The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-03-13

THE LATE HON. NATHANIEL sEAhLE'
The following notice of our late distn-
guished fellow citizen, NATHANIEL SEARLE,
is copied from the National Intelligencer, of
Feb. a., and is said to be from the pen os
J. Story, than whom perhaps no man more
highly appreciated the commanding talents
Of the diseased or better understood his
re.emineDt worth.-Prov. Herald.
Few men have attained higher reputa.
ton in the profession of the law, and none
have better deserved it. In a State Bar,
composed OF lawyers cenfesscdly of great
accuteness, learning and ability, he held a
rare and envable rank. If he was not enti-
tied to be deemed among his competitors,
(aciie princeps, no one will deny that he had
no superior. His learning was copious and
exact: his genius uncommonly subtle, vigo.
rous, and discriminating; his judgment sound
and solid; and his elocution rapid, clear, flu
ent, almost beyond example. To these he
united an unconquerable love Of his profess
ion, and devotion and industry in the pur.
suit Of IT, which were at once the presage
and the security of excellence. He was e.
qually remarkable for depth and vivacity Of
thought-for flashes Of wit, pointed sarcasm
and easy pleasantly. which seemed like
spontaneous combustion Of the mind, rather
than an effort Of display. They came un-
hidden, and were dismissed without regret
by the author, while they captivated bis
audience. But there were qualities in his
professional character Of higher and better
reach than these. lie studiously cultivated
deep sense Of the moral obligations Of an
advocate. His candor, courtesy, and strict
integrity, won for him the courtesy Of the
bar, and the general confidence of the com.
munty. One may say Of him, as was said
Of Lord Chief Justice Bridgman, ''that he
always argued like a-lawyer and a gentle
man." His addresses to the jury were al.
ways earnest and eloquent, plain but forci.
BILE, and occasionally rose to extraordinary
felicity and compass, both Of thought and
expression. He had a keen insight into hu.
man nature, and readily developed its com.
plex movements and inconsistencies; and
hence in the examination and reconcilement
of testimony, he displayed an ingenuity
which always instructed, and often convin.
ced his hearers His arguments to tho court
upon principles of law, were characterized
by breyty, (no small virtue in our day. ex-
act learning and close reasoning. He reach
ed the fit conclusion by a surprisingly quick
process, and detained others no longer than
was necessary to open to them the same
path. In short, as lawyer he acquired
just celebrity oy course of laborious dill
gence' fidelity, and honorable ambition. In
private life, he was frank, generous, and dis.
interested, attracting universal esteem, and
enjoying many friendships. The loss Of such
a man at any time is great calamity, for it
creates void in society, as well as profess
ional life, which cannot be easily filled. 1t
must be felt by all who value talents and vir.
tue, for the common doom teaches a com.
mon sympathy. But beyond the circle of
his immediate friends and relatives, it is
mourned by no one more sincerely than by
the writer Of this humble tribute, who has
long been witness of his professional hon.
ors, and who now cherisbes his memory
with fond but unavailing regret. 3.