and for many years editor OF the Port
Folio, PHILADELPHIA, was educated for the
law, and that he entered upon his proies-
sion with high hopes and great advantages.
From an article in late n f. Galaxy, we
extract the following account OF his quarrel
with his profession, whichis exactly charac-
terstic of the man.
| well recollect that soon after he had
terminated his noviciate, he was admitted
to the oath of an attorney and had opened
an office. Izyas present at has debut as ad-
vocate at The bar. No young lawyer ever
entered on practice with more favorable
auspices. The senior members OF the bar
augured his success, and he numbered all
who were valuable among the Jurors as par
ticular friends As il was generally known
when he was to deliver his maiden speech
by kind OF taCit agreement the gentlemen
of the bar resolved TO afford him the most
favorable arena for the display OF his eo-
quence. The opposing counsel had enga-
ged TO suspend all interference, although
his statements deyiated ever so tar from
fact.
Mr. Dcnnie had been engaged on behalf
of the defendant to support motion for an
Importance OF continuance in an acti n hro't
by certain plaintiffs Tor the recovery CT the
contents of promissOry note. The execu-
ton of the note could not be contested, IL
was given for valuable consideration, and
was Justly due. A very liberal indulgence
had already been extended 10 the defen
dant by several previous tnparlances, and
nothing remained Tor the most ddroit advo-
cate 10 press upon the court but the unto
ward effe cts a judgment and consequent
writ OF execution, would have upon the for
tunes OF his client.
The court opened, and, as it by previous
concert, all other business was suspended,
ana our young advocate, after bowling grace
fully, assumed the attitude OF an orator, and
addressed the court
| wish Couid transcribe this address,
Twenty years have elapsed, and ] remem-
Der il as an original pic are OF Claude Lo-
possess the talents of the mGtchlIS9 artist.
The writer then describes the speech as
long, eloquent and affecting picture OF
the defendants suttcrings in the service OF
his country, and OF the peculiar situation OF
his pecuniary circumstances which entitled
him to continuance.
The orator ceased-mute attention ac-
companied the delivery. and at the close
all were charmed and all silent even the
opposing counsel sat hesita.ing betwixt his
fees and his feelings, and forebore 10 reply.
This silence. which our young advocate
seemed 10 notice with peculiar complacen-
cy, was broken from the bench. The Judge,
an unlettered farmer, who by the preya-
leace VI party, had obtained the summit OF
woman ambition, seat on the bench OF an
inferior court, who knew only the technical
iargon of the court, and to whom the Ian
suage and ba,hos of Dennie were alike nn-
intelligrhle, sat during the delivery OF the
address rolling pair OF " lack lustre eyes
with vacant stare, sometimes at the orator
and then at the bar as if seeking most Gu
riously for meaning, and who was perhaps
only restrained BY the respectful attention
of the latter from interrupting the speaker.
The judge broke silence.
Judge. confess that | am in rather
kind OF quandary. | profess am some
what dubus, cant say know Tor sarlin
5rkat The young gentleman svoutd be al.
CounseIiorV. My brother DennIe, may
it please your honour, has been enforcing
his motion for an Importance on the part OF
the defendant, in the case OF Patrick Nc
Grippini.w ct aiI plaintiffs, VS.. Noadiah
Chu5ber.
Judge. Oh! Aye! now believe | un-
derstand-the young man wants the cause
10 be hung up for The merit term, duz he?
Counsellor =. Yes, may il please the
court.
Judge. Well, well, ifthat's all he wants,
why couldn't he say so in few words, pat
TO the purpose, without allthis larry cum
larry?