The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-11-12
c. a3EftE>
FRIDAY, NOYEMBER 8, 1892.

FhIDdf, NV E.HBER 3, 1922.
Ertract from sketch of The character of Mr..
PLUSKET, eminent Irish arrisfer, IN he
.Ncac Monthly Magazine.
Mr.. PIunket has for some years past confined
himself TO the Court of Chancery, where he holds
the same pre-eminence that our RomIy did in
this country. Of all the eminent lawyers have
heard, be seemed to me to be the most admira-
bly, qualified for the department ofhis profession
in which he shines. His mind il at once subtle
and comprehensive his language clear, copi-
Gus and condensed: his powers Of reasoning are
altogether wonderful. Give him the most COM
piicsted and doubtful case to support-with an
array Of apparently hostile decisions TO oppose
him at every step-the previous discussion of the
question has probably satisfied you that the ar
guments OF his antagonists neither to be an.
swered nor evaded-they have fenced round the
rights Of their clients with all the great names
In equity-Hardwicke, Camden, Thurlow, FL
don - Mr. Plunket rises you are deeply al.
tentive, rather from curiosity 70 witness dis
play Of hopeless dexterity, than from any un-
certainty about the event. He commences by
some general undisputed principle Of law, that
seems perhaps at the first view not to bear the
remotest relation TO the matter in controversy
but to this be appends another and another, IN
til. by regular series of connected propositions.
he brings it down to the very point before the
court; and'nsists. nay dsmonktrates, that the
court cannot decide against him without viola
ting one of its own most venerated maxims.
Nothing can be more mastery than the man
ner in which all this is done. There is no osten-
tation Of ingenuity and research. Every thing
IS clear, simple, and familiar: you assent with
out struggle to each separate conclusion. 1t is
only when you are brought to the ultimate re-
suit, that you startle at discovering the consum-
mate skill ofthe logician, who, by willy and i'm
perceptible approaches, has gained vantage
point, from which he can descend upon bis ad-
yersaries, and compel them to abandon posi-.
ton that was deemed impregnabIe
Mr.. Plunket is not said TO be profound law
yer: ne cites fewer cases than any other counsel
at the Irish bar and on common occasions fire.
quently contents himself with merely comment
ing upon those adduced against him. His SUI
pTemacy Is altogether intellectual. He leaves
TO others the technical drudgery Of wading
through tones and indexes in search of legal
saws and " modern instances.n The moment
question is submitted to him, his mind intui-
lively applies all the great principles that are
favourable or hostile these he has firmly fixed
and scientifically arranged In bis memory; and
so far he may be said to be never unprepared.
This, though an imperfect sketch, will convey
some general ideas Of this eminent advocate.
But there is one peculiarly in hi, powers, which
to be adequately comprehended must be actu-
ally witnessed. allude to his capacity lin
whichhe exceeds every public speaker ever
heard) of pouring ont, would almost say indef
nitely, continuous unremitted volume OF
thought and language. Ia this respect, | look
upon Mr. Plunket's goirg through long and i'm
portant argument in the court of chancery, to be
most extraordinary exhibition Of human intel
lect. For hours he will 60 on and on, with un-
weared rapidity, arguing, defining, illustrating,
separating intricate facts, laying down subtle
distinctions, prostrating objection here, poun-
cling upon fallacy there, then retracing his
steps. and restating in some original point Of
view his general position then flying off again
to the outskirts Of the question, and dealing his
desultory blows with merciless reiteration wher-
ever an inch Of ground remains to be cleared
and during the whole of this, not only does not
y A.ox A.
does not even pause for second for topic, an
idea, or an expression This velocity Of creation.
arrangement, and delivery, is quite astonishing
and what adds to your wonder is, that il an
pears to be achieved without an effort Mass af-
ter mass of argument is thrown off conveyed in
phrsseoiosy vigorous, appropriate, and succinct,
while the speaker, az it the mere minister and
organ Of come hidden power, ,hs; saves him the