Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-09-06
Daily Iiraiaiatl.
From the Virginia Sentinel.
A Portrait Of two Distinguished Northern
Neck Lawyers.
CAMPBELL AND roPE.

CAMPBELL AND foPE.
Names rs familiar TO us as household words.
We do not mean Campbell the English poet but
John Campbell the lawyer Not Alexander Pope
of Twickingham, but VIM. ID. Pope, late Attor-
ney mt Law or as he very properly expressed 1t.
Externally at Law" Mr.. Campbell descended
from the Scotch f,mily of that name and from
one Of the branches Of tho Argyll family, Ills ia
ther was minister of tho established Church in
Vhginir. and is represented rs having been a man
of talents and great frmness of character. An an
ecdote Is traditional, that upon certain occasion
be was insulted in his clerical robes. Laying
them quietly nsidr. he said, "remain there until
thrash this rascal which he did thon eoolly reso
med them.
Wm. u. Pope was the son of an eminent lawyer
Of Hanover. who believe, was killed in ducl.-
To his fathers talents was added wonderful TO-
MUS for clothing his ideas with poetc hue, md
strewing his path beth public and private, with
the beauties of his fmcv
For years, both occupied high stand at the
bar. They came after the Lees. Washingtons.
and McCartys. (who asa body Of Magistrates,
stood only second in point "f ability to the
General Court Of Virginia. Ind pretty we'll
passed away. MIR. Campbell was powerful ms
n reasoner The purcst and most beautiful Ian
gnage came from his lips without an effort, an,l
| il difficult TO resist his logic. remember
| the first aud only time | ever heard him.
drank in his words ns only n boy who has his
feelings stirred without exactly defining the cause
| Popc was his junior by several years and his in
! tcllcc. wns Of II very different order Every sen-
tcncc poetic In repeating the poetry OF others
the effusinn Of his brain there was charm
in them yuu looked for in vain in the lines. have
known crowds of men md boys to foil Nv him about
the Court green. or Tavern, all day, bonnd by tho
magic of his voice.
These two celebrated men had. ns opposing
counsel. met frequently ut the bar, Pope often
hy his wit and ingenuity gaining very desperate
case. In one Of these trials ho wns Mt great
loss for argument. The law and testin,ny
were against him. Mr.. Cnmpbelfs opinion had
great weight with the Court. When ho there
fora arose to address their honors, ho regretted
"thc disadvantages under which he laborcd.'-
On the bench the presiding Justice was Mr.
CampbclPs fahcr-in-law. and by his aide was his
son. and" bowling to Mr. Campbell, who was
held and ghusily in his appenrance.C Holy
Ghost"
In another equally ms desperate, he had to
contend against the sume adversary. Mr. Campbell
| had spasmodc affection about tho eyes Tint kept
| ,hpm continually o>cila,ing Pope in opening tho
defence. repeated the following lines:
| THE anccnts did old Argus prize
Because he had an hundIcd eyes,
But sure more honor to him Is DUE
Who looks an hundred ways with two
lie knew vpry well how to salve over this spc-
/
marks by stating that when Sampson was shorn
of his locks his strength departed; but with my
able friend here the case is different; for with
ero hair that drops from hi. head is added strength
and power To lis intellect"
After long and distinguished career Mr.. Camp
bell died. leaving large property accumulated by
hia talents ard industry.
| We wish we conld say rs much for his contcmpo-
| rary. Unfortunate in his matrimonial relations,
| his estate ami practice slipped between his fingers
leaving no marks behind. The greater part Of his
| latter years. spent in the houses OF his old
| friends and a,sorintcs. Rowing about tho country
repeating his thricc-toId anecdotes and poetry. he
was II welcome visitor among rich and poor. His
lines upon old Bli n valuable hound who was
hung for sheep-killing, thought the grentest
piece of poetry coming from his lips. ever penned.
Other fugitive pieces were equally as fascinating
| to the young. 1t was no doubt the intonatons of
his voice aud the peculiar emphasis placed On the
| words that thrilled the ear.
As he grew older his dissipatcd habits under
mined his memory; and losing his teeth his voice
| failed. Want and neglect were fast doing its
work. md this splendid genius cqual To Patrick
/ Henry ~ an orator. died IN ob-rnrity. glad to
| leave n world in which he had lived too fast.
MONTROSS.