Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-06-06

In bad case, 1t was truly annoying TO see
how much easier the Judge would discomft
his logic, than we-educated lawyer could
do it, The imputation Of impertinence and
discourtesy in the court room, to young
Phelps, is believed to be a mistake. But the
writer well recolects the war of wit that
was carried on out Of doors; and, although
we'll acquainted with both parties, he never
understood that there was much, if any, per-
sonal bitterness. Phelps, anxious to see a
scientific Judge on the Bench, ridiculed
DIN. DIN, by no means disposed to yield
the influence he exercised to the general sat
isfaction of the public, ridculed the tech
nicalites of Phelps. They were both suffi-
ciently masters in their way, TO prevent Ell
Their party from being crowned with decided
triumph. 1t was in retort for some thrust
given by young Phelps in the street, that the
Judge told the story Of the dog and MOON
1t was one Of his best, but the writer, if dis
posed, could repeat score that would dis
pute the palm with it. 1t was one Of his I'M
failing expedlents, when beset with antago-
nists, either single or in crowds, TO repeat
an anecdote so pat, and in its very nature
so unanswerable, as to throw them all hors
de combat leaving him to march off with Dig
nifty and often with triumph | saw him on
his last bed, when his body had become like
an manageable wreck at sea, and his mind
sat playing amid the ruins. Conscious of
approaching dissolution, the ruling passion
was scarcely weakened.
He had filled in turn nearly every grade
Of office, from Justice Of the Peace to Mem
Der of Congress and Lieutenant Governor.
He was well acquainted with public men,
and public affairs, and was, withal man Of
excellent heart, who accomplished great
deal of public and private good in his day.
have known great many distinguished
men, of almost every grade of celebrity, but
none who left a stronger impression on my
mind for originality, benevolence, strong
sense and good humor than Judge OliR
see him now in my minds eye as used TO
see him daily, riding in his plain, substantial
one-horse wagon, the seat of which he APP
peared TO fill, unless some one squeezed in
like wedge beside him-with good sized
whip in his hand, wel-6lled pipe in his
mouth, and on his capacious head low
crowned, broad-brimmed hat, commonly
called THE Skinner, AN appellation with
which it had been honored by the ready wit
of young Phelps, and which received the
baptism of public adoption. You would
think him entirely asleep as he rode, but for
an occasional stroke of his whip, which his
horse regarded as little as the smoke Of his
pipe. When passing a neighbours house Of
summers day, he would stop in the street,
or under some convenient; shade, his wagon
which would at once be surrounded by the
| family, men, women and children, and with
out alighting, he would tell them few IA.
vorite stories, and pass on. Many a man has
thus been beguied Of his days work-ma-
ny woman suffered her nearly cooked din
ner TO spoil, and many child forgotten its
playthings. While his hearers were bursting
with roars of laughter, the Judge would re.
main composed and apparently asleep, but
as the laughter began to subside in others, il
began to operate in himself First a Whit
of smoke, then an opening of the eyes, broad
beaming with fun, then an internal shaking
of the body, by two or three long suppressed
commissions, which did not move the mus
cIes of the face and the matter ended. Al
elections he was sure to be remembered, anc
when elected remembered his duty. The
grave has closed over few more worthy men
His mind, like that of Burns, was one o.
those original minds of rich ore, which re-
fnement and polish might have spoiled, but
could have scarcely improved. Young
Phelps, after series ofsevere struggles with
able competitors, rose to the highest honor:
of his profession, adorned the Bench which
had so often annoyed him, and was last yeal
re elected to his seat in the Senate Il
needs but one or two hearty efforts TO place
himself in point of reputation and talent a
mong the first minds of the country.
think never met man whom | could war
rant to come off safe in an intellectual en-
counter with him.