The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-01-30
From the Boston Daily advertiser.
THE LATE JUDGE HOWE.

Judge Howe was the son of the late DIR.
Estes Howe, of Belchertown, in the County
of Hampshire. He received his classical
education at Williams College, were he
graduated in 1904, and prosecuted his legal
studies principally at the Law School in
Litchfeld. For short time, he was in the
Office of the late Judge Sedgwick, of Stock
bridge, in which town he commenced the
practice of law. From Stockbridge he re-
moved to Worthngton, where he soon be-
came distinguished in his profession He
resided there until 1920, when he removed
to Northampton. On the new organization
of the Court of Common Pleas, in 1921 the
liberal provisions of the Legislature enabled
the Executive to secure the service of gen
tlemen of the highest legal eminence on that
bench, and Mr.. Howe was appointed one of
its Judges. His judicial duties, and very
strong taste for professional studies, qualif-
ed him, in an eminent degree, as a legal in
structor, and in 1923 he associated himself
with the Hon. E. II. Mills, in the establish
ment of the law school at Northampton, the
advantages Of which have beeu attested by
the proficiency of the pupils whom it has
INTRODUCED into the Courts. Judge Howe
was extensively known and highly esteem
ed; and the whole public, and particularly
the members of the Massachusetts bar, will
lament that he was arrested at an early
stage of that career Of extending fame, and
increasing usefulness, Of which he gave so
much promise. His genius was not a flick
ering flame, sometimes Glazing brightly, and
then sinking almost to extinction. 1t was
constant and clear light.
His emlnence was not the result Of adj
.Ventitious circumstances, or fortunate posi-
ton. So far as may be said ofany man, he
formed his own character, and provided his
own station. He was not supported by
health and buoyant spirits, but maintained
q constant struggle against the enteebllng
influence ola delicate and morbid constltu
ton. With the warmest affections, he had
cool and serene temper. In his profession
he was deeply and extensively learned, yet
he was no higot in his learning. AS law
yer he knew that authority must and would
be respected, and as Judge he felt that he
was bound to expound and not to legislate.
Still his whole character and spirits were
of the most liberal cast. Such mind could
not be bound in letters, imposed by past
ages. SO far as he legitmately might exer-
ercise his own judgment, his efforts tended
to enlarge and liheralize the principles Of
jurisprudence, and to adapt them to the new
wants, varying circumstances, and increas-
ing illumination of the age. He respected
authority and forms; but he loved knowl-
edge and venerated Justice. His eXtraordi-
nary acquaintance with legal principles and
decisions was the result of long and severe
study, and was continually renewed and
frightened by habits of teaching. This
gave great perspicuity to his mind, and
promptness to his decisions.
10,
moulded. Though prompt and firm, he was
cautious and prudent. He was admirably
adapted to his station; and it is not perhaps
too much to say, that there is scarcely any
man in the community on whom more conf
dence was for the present reposed, or from
whom more was hoped for the future.
The mind ofJudge Howe was not narrow
ed by his profession. He was a man of vari-
Gus knowledge, we'll acquainted with the
subjects most interesting to the community
To such subjects he gave so much atten-
ton as was due to the claims of society, and
as was requisite to refresh and invigorate
his own mind.
He knew well that intellectual eminence,
unlike superiority in mechanical pursuits,
required not confinement to single line Of
effort but expansion and varied exercise.
he never suffered any objects foreign to his
profession, however attractive or useful in
themselves, to interfere with the duties of
his station.
He was eminently religious man. His
religion formed no separate part of his
character, but was diffused through and tenn
pered the whole of it. 1t was not thing
of profession or party, much less of fanati-
cism, but adapted and practised from cool
elaboration, as the greatest interest and
highest duty of human nature. 1t consist
ed in good will and kind Offices to man, and
in love and veneration to God.
This man, so conspicuous for virtue and
intellect, died as he lived, in the full exer-
else of both. His physical constitution was
probably exhausted and overthrown by too
great devotion to his duties. His health
rapidly declined, and he fell into a state in
which he had no power of speech, and APP
parently little ofattention. But such spirit
was not suffered thus to depart. few
hours before his death he was excited to
animation-the clouds and mist rolled away,
aud his spirit burst forth in pure and glori-
ous effulgence. He prayed for strength of
reason and utterance, and his PRAYER was
granted.
His friends will remember, but we will
not describe the closing scene. 1t was not
flash of illumination. contrasting with the
darkness of preceding life, but the brilliant
setting of that light which has illumined his
whole life. His hope was changed into
confidence founded on a well spent life, in
the mercy of his Judge.
800
EARTHQUAKE AT BoGoTA. In the Chris
tan Advocate, is letter from gentleman
at Bogota, from which we extract the fol-