The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-11
From The Boston Transcript.

Life and Letters of Joseph Story, Associate, JUS
tce of the Supreme Court of the United States,
and Dane Professor of Law at Harvard Univcr
sity. Edited by his son. William w Story. In
two vols. $40. Boston: Published by Charles c.
Little and James Brown"
We have been privileged TO glance through the
first volume of this elegant work. The two volumes
will be completed and ready for the public next
week. speaking likeness of Judge Story en-
graved by Cheney, from crayon drawing by the
artist author and biographer, is happy type the
fidelity with which the latter has traced the mornl
and intellectual lineamens Of his illustrous father.
The book forms one of the most valuable contribu-
tons that have yet been made to the biographical de-
partmcnt of American literature Judge Story's
early and long continued association with the most
distinguished public men of our own country-his
extensive correspondence with some Of the highest
legal authorities of Great Britain--thc genial union
Of an enthusiasm for literature and art with the
severest powers of legal acquisition and clucida-
ton in his character, render the materials of his
biography in high degree varied, interesting,
and instructive. Most judiciousy has the author
arranged and disposed them and lent the graces of
pure and luminous style to the establishment of
his not ungrateful subject AS a specimen of the
original correspondence here given, we quote the
following passages from letter from Judge Story
to Judge Fay containing personal sketches Of JEFF
ferson and Madison:
Jefferson ID tall and thin, of a saow complex
ion with fine, intelligent eye. DIR. NJ yesterday
introduced me; and we spent half hour with him,
in which time he conversed in very easy correct,
and pleasant style. His language is peculiarly APP
propriate, and his manner very unaffected. The
negligence OF his dress a little surprised me. He
received us in his slippers and wore old fashioned
clothes, which were not in the incest order, or of
the most elegant kind; blue coal, white worked
cashmere wastcoat, and corduroy brooches, q beg
your pardon, mean small Clothes constituted his
dress You know Virginians have some pride in
appearing in simple habments, and willing
to rest their claim to attention upon their force of
mind and suavity of manners. The President is
little awkward in his fret address, but you inn
mediaely at ease in his presence His manners
are inviting, and not uncourtly; and his voice ex-
thought and perseverance in bis countennnce. His
smile e very engaging and impresses you with
cheerful frankness.
| "On the whole, | confess he appears to
| clear and intelligent man, ready and diecrmnat
| ing, but more formed by philosophical reflection
| than by rapid, enterprsing, ovcrbearing ge
| MUS If he chooses, he cannot fail to please. If
| he cannot awe, he will not sink into neglect. The
current of his thought ia gentle and uniform, un-
! broken by the torrent OF coquencc and unrutlied
! by the fervor of vivid internal flame. Take this
| passing sketch and color il to your own fancy.
| "Madson is a most agreeable, modest, and I'M
affected man. of q short stature, and Of mild coun
| tenancc. He conyerses with ease, and seems very
well versed in diplomacy. The c~v1acter OF his
mind seems to be formed by that of Jefferson, and
the pupil is not an unfinished likeness of the
| ter He has the reputation Of we'll read scholar,
and without doubt would always sustain con-
siderable rank in the counses of free govern
ment."