Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-12-15
THOMAS Adds EMMETT.

Tho respect which VIC have always enter
tanned, for the private and political character
of Thomas Adds Emmett, influences us to pub
lish the following very eloquent, and brief
sketch Of his life, which is copied from tho
New-York Statesman:
Mr.. EMMET commenced his career at the
bar in New-York in 1905, and soon rose to
cminencc IN his profession. AS a sound law
yer and an able advocate, he acquired indeed
great and mcrited celebrity. HIS integrity Of
heart and irreproac enable morals, his pact mis-
fortunes, his retired and studious habits. his
frankncss of mind and his unaffected simplici-
ty Of manners, secured him universal respect;
while his various talents, his professional nb.li-
ties, and his splendid c.o1ncncc rendered him
ut once the pralo and ornament of the bar.
HIS name and character seemed to be aseo-
ciatcd ~iih IDEAS of an elevated and reflective
cast; with patriotism and moral courar re, with
dignity Of mind and rcctnude of purpLse; with
the 2 lis and disPcnsa,ions Of providence, tho
vicissitidcs Of life, and the instabilit;cs Of for-
tune. Ito was an exile. expatriatcd but. not
d.sgiaccd, depressed but not broken; vencra-
bic IN ago, illus'rious IN adversely. lie was in
dependent, indeed, bu, his independence was
held BY the painful tenure Of incessant laborr
and umrnmitlcd ~cxcriion. lie was ambitious
too; hut his ambition was virtue, and its oh
Jcct, the fame Of excellence.
HIS frame was bowed by the pressure Of
years; but his spirit was erect The lus,re Of
his eye was lost and its vision impaired; hut
the light within bcamct undiminishcd. lis
inlirmi,ics were indeed apparent but they wcro
those Oi The body, not Of the mind. 1 seldom
saw him without rcvert:ng in imaginat ton to
the melancholy fate and heroic character Of
his %brothcr; and never listened TO him without
calling to m,nd The genius, the cloqucn,e g, and
the suncrinss of iceland.
lie came into The profession IN the maturit,
Of age and the fuIness Of his powers, with a
mind cor'-.sant with its duties and its princi-
piles, but unwarped by its sub,lctics and unsul-
lied by its collisions. lie had no ineipicnt, no
probationary grade; but over all tina, was lit
tie or dcrogatory, he rose at once and pla ced
himself beside tho ablest and the most eminent.
Nor was he mistaken IN The estimate Of his
powers. Yet he relied not upon that rare. and
too often imaginary gdn of intuit on: nor did no
depend exclusively upon a more certain re-
source, The abundance and variety of his prc-
vious requirements. His confidence rested
upon his ability To investigate and his power 10
comprehend.
To n sound understanding, cultivated bv
liberal studies and improved by experience, ho
added the mos; laborious diligence and perre.
vcfing rcscurch. 10 every important cause.
therefore, in which he was engaged, he brought
a mine familiar with every principle applica-
bio to its nature, and prepared with every ar-
gumcnt that could illustrate its merits.
His manner Of speaking was original and
peculiarly impressive. II was solemn and o,n-
Pha'ic, beyond any example in forensic clo-
qucnrc. Ills age, his person, his voice, even
the impciicction Of his accent, conspired In
render him ono Of tho most interesting speak
efs at the bar.
But of the style Of his olocution, I despair OF
giving any adequate idea. II is as difficult 10
describe. as it would have beer to excel. Ills
cnunciaiion was deliberate and di.tinct; his
air solemn and ida cite. His emphasis was
peculiarly strong, and HE gosiiculation bold
and vehement. lie possessed great compos
Of Voice and induigcd in unusual transitions -
descending At limos, with great cilcct, from tho