The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-09

aad been listening to a very able speech de-
ivered by Mr. Key in criminal case, and
observing, as l thought, the delight OF my
friend, asked him what he thought of that?-
70 Thought Of Mat," said he, "why was all
the time thinking of the Star Spangled Ban
aerw
Among our own lawyers whom | best knew,
and whose memory l still cherish with affec-
tionate remembrance, was Mr.. Robert |. Tay-
lor. No written or published tribute to the
worth and talents of Mr.. Taylor that have
seen, has ever done justice to the man or the
lawyer. Here, in this community, where he
had lived from his earliest childhood, he re-
ceived that confidence from his fellow citi-
zens which is the highest compliment that
can be paid to professional man, and which
was bestowed upon him in spirit which en-
HANGED its value. His name was itself here
in Alexandria sc tower of strength" in any
cause in which he was engaged, because of
the implicit reliance placed upon his virtue
and honesty. He would never carry a case
into court if it could be anicably settled be-,
tween the parties cut of doors; he would
give no advice in favor of litigation, If he did
not see reason to believe in success he would
resort to no artifce to gain triumph, and
no subterfuge to escape defeat With no
pretensons to oratolical display or mere
forensic eloquence, as it is called, he was a
most convincing. able speaker-his style
formed after the best English models--his
sentences flowing and rounded-his voice
sweet and we'll moduated-his air and man.
ner conciliatory and prepossessing. called
him then-and still think him after the lapse
of near thirty years from the days of which
| write-in most respects, the best lawyer in
Virginia. His modesty-innate, delightful
as it was-prevented him from seeking fame
or notoriety abroad-he was content with the
quiet honors bestowed upon him by his
friends and neighbors. But he made his
mark wherever he appeared, and the more
difficult tie case in which he was engaged, or
had to manage, the more were his profession
al brethren and the public satisfied Of his
ability. There was always So much sound
sense, cogent argument, and knowledge of
the law displayed in his addresses to courts
and juries, that it was real pleasure to lis.
ten to him. Often have | heard him in court,
leaning negligently over the back Of his
chair, discussing the most Intricate questions
connected with the laws of real property,
pouring flood of light upon the matter in
issue, illustrating his arguments with ready
and apt references to authorities, and all in
that easy, familiar way which was natural to
him, and which, while it made plain the most
abstruse points, seemed more like the earnest
conversation of an intelligent gentleman,
than the studied effort of learned counsel.
lor. And yet l have also heard him when,
seemingly unconscious to himself he was
truly oquent-movlng jury to tears, or
exciting them to share his feelings as we'll as
to follow his Judgment lie will be remem-
bered by the Alexandrians who still survive
him, as an honor to their community, and.
udu uo lVcu, VAOic 10 ~ pooo VI
at the bar or on the bench in Virginia, to
which he could not have attained.
l have already said so much of Mr.. t.
for out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh - that l cannot do more
than refer to the names of some of the other
lawyers, now deceased, who in my time -four.
ished with hm-such as Thomson +. Ma
son, quick, acute, ready; and Thomas v
Hewitt, Jealous, interchangeable, intrepid and
determined; the younger members of the
bar at that day must pass over for the pre-.
sent, but may recur to them again, and give
some "reminiscences of their talents and
requirements.
A constant attendant and practitioner al
our bar was Walter Jones, then in the height
of his fame. This profound aud accomplish
ed lawyer always was "at home" in Alex
anlria. He had formerly lived here much
and knew ali our people. He was constantly
employed in important cases. On two occa
sions heord William Writ speak in the ole
Court House. The place was crowded, | re
member, and on both occasions his efforts