The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-17

"Decline. The codidcation of the Roman
Law, or the formation of the Justinian Code.
Sketch of It during the medieval and modern
periods 10. t., .sau
"Count Gurowsk is authorized to refer TO
Hon. Edward Everett, Professor Parsons, Pro.
lessor Parker, William H. Prescott, ESQ.,, Hon.
I. g. Cary, Charles Sumner, ESQ.,, Hon. g, s.
Hillard, Professor FELTON,. 'p
"CAMBRIDGR, January "a, 1867 ,. t...g.. ..
The lectures were not successful, being
attended by only twenty or thirty persone, who
did not find them very interesting. Thetruth
Is, that few Americans care anything for the
Roman Jaw, or for the history Of the principle
OF the Right (dds hect0j nor for the Ramnian,
sabinian, or .Quiritian Jurisprudence. nor
whether the jus cioue was derived from the
Jus qutru1uni, or the jus quirihbhn nom the
Jus c1uae-nor do see why they should care.
But even II the subject had been interesting ln
ITSELF Gurowskis imperfect pronunciation of
our language at that time would have insured
his failure as a lecturer. He. had a copious
stock OF English words at command; but as he
had learned the language almost wholly FROM
books, his accent was so strongly foreign that
lew persons could understand him at first,
except those OF quick apprehension and some
knowledge of the French and German ldioms
which he habitually used.
The favor with which G uro wski had been re-
celVed in the high circles of Boston society soon
eVaporated, as his faults of temper and of man
her, ana his rough criticisms on men and affairs,
Dtgan 10 be felt Massachusetts, was then in the
Must oil the great conservative and pro-slavery
reactlon OF 1850, and Gurowsd's dogmatic radi
cShsm was not calculated TO recommend him to
Ine ruling influences in politics, literature, or
society. lie denounced with vehemence and
without stint or qualification, slavery and ITS
Northern supporters. Nothing could silence
b1m, nobody could put him down. 1t was i'm
vain to appeal to Mr. Webster, then az the height
OF his reputation as Union saver and great
Constitutional eXpounder. ''What do care for
Mr.. Webster" he said on some occasion when
the Fugitive Slave law was under discussion in
the high circles OF Beacon street, and the dictum
of the great eXpouuder had been triumphantly
O..
well as Mr.. Webster But surely Count, you
would not presume. to dispute Mr. Websteris
opinion on question OF constitutional law?'
"And why not?" replied Gurowski, in high
wrath, and in his lOudest tones. 81 tell you l
can read the Constitution as we'll as Mr.. Webster,
and say that the Fugitive Slave law Is uncon.
stitutional-is an outrage and an imposition of
which you will all soon be ashamed. Itlsa dis
grace to humanity and to your repn0licanism, and
MIR. Webster should be hung for advocating it. He
is hum0ug or an ass" continued the Count
his wrath growing iercer as he poured it out
IAN ass II he believes such an Infamous law to
be constitutional; and il he does not believe it,
he is humbug and a scoundrel for advocating
IT," Beacon street, OF course, was aghast.at this
outoulst OF b asphemy; and the high circles
thereof were speedily closed against the plain
spoken radical who dared to question Mr. Web
ster's 1niallibiity, and W ho made, indeed but
small account OF the other idols worshppe6 in
that locality. ..... ....s ''''.-.'-
1t was at this time, III the spring of 1851, that
] became acquainted with Gurowski. | was
in Lyceum Hall in Cam murldge, of which CITY /
was then resdenr, when | saw approaching
through Harvard Square strange figure which
| knew must be the Count who had often been
described to me- but whom till then [ had never
CHANGED to see lie was at the time about forty
hve years OF age, OF middle size, with o large
head and big belly and was partly wrapped In
huge and queerly. cut cloak OF German material
and make. On his head he wore a high, bell
shaped, broad-brimmed hat from which de-
pended long sky-blue veil, which he used to
hic npa from tho oI,s
coat was of bright red flannel, and as itreached
to his hips and covered nearly the whole OF his
capaclous. front, IT formed startlingly con-
spicuous portion of his attire. In addition to
the veil, his eyes were protected by enormous
blue goggles, with glasses on the sides as well
as in front. These extraordinary precautions
Tor the defense OF his sight were made necessary
by the fact that he had lost an eye not in duel,
as has been commonly reported, but by falling
on an open penknife when he was a boy OF ten
years old. The wounded eye was totally ruined
and wasted away, and had been the seat of long
and intense pain, in which, as is usual IN such
cases, the other eye had participated. During the
hrst year or two OF his residence in this country
he was much troubled by the intense sunshine:
his VEIL and in other respects contormed bis
costume to that of the people. , r...-.r.. .
There were several gentlemen in the reading
room whom we both knew, one OF whom IN
uoduced me TO Gurowskl, who received me
very cordially, aud Immediately began to talk
with much animation about Kossuth and
hungary, concerning which | had recently
published something. He was exceedingly
voluble, and seemed to have, even then,
a remarkably copIous stock of English
words at command but his pronuncia-
tiOn, as before remarked, was very imperfect.
and until | grew accustomed to his accent
found 1t difficult to comprehend him. This,
however, made little difference to Gurowski.
He would talk to any one who would listen
without caring much whether he was under
stood or not. On this occasion he soon became
engaged in discussion with one of the gentle
men present Professor in the University, who
demurred to some of his statements about
Hungary; and in short time Gurowsh was
iUaming with rage and formally CHALLENGED
the Professor to settle the dispute with
swords or pistols. This ingenious mode
of deciding historical controversy being
blandly declined Gurowski, apparently DUMB
so reasonable proposition, abruptly retreated
asking me TO go with him, as he said he wished
TO consult me; to whicA request assentod yerv
willingly, for my curiosity was a good deal ex.
cited by his strange appearance and evidently
peculiar character.
ae walked along in silence, and we soon
reached his lodgings, which were convenient
and comfortable enough. He had parlor and
bedroom on the second floor, well furnished
though in dire confusion, Uttered with books
papers, clothing, and other articles, tossed
about at random. He gave me a cigar,
and, sitting down, began to talk quite
calmly and nationally about the affair
at the reading-room. His excitement had en-
tireiy subsided, and he seemed to be sorry for
hls rudeness to the Professor, for whom he had
a high regard, and who had been invariably
kind to him. spoke 10 him pretty roundly on
the imprOpriety OF his conduct, and the folly OF
winch he had been guilty in Offering challenge
"a proceeding peculiarly repugnant TO Ameri-
can, or at least to New ENGLAND notions, and
which only made him ridiculous. mere was