Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-05-24

| Sn"uoh, thh Mi Writ would have surpassed cit G
81 ,hem "a general effect. MIR WITS gesture, too
| ,"I' OF "h'eh the Grecian thought 80 much, wer
| w keeping with his other eNcclleneies The aul
i vas, that they were Sunderland yet the art wit
~hca lac concealed his art, was consummate
| detected.
For long time, Mr. wnts chief opponent at IN
Baltimore bar was MIR fancy, the present Che
Justice of the United States. MIR Taney removes
to Baltimore from Frederick, on the death Of NJ
f'nekney, and there MIR Writ and himself were III
great forensic rivals. No two men of the same pro
eSs'on could be more different in their intelleeu,
CUTS than were these gentlemen. They were us un
INC IN lhcsc regards MS they in their persona
appearance. Mr. fancy was then slim TO feeble
ness lhe looks now improved in healthy he stoop
CO, ana MS voice was weak, and such was the pr c
eauous condition OF his health that he had to station
h'msei. immediately before and near the Jury I,
make himself heard by them. Mr. Writ always
placed himself on the side OF the trial table oppos,t,
inc Jury m oratoueal position. MIR Tsney's man
ner OF speaking was slow and 6rm-neyer using IN,
least rhetorical ornament, but pressing into the hea
OF the case with powerful arguments, like a grea
leader, with unbroken phalanx into the heart of A
besesed city. HIS style was plain, unadorned, and
80 Iofc,Sie and direct that might be called palpa
pc WIN his snuff box-for the Chief Justice
then, too, used snuff-compressed in his closed
hahus, ne reasoned for hours without the least Mt.
tempt at wit OF eloquence. And vet, at times. he
was truly eloquent from his deep, vet Subdued ear.
hesness, IN question OF hail in the case of a
youih who had shot at his teacher, | remember.
though then youthful student, that crowded au
uitofy were sufiused in Ii was the fervor OF
ms own feelings speaking right out that made him
e,oquent lie did not appear to know that he was
eloquent himself. Ii an inspiration hich came
10 him u II came at all, unbidden-and which would
no more answer TO his call than q lendowets
Spirits nom the Vastly deer"
One OF the most interesting cases ever witnessed
NJ 'he baltimore bar, was n trial in a Mandamus
case, IN which the right to church was contested
Mr; Duncan had been established in the ministry
IN Baltimore by number ofScotch Presbyterians,
IN an obscure edihce. His talents drew such con.
gresaton mat IT soon became necessary to build n
larger one. IL was done; and in the progress of
events the pastor preached n more liberal doctrine
than he had at firsi nculcsed. His early support
ers remained not only unchanged in their faith but
they resolved TO have II preached to them by one
win whom they could entirely agree upon religious
matters. The majority Of the congregation agreed
with Mr.. Duncan. a deep schsm arose in the al.
''ded flock which could not be healed, and which
was eventually, by writ Of mandamus carried
before legal tribunal MIR. fancy was counsel for
the old school side, and MIR. Writ for the defend
ants he court room, during the trial. was crowd
ed win the beauty and fashion of the monumental
city. II was such a display of eloqucnce and a
iull appreciation oi 1t, as is seldom Witnessed Mr.
Writ was always happy in making a q notation and
IN concluding this cause he made one of his happi-
est. Alter aliudlng TO the old school members who
II has been said, were Scotchmen and after dwell.
ing upon the tragedy OF Macbeth, the scenes OF
which are LAID IN Scotland, he described their
preacher rs being in the condition Of Macbeth's
guest; and said, at,er stern rebuke upon them
that though they should succe d in their cause
which he iet confident they would not that they
would feel like the guilty thane.
9TH, DUNCAN
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hsth been
10 s' car, n ~, he srea Office, that hi' virtues
lie Nefn NamnltiOn OF his taking uff
This quotation was made with such oratorical ef.
'eet, that there was deep silence when Mr. Wit
TOOK his seat which was succeeded by repeated ont
breaks OF applause. Mr.. Writ gained The case.
?, AS an authoT, Mr.. Wirrs merits very high.
MS British Spy" contains sketches OF some of our
hrst men, drawn with graphic power which makes
US regret that he did not otener direct his fine min
10 the del nea,ion OF character lie was eminentIy
calculated for biographer His high tone of mo-
RAJ ieeUns would have prevented him from becom-
ing the aPooSlSt OF wee, no matter how high were
It's endowmcnts; while his great admiration Of viz.
Tue ana talent, would have made him the enlhusias.
TIC euIoSst OF those qualifications which render bio
grsphy so attractive and 90 useful The great fault
OF his lite OF Patrick Henry Is eIasgeraton. His
mind became heated and inflated as he contemnIo
ted the eSceences of Henry as an orator and s
man, and ne over-colored that, which, told with
more simplicity, would have been more striking
The effects Of tlerry's eloquencebeing so wonder.
iu In themselves, narrated in a palmer way, would
have more iorcihly struck the mind. What they
borrowed IRON the poetry of the biogrs pher seems
"ldse gliding refined gold painting the lilly,
or throwing perfume on the violet"
Mr.. WIrts Old Bachelor IS deserving of hish
commentators. IL IS written in numbers after the
manner of the Spectator, GUARDIAN and Adventu
rer, and has much of the eloquence Of style which
has contributed largely to the popularity of those
celebrated works. II treats of various Subjects
oratorY, poetry, morality, &C., and abounds IN te
hectlons happily suited TO the condition of Young
men who are entering the learned professions. IL
not sparse OF vii, while II shows the authors IA
mlllar acquaintance with the old worthless of En-
emsh literature, those who drank of the well Of En-
ssh undefied."
II should lot be neglected to be said Of MIR. Wiz,
that he was one OF those who in carly life from, tho
pressure OF an uniriended condition upon a mind of
excessive sensivehess, fell, Tor while into reck ess
dependency, sIternated by maynard fits of intel.
eetua energy, which had an unfortunate influence
upon his habits. Such has often been the situation
OF men like him, who he'd the "!atal gift without
any other gtl-no friendly hnnd-no cheering voice.
Alas, the records Of genius for wre;chedpess is sur
passed only by the records of the lunatic asylum
In fact, lis history often illustrates and deepens the
saddest story on the maniac's wall But 10 the glory
OF Mar. Writ, II IS known that his energies prevail.
ed-that trends came-that religious hone which
had formerly visited him, like the fitul wanderings
OF Perlurbed spirit, at last made her home by his
htarth, where beautiful and gifted family grew up
around him, until, full Of honors and of years. and
the i"iih that IS beyond them, he vas gathered to
his fl.herS.
Wien contemplating the moral and intellectual!
character Of Mr. Writ, Il has been regretted that he
uId not turn away from the horny paths Of the IA r.
ana oe'ote the whole force Of his mind to general
iiefatnrei but how could be- with the poor reward,
OF literature, support those nearest and dearest TO
MINI Yet, had circumstances allowed him 10 have
done So he would haye been one Of the FIRST literary
men Of our country. ! have frequently heard NJ,
WIT when opposed TO some Of our most eminent
men, and this slight sketch IS drawn from opinions
ihen entertained and expressed. presented. Will,
ne lived, the tribute Of my admiration, not 10 the
politician, NOT 20 the candidate for the Presidency
bot TO the author VI the British Spy" .'Tbe Old
B1ebeior," "The Life Of Henry" great lawyer
and acute statesman and a consuG1ate advocate. and
last, though not least, an honest man. and now
that he is dead, would fain corner Testimonials N
his memory worthy Of him--Jut the will mus, he
taken for the deed. q
f''" me " ) coHmsreia Adperhssr, May IS.
SUPREME CoURT
CASE OF ALEXANDER McI.EOD