The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-03
miscellaneous.


able work, Just published by Lea ant
Blanchard, we copy an extract from Mr.
Wirt's correspondence, and fair speci
men of the biographical portion of the vol
umes. In letter Of Mr.. Writ to his init
mate friend, Judge Carr, we find the fol
lowing sketch of his first appearance in
the Supreme Court:
'sThe truth is, if had been satisfied with my own
figure at Washington, you would have heard from
me on the spot; but was most dissatisfied And
good reason had TO be so-ior II was mean ana
sneaking figure ! made in that cause; and your
friends either deceive you from kindness, or have
been deceived themselves. was never more dis
pleased with any speech have made since COM
menced practice. Having once argued the cause
here to my satisfaction, relied upon my notes for
recalling every topic TO my mind; and this the
more especially, as the court of appeals held me
under the lash 10 the very moment OF my depar-
ture. But behold, when was about to set out, my
notes were nowhere to be found. My only hope
then was that | should be able to recall the argu-
by meditation in the stage; and determined
be very sour, sulky, and silent TO my fellow pas
sengers, that ! might abstract myself from them
andhave opportunity ofstudy; but this you know
is not in my nature; and SO ! reached Alexandria
without one idea upon the subject. My consolat ton
then was that should have one day in Washng ton
before the cause came on; and to effect this, left
Alexandria when the stage arrived, about ten O'Clock
on Tuesday night, and went on TO Washington that
night. got to McQueen's about eleven. In two
minutes after DR. F. came in, delighted TO see me
that could not find il in my heart to resist his
nest desire that would sit with him and have
talk, because he had much say to me of deep i'm
port to himself, and had been longing for my ar
rival that he might unbosom himself to me. He
thus kept me up till two o'clock.
"ImmediatelP after h-a~LfAst retired TO nv
room, borrowed the acts of Congress on which nv
when several of my frends r ziasa
into my room and held me engaged till court hour.
So il was again In the evening; and on Thursday
morning. In this hopeless situation went to court
to try the tug Of war with the renowned Pinkney.
When thought Of my situation--of the theatre on
which was now to appear for the first time-the
expectation which was told was excited, and saw
the assembled multitude Of ladies and gentlemen
from every quarter of the Union, you may guess
my feelings Had l been prepared, how should
have gloried in that theatre, that concourse, and
that adversary! As it was, my dear wife and chill
dren, and your features, look, and sympathetic
voice and friendly inquietude, came over me like
evil spirits To be sure, these considerations gave
me sort OF desperate, ferocious, bandit-hke reso-
lution but what is mere brute resolution with to-
tally denuded intellect gave, indeed, some hits
which produced visible and animating effect; but
my courage sank, and suppose my manner fell
under the conscious imbecility Of my argument.
was comforted, however, by finding that Pinkney
mended the matter very little, if at all
"Had the cause been to argue over again the
next day, could have shivered him; for his discus
sion revived all my forgotten topics and, as lay
IN my bed on the following morning, arguments
poured themselves out before me as from a cornu-
copia. should have wept at the consideration of
what had lost if had not prevented IT by leapiug
out of bed and beginning TO sing and dance like
maniac-to the great diversion of F., who little
pected what was passing in my mind.
''Ths Is all true. know you will abuse me for
it, but il is true STILL and had rather be abused
than TO deceive you.
''Imust somehow or other, contrive to get another
cause in that court, that may show them can do
better i should like there For AL
though you say you believe l do not know my own
strength, you will change that opinion when tell
you am not afraid of any man on that arena-not
even of the Chevalier Pinkney, whom would at
any time, rather encounter than Tazewell. Pink
ney has, for the while debauched the public taste
by false manner, just as Quin and his coadjutors
OF the old stage did, according % Cumberland's &C
count The misfortune Is, that there is no Garrick
at Washington to raise the standard OF nature. As
10 myself, know that have pretensions to ora
tory. My manner, never carefully formed, has
become too unalterably fixed to be improved at my
time OF LIE. Besides, | have not the f-hand fer
tlity of thought the prompt fecundity of invention,
and the extemporaneOus bloom Of imagination,
which all essential 10 the orator. But ] say
again that, triDs full preparation, should not be
afraid of a comparison with Pinkney, at any point,
before genuine Judges of correct debate. Nov
think me over modest if you can.
IL regret extremely that the time OF session of our
court Of appeals disables me from attending the
supreme court; but if our court adopt plan which
they talk of-that is Of having summer and fall
session. will try my luck at Washington soon
a. can get cause or two, by way of commence
ment. So much for this great affair"
Mfr. UT1fs personal appearance Manner Conuer-
saiioa- The Night Of 1.e snuf-bor.
In the prime OF his life Mr.. Writ was remarked for
his personal beauty With a tall figure, ample chest
and erect carriage, there was no great appearance
of muscular strength, but a cons picuous and
grace of motion. His head was large and in good
proportion 10 his frame; the features of his face
strongly defined. A large nose, thin and accurate
ly formed lips, a chin whose breadth gave 10 his
cOuntenance an approximation TO the square rather
than the oval outline clear dark blue eyes looking
out beneath brOvs Of widest compass, and the whole
surmOunted by expanded and majestic fore
head impaired dignity and intellectual prominence
~ a physiognomy which the sculptor delighted 10
study. curled, crisp and vigorous growth of hair
in his latter days almost white-clustered upon
his front, and gave agreeable effect To the out
line Of his head and face.
Towards the close Of his life, severe study and
the infrmities Of his constitution had made vis-
bic trace upon his exterior. He lost somewhat Of
his firm and perpendicular port his complexion
became sallOw his eye faded into a lighter blue,
though il grew even kndler in expression.
His letters sufficiently indicate the character Of
his manners. They were gentle, courteous, and
winning His voice clear and sweet and va
riously modulated by Of the finest musical
perception His laugh, never boisterous, ely,
short and full Of the gaiety Of bic temper Few
men ever had a keener insight of the ludicrous II
never escaped him, however little he might be on
the watch for H. Sterne. for this reason, amused
him, above all other authors, in light literature
The quiet humOr Of Tristrsn Shandy, and those
exquisite drolleries which lie in ambush in every
page, were the most familiar recollections Of his
reading. Many u them may be found covertly
lurking through his letters.
His conversation was exceedingly attractive
II seldom fell into discourse, but played with all
kinds Of amusing topics. II suggestive, pro-
voking thought in others, and certifying them with
opportunity 10 contribute somewhat 10 the purpose
from their own reflection memory. No man wa
more free from that odous habit Of endeavoring b.
say smart things which sometimes mislcad even
persons Of good repute for social talent.
Write playfulness was contagious. II made
HE friends forget the time which wa running by,
and even the good cheer Of a c0nvivial meeting.
An amusing evidence Of this occurred in Baltimore
before he became a resident of that city. lie wa
returning night, about ten O'Clock 10 his lodg.
ings from visit, when his friend Meredith me
him in the street, and invited him "a oin a httl,
family party, at his house, at supper. Writ, eithe
doubtful whether his friend IN earnest-for IL.
character Of the intercourse between them Otter
rendered this difficult point 70 determine
struck with the incongruity Of HE challenge 10
supper when be- about retiring to biz bed, an
swered Mcrcdith's invitation In peculiar way, "a y
ing, Yes, III come and I'll give you enough o
q n, NJ l., H.. 4