Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-03-20
THE LATE WILLIAM WRIT.
FRO. rWE rurL.prLruiA SENTINEL.

rRon TUE rHrLADrLruiA sksrINkL
We had. lately. to record the death
OF this venerable orator. at Washing
ton, where he had been in attendance
and professional employment at the Su-
preme Court.
Wr. WInT was born at Blsdensburg,
Maryland. on tho 9Th Of November.
l772; and was the youngest Of 6 chill
dren. His father IA SWISS died while
William was an infant; and his mother
"a Germany when he was 8 years old.
Being an orphan, he was received into
the family Of his uncle, who with his
wife, was also native Of Switzerland
Tie appears to have been kindly treat
ed and encouraged by his aunt, Who,
discovering his talents, had him con
tinued at the Grammar School kept nj
Georgetown, in despite Of the pittance
left for his education by his parents.
Here was also educated Ricn'D BR,xr.
late a member Of Congress from Vir-
gina. WHIT was thence removed to
a classic school in Charles county, Md.
kept by Hatch Dent. in the vestry-
house of Newport Church, " here AK
AMBER CAMPBELL, Of Virginia, was ed
catcd-of whom Mr.. Writ subsequent
iy said, ''some Of the most beautiful
touches OF eloquenee have ever heard,
were echoes from Campbell. which
reached ~ IN our mountains"
From Dents school, Writ lin hi.
lth year, removed to that kept BY
the Rev. James Hunt, . Presby teriAn
clergyman in Montgomery county, siJ +.
of whose Kindness, learning, and al
iabiiity. his pupil ever retained n CRATE
tul remembrance. Writ had free &C.
cess to the library Of his tutor, Of which
he made free use. Having read that
Pope constructed sentences and stan
zas at ls years Of age. Writ became
q" emulous TO rival him, as Pope him.
self had similarly been s,imuisted to
rival Cowley. A poetical effort was
his hrst attempt-But an incident oe.
curing whereby he became embittsred
against the usher of the school, who
bad unjustly ehastised his pupil-the
latter. to be revenged, wrote an essay
on Anger, which u sch0olmate recited
as scholastic exercise, to the amuse-
ment Of the scholars and the master,
but to the annoyance of the usher
This pedant having left the school i'm. .
medIateiy afterward, ~ as subsequently
involved in difficulties, from which
Writ partly extricsted him.
While Writ was at the school Of Mr..
Hunt, a circumstance occurred which
controlled his destiny. Writ, with his
schoolmates, was permitted occasion.
ally to attend and hear the pleading.
at the Montgomery Court House.
Writ became so fascinated with the ell
oquence displayed-partieularIy by a
Young gentleman, since we'll known as
William III. Dorsey-that he suggest
cd TO his school fellows to have q iuvs.
nile court OF their own of which he
prepared = constitution and q BODY of
laws, prefacing them in his report by
an apologize letter for himself. Ia
this Lllliputian Court, he shone "proud
" eminent"
When Writ arrived at his fifteenth
year, hr. Hunt died. lie was subse-
quently compelled from his straiten
ed circumstance to Idle an interval
at bladensburg, tIll u late school mate
OF his (NInIan Edwards, since Cover
nor OF Illinois, showed the letter and
to his father. lie wasin
dueed by Judge Benjamin Edwards TO
act As tutor to his family. La youth
particularly
teaching teaches,
And 10y giving We retain.
Writ promptly accepted the offer, and
received from the father more instruc.
lion than he gave to his son. Under
Judge Edwards, Writ laid the founda.
lion OF his knowledge Of law But hav.
ng formed an unhappy attachment,
with lady in the neiEhborhood, who
i'd not participate his lsve, il filled his
'oui, tired his muse, and fretted his (
constitution. Being advised, he there.
ore travelled South, to Augusta, in I
georgia, to restore his health and spi. I
Its.
On his return, he studied law under
|" illlam Hunt, the son Of las old pre-
ePior; aud afterwards under Mr..
Thomas Swami, ~ the District Of Co.
umb'ss where ne was admitted 20 the
'Ar IN 1892. Immediately after his
aIssiOn, he removed TO Culpe ppcr
court House, in Virginia, aud com
neneed his practice, when 20 years Of
&c.
The first case in which he vas en-
ased vas divided with him by = bro.
her dePutant. IL arose from assault
nd battery, by three persons, two Of
'hom bad been By wits liberated; hot
be third was continued ~ prison, be
ause taken immediately IN eprcut,on.