Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-04-20

moments he spoke hurriedly, and seemed
confused; atlength he became more animated
and poured forth strain of such rich and
powerful eloquence that il parayzed with as
tonishment all who heard him. With a
quickness OF perception egualled only 10y his
depth OF thought and inexhauslible fund OF
research, he unravelled every part, settled
every doubt, and left the impression that no
in!ricacy in the astlabyrinih oflaw--uo flaw
mo sbadow of doubt was left TO the advan-
tage of his opponent. His ears were deafened
10y the cheers oi the assembled crowd that
long and loudly pealed through the air. A
| gam all was silent; again The mellow rich
ness of his voice sounded like music TO the
ear-another powerful burst of eloquenCe
| accompanied with that splendind depth OF
! thought that for one so young show ed the
6Illllancy Of his intellect, burst from his lips;
that burst again called forth another volley
OF cheers and applause which Numbered
through the court. Darnley again proceed
ed, and amid the incessant clamours of his
auditors, brought t. close one of the most
| splendid Arguments ever offered 10 u jury.
lie wiped The moisture from his brow, and
with bis head resting on his hand, seemed
| trying 10 gain that Composure, that his great
effort had exhausted. When he concluded
the slightest whisper might have been audi
bly, heard throughout the apartment; so COM
plelely had he wound up the minds of his
hearers that for moment they did not seem TO
know that he had ceased and when they
| saw he had sunk into his chair, a simultane
Gus shout OF the most dealening applause fol-
lowed The solemn silence that had mumenta-
riiy reigned.
Lord - now rose. Darnley's eyes
were riveited upon him. His hig forehead,
his quick eye, spoke of an intellect within
and II his features made that impression, full
ly did his cool calm, argumenIaIive and pur-
suasiye manner cOrroborate il. lie COM
menced his defence, ana so ingeniousiy did
that experienced aud willy counsellor reiule
the most clear and simple iacis, and render
| them perfectly submissive 10 his will, and
that the same minute before had listened 10
the powerful effort Of Darnley, aud applaud
ed aud believed him, now, through the sub
ileIy of IA pracliced lawyer, changed the cur
rent OF their thoughts, and IavIshed upon him
their applause. w ilh look neither oipity
nor contempt, but one nearly allied 10 both,
did he rest his eyes upon Darnley, and turn
into ridcule his splendid talents. lie spoke
OF 'schoolboy eloGuence,' acquired know
] ledge, and with placid smile diffused over
his countenance, he told the jury that for "a
| boy, his 'oration' was agood one, but that
the few points in the case he had alluded 10
we're entirely misConceived and SO COM
pletely did he change the aspect OF affairs.
that the jury, without leaving their seats,
gave their verdict in his favor. This was
unexpected blow TO poor Darniey. He had
placed such firm reliance on his cause, that
although he had listened TO the sarcastic
speech of his opponent, he had not once
dreamed of defeat Months Of incessant toll,
his sleepless nights were spenl in vain, trying
TO render every point familiar but he never
thought that willy artifice and ing enious trio
kerry could have so glaringly stood against
truth.
| 'On what slender thread hangs every thing
in life y
Darnley returned home. His lonely wife
tried TO soothe his agitated mind he repuls-
ed her from him. His aim had been ambi
tion-his ambition was blasted From that
moment he was an altered man. Before, the
quiet firesfsfe of domestic life, the society Of
his angelic wife, was blessing that he CLOS
gied in enjoying now even they had los;
their charm and to quell his burst of griel
and disappointment, he sought the company
of the dissolue and depraved
Why dwell on the black scenes that
brought his lite TO premature end? He
squandered his wealth al the gaming table,
and wasted his life in shame. His profession
wa5 forgotten, his energies were Frustrated,
his tender wife spurned from his side-but
stop they are dead One grave contained
them both. His epitaph is AMBIT1oN.-
NelD York Messenger.