Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-29

"Antiquarian" Brown University, which
will appear in our next.
Death Of Chief Justice Durfcc.
TnE Hon. Jon DuRFEE, Chief Justice
Of the Supreme Court Of this State, died
at his house, in TVcrton, on Monday
morning last, the Goth inst. after an i'll
ness Of about ten days continuance, aged
81 years. Judge Duriee was native of
Tiverton, and son ofthe late Hon. Thomas
Durfee, for many years Chief Justice OF
the Court Of Common Pleas for this coun-
ty, and who must be distinctly remem-
bered by that portion of our community
now in middle life. Judge ID. was liberal
ly educated and took his bachelors de-
gree at Brown University in the class OF
1913. In May 1916, some months pre-
vious to his admission to the bar, he was
elected Representative to the General
Assembly for his native town, and con-
tinued to be returned for the same place,
by sem-annual elections, for five years
successfully. At the March term 1917
Of the Supreme Judicial Court for this
county, he was admitted to practice as an
Attorney and Counsellor in all the courts
of this State. In October 1920, he was
elected, conjoiDtly with the Hon. Samuel
Eddy, Representative in Congress, and
served in that capacity, with much credit
to himself and advantage to his con-
sttuents, through the 18th and 18th Con-
crosses. Having failed Of his election TO
the 10Th Congress, Judge ID, was again
returned by his fellow citizens Of liver
ton October lS26) to the State Legisla-
ture, and was Speaker Of the House from
October 1927 until May 1929.
At the session last mentioned he de-
clined a reelection, and remained in pri-
vate life, occupied chiefly with literary
and agricultural pursuits, until May 1888,
when he was once more returned to the
Assembly. At the meeting of the two
Houses that year for the purpose of cleo
ton, he was chosen an assistant Justice
of the Supreme Judicial Court, then con-
sisting of three Judges of which his for
mer associate in Congress, the Hon.
Samuel Eddy, was chief In June 1885,
on the retirement Of Mr.. Eddy, Judge
Durfee was chosen to succeed him, and
continued to be appointed to the place
of Chief Justice, by annual elections, dur
inc the existence of the Government un-
der the old Charter, viz /: to May 1913.
when the Government was organized
under the new Constitution, he was a.
gain elected to the same responsible
station, and continued in the faithful
and able discharge of its duties until the
day of his death.
Judge Duriee was not only eminent in
his profession, and distinguished by an
able and conscientious discharge Of its
duties, but was highly gifted as a poet,
acd excellcd in the abstruser specrla-
tions of the philosophy of the mind,
which have employed and tasked to the
utmost, in all times, the most remarkable
thinkers. His poem entitled Watcher
was highly commended in England, and
there with the most favora-
bic notices and his speculations on mind
and matter, recently produced, which he
published anonymously in that very orig
ina work, called PANIDEA, show the
subtlety and reach of his metaphysi-
cal powers. He was greatly devoted al
so to historical researches and to all
questions relating to the antiquities of his
native State and he felt a love and venera
ton for her institutions, which, i'm the hour
OF trial, made him one Of her wisest coun-
selors, her most effective and devoted
champions. In word he manifested under
circumstances which decide mems char
acters, the spirit Of true patriot, OF an
honest and enlightened magistrate, a man
of original powers and comprehensive
research-onc Of the few that act, pub
lie and private, under a controlling sense
of duty, which makes them an example to
their own generation, and light and a
guide for all future time.
The REMAINS OF CAPT. LINCOLN were
removed from Boston to Worcester on Thurs.
day. The obseques at Boston are represent.
ed to have been extensive and very lmpres.
sve. The body was deposited in magnif-
cent coffin Of black walnut, on which were
placed the American Flag, Capt. LIS trap.
ninus &c and drawn i'm an omen hearse by