Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-01-26

the Judge no mention of ladies'; but the
intimation was indirectly and very intelli-
giby given, in terms as delicate, graceful,
and cautious as could find. I did not ex-
pect them to stay half an hour, for having
set up almost all the preceding night, to
make myself more thoroughly master of the
cause, had headache, and was almost
stupifed. / had no idea that l should be
able TO do more than argue the case drily
like lawyer. But, somehow or other, my
faculties seemed to recover themselves by
a sudden spring. | never witnessed an au-
dience more interested. l spoke three
hours, when the exertion and the oppres-
slve heat of the room had so much exhaust
ed me, that I had 10 beg the Judge for an
intermission of few minutes. 1t was now
one O'Clock, and | was in hopes the audi
ence would disperse, and leave me 10 finish
my argument at my ease. But not man
or woman budged.
"Meredth begged the Judge, on my be-
haIf for an adjournment till the afternoon.
The court was accordingly adjourned till
haIf-past four. made sure that should
then have comparatively thin room, and
no ladies, and so make cool work of the
sequel. .' E.'
When we re-assembled, instead
OF a cool, empty room, was scarcely able
| to get TO the door and instead Of no la
dies, the number was double. / was dis
mayed forI came fatigued and worn down,
and felt certain that | should ,ose all the
laurels of the morning. But again, to my
surprise, my mind recovered fresh spring.
l spoke an hour and a-halt, and when |
closed, there was clapping of hands, as
loud as you have heard in the theatre la
dies and all, even one Of the judges joining
in it,"
This is his own account. The speech is
well remembered in Baltimore for its wit
as well as its eloquence. Never was dry
legal subject lightened and relieved, whilst
it was most fully discussed, by more bril-.
liant flashes of the finest wit and humor, or
adorned with a richer eloquence. The
public conversation was full of it for weeks
afterwards. The newspapers attempted to
preserve some Of the happiest hits; but, as
in all such experiments, only half pre-
served them necessarily giving them
without the accompanlm-nts Of the con-
text, the manner, the gesture and the recip-
rocal sympathies between the orator and
his audience, which could alone render
them fully ineligible; in the absence Of
which they appear fiat. The writer OF
this Memoir heard the speech, ie!t its effect
as others felt it, and saw, without surprise,
being himself held in the same ttradom,
what he would not have believed unseen,
how marvelously the orator wrapt in de-
lighted attention that large crowd, com.
posed of both sexes, and many to whom the
courts We're altogether unfamiliar, whilst
he discussed, for the greater part OF day,
question abounding in technical Jaw and
occasions for the review Of numerous judi
cial precedents.
He concluded with a passage that wa,
singularly happy in its application to his
client, and which, taking the court and au-
ditory unawares, broke Upon them with a
mingled grave and comic effort grave
from its connexion with one of the grand
est scenes of Macbeth, and comic from its
unexpected and pointed application TO the
gentleman who was there present, and
upon whose shy and modest count-nance it
drew all eyes, provoking laughter at his ap-
parent discontinue. Mr.. Duncan, as |
have said, was a great favorite, and the
public interest in the trial was, in large
part, owing to the concern which was felt
for him. The advocate, in drawing TO a
close, spoke of the severity and unkind-
ness of this contention TO displace pastor
SO much respected by his flock and SO use'
ful in his vocation; expatiated upon the
stake which the cause of religion had in
this proceeding, upon the necessity of
avoiding the scandal such divisions were
likely to bring upon this cause upon the
reflections TO which it would give rise, and
the great duty of harmony among Chris
tian brethren and, whilst all seemed to
respond to the truth of what he said, he
turned unexpectedly towards bis client,
who was sitting near him, and with most
graceful elocutoh, sald
'Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties 50 meek, hath been
So clear in his great Office, that his virtues
VIII plead like angels trumpeongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking off,"
This conclusion of the speech was greet.
ed with the clapping of hands mentioned
in the letter; in which act of applause the
large assemblage seemed to find sudden
aud pleasant vent for the feelings which
had been chained up in mute attention for
several hours, aud which now broke forth
in general congratulation of the orator.
The cause was gained; and MIR. Duncan
is, to this day, in possession Oft the church,
Illustrating his ministry by zeal and talent
which have abated nothing of their origi-
nal strength.
A few days after this trial, Mr.. Writ
writes again TO the some confidential cor
respondent who was the repository OF the
feelings expressed in my last letter:
81 find myself gazed at wherever go, as
if had just entered Baltimore, for the
first time; and hear passages of my speech
constantly repeated. They are getting
parts fit, l find, into the newspapers; and
I had notice to-day, from one of the prin-
tiers, that stenographer had been employed
on the occasion, and was trying to draw
out the whole speech.