Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-06-13

verdict; he also published an affidavit, posi-
tiyelv denying every material fact in the accu-
satin He might have gone farther. and have
truly sworn that the accusation was never
made until after the supposed accuser was in
his grave. have conversed with several who
were present at the trial, one or two of them
friends and admirers OF Emmett they all SOL
einnly assured me, that not a syllable escaped
his lips bearing the remotcst allusion TO the
charge and the omission in Mr.. Plunkett's
affidavit Of this conclusive circumstance, was
pointed out to me as a singular absence Of sa-
gacity in man so notoriously sharp-sighted
where the concerns ofothers are confded to
his care. l should not have dwelt thus long
upon this transa ction, were it not that "Mr.
Plunkett's conduct to Robert Emmet" is, 10
this day, frequently adverted to, by persons
acquainted with the particulars, as an indelible
blemish upon his reputation.
Mr.. Plunkett was made solicitor general in
1903, and attorney general and privy counsel
lor in 1905. He retained his place when the
Wings came into office, in 1906 / believe
at this was the commencement Of his con-
nexion with Lord Grenville, to whose party he
has since adhered. After the death of Mr..
Fox, it was intimated to him that the new ad-
ninistration had no intention Of superseding
him, but he preferred to follow the fortunes Of
has sat in the Imperial Parliament, as men,
Der for the University of Dublin.
Mr.. Plunkett has for some years past con-
fined himself to the Court of Chancery, where
he holds the same pre-cminence that Romilly
did in England. OF all the eminent lawyers I
have heard, he scenes TO me the most admir-
ably qualified for the department Of his profess
sion, in which he shines. His mind is at once
subtle and comprehensive his language clear,
copious and condensed his powers of reason
ing are altogether wonderful. Give him the
most complicated and doubtful case TO support,
with an array of apparently hostile decisions
to oppose him at every step--the previous dis
cusslon of the question has probably satisfied
you that the arguments of his antagonists are
neither to be answered nor evaded-they have
fenced round the rights Of their clients with all
the great names in the equty-Hardwicke
Camden, Thurlow, ElGon Mr.. Plunkott ris-
cs you are deeply attentive, rather from Gu
rosity to witness display of hopeless dexter
ity, than from any uncertainty 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 he ap-
pends another and another, until, by regular
series of connected propositions, he brings it
down to the very point before the court /: and
insists, nay demonstrates that the court can
not decide against him without violating one
fits own most venerated maxims Nothing
can be more mastery than the manner in
which all this is done. There is no ostentaton
OF ingenuity and research. Every thing is
clear, simple and familiar you assent with
out a struggle to each separate conclusion. It
rs only when you are brought to the ultimate
result that you startle at discovering the con-
en nta l. lncx h. 4
lmperceptible approa ches, has gained a van
tage po Mt from which he can descend upon his
adversaries, and compel them to abandon a
pos 4 OH that was deemed impregnable. But
Lords Hardwicke, Thurlow, Camden, &c. are
SAID TO be against him. The advocate acCor-
dpgly proceeds to examine each Of these au-
thoritles IN detail-he analyses their language
ny distinctions that seem natural and obvious,
but winch IN reality are most subtle, he shews
how capable 1t is of various interpretations
he conironts the construction contended for,
by conflicting decisions of the same Judge on
other and similar occasions--he points out un-
suspected anomalies that would arise from
adopting the Interpretation of his adversaries,
ma equally unsupported accordance with gen. |
'ral principles that would follow his own. He |
nus goes on, until by reiterated processes of |
natchless sagacity, he has either neutralncd
\
al the authorities upon which his opponents
most firmly relied; and he sits down, leaving
he court, If not a convert to his opinion, at
east grlevously perplexed to detect and explain
he fallacies upon which I rests.
Mr.. Plunkett is not said to he profound law
yer; he cites fewer cases than any other coun-
sci at the Irish Bar; and on common occasions
frequently contents himself with merely COM
nentng upon those adduccd against them
His supremacy is altogether intellectual. He
caves to others the technical drudgery Of wa
ling through tones and indexes IL: search of le-
gal saws ana "modern indexes" the moment
question is submitted to him, his mind intui- !
lively applies all the great principles that are
avorabe or hostile; these he has firmly fixed
md scientifically arranged in his memory; and
% far may he be said to be never unprepared.
Cor the rest he depends upon the resources Of
! talent that never fails him-upon his resist
css vIgor, where he is right and sincere upon
us extcmporaneous power Of going through
he most intricate processes Of thought with
III the ease and familiarity Of ordinary dis
curse: and most Of llupon a rapid apprehen-
Ion, ~ h!ch grasps and secures the en- iro ground
{ any proposition Of which single particle
lay chance to fit across his mind-a perfec- :
on Of faculty that enables him to draw the |,
lost unexpected conclusions from the topics
dduccd against him; and thus to render all | I
nc industry of his antagonists, subservient 20 {
is own occasions.
WILLIAM PITT. L