Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-05-26
FROM THE TAUNTON FREE PRESS.

CHIEF JUSTICE PARSONS.
The science of Law is Indebted 10 no
man in the United States more than to
the late Chief Justice Parsons of Mas
sachusetts. He was patient and fond
OF labor; and his mind was capable of
retaining and arranging all the acquisi-
lions of industry. 10 his legal research
es he had gone back to the fountains of
the common Law and traced lis progress
in all its variety OF ramihcatons to the
time in which he lived. In his life he
was regarded as pre-eminent among all
his competitors and the learning W hich
he embodied and left behind him is fond
ly esteemed as a rich legacy from
great benetactor of mankind.
He was not however merely Law
yer. He was distinguished for wide and
deep surveys into the fields Of general
science and literature; and professors of
all branches found in Parsons compan-
ion who had learned the same lessons
and sympathized with them in congen-
ial'labours.
With all his mighty requirements, he
had none OF the moroseness Of the clois-
tered scholar. His wit was equal to his
learning, and the scintilIations of the one
and the radiance OF the other, beamed
and sparkled in all his communions with
men. He appealed with equal felicity
10 the fancy, the understanding, and
the heart. Many who had listened to
his terse and powerful arguments have
telt how strong ly he could awaken pas
sion or excite emotions of the most pa
ihetlc tenderness: and all who have en-
joyed the good fortune to be with him.
will remember the continual amusement
which the exercise of his lighter pow
ers occasioned. Anecdotes crowd upon
US at the recollection of his name. A
few years since when the gun boat
system was in fashion, and admired by
Republicans, and scorned by Federalists.
Judge Parsons held a courtin one of our
western counties. A Republican coun-
seiIor was urging the right of widows
to be endowed of uncultivated wood and
forest lands, and among other things
said in the quaint language of our law
books, they were entitled to such lands
for fire bote and plough bote "Yes yes,n
said Parsons with significant pleasantly,
"Pi0Hsh 6ote and fire bote if you please,
but no GUN BOAT"
A gentleman once asked him the def
tinition of Keeihale He instantly re-
Piled, sit is undergoing a great hard
ship"
Another auecaote illustrates his char
acter. Both in thought and language
it is sublime. A gentleman had been
concerned in duel. The ball of his
antagonist struck his watch and remain
ed there, 1t thus saved his life. The
watch was subsequently exhibited with
the ball remaining in it, in company
where Judge Parsons was present. ii
was observed by several that it was TO
the owner valuable watch. eyes said
Parsons, very excellent: ithas kept TINE
from ETERNITY"
We do not intend to sketch the char
acter Of Parsons. That task belongs TO
ADLER hands. These suggestions occur
red 10 US from hearing report that a
gentleman well qualified for that en-
gagemeut, and intimately allied to The
late Chief Justice, is collecting materi-
ais for his biography. 1t would be IA
most interesting work, and we hope
those labors will not be suffered to
langush nor TO be disturbed by other
avocations. Whoever shall give TO the
public full and sufficient biography
of Parsons, will confer favour long
to be remembered, and will embalm
his own with the name of the 6 ilIustri-
Gus dead"
Effects OF FEAR.-In The time'of the
American revolutionary war, while the
army was encamped at West Point.
party of soldiers discovered an eagles
nest, half way down precipice, ada
cent.to the fort. To get at the nest, a
soldier was let down by rope fastened
around his mi6dle.--When he had de-
seconded near to the nest, the eagle came
upon him with hideous screams. aiming
at his head: he had no means of dc.
Tending himself but by taking out his
knife, with which he kept her off by
striking at her. In one of the passes
he made at her, he had the misfortune
to strike the rope, and cut one of the
strands entirely of, the other strand be-
gan to be untwisted, while his eomnan-
ions drew him up as soon as possible
in this situation ne expected the rope
every moment TO part, when he must
have fallen from The tremendous height
among the rocks; but he was drawn I'd