The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-04-05

sion from society, that he might pom
der without molcstation on the sub
jects, which mostly interested him.
He adopted no conclusions without
thorough investigation. His opinions
were not the nero echo of those of
other men. They were formed from
n different and more elevated point of
view than that from which men in gen
eral form their opinions. Hence his
views were often original and differ
ent from those OF other men. owing
their pecularity to deep thought aud
serious and earnest reflection In the
investigation of legal questions in
which he was concerned he seldom
failed to come to right conclusions,
and to convince his opposite counsel Of
the correctness Of his views. He had
little relish for the common newspaper
topics Of the day, hich interest the
generality of common readers, which
have little influence on scciotyand are
forgotten almost as soon as read He
was strongly inclined to investigate
the general effect Of great principles,
principles which influence the ac-
tons Of great men. which control the
affairs Of nations, and affect the well
fare of mankind through successive
generations.
He seldom read for mere pastime,
and had little taste for novels and
light literature; viewing such matters
as lily calculated to prepare one for
the great duties of life, or 20 qualify a
man for the success in the arduous
services which devolves on the jurist,
the statesman and the politician. He
seemed to be of the opinion TINT deep
thought and reflection were indispen-
sable to enable one to make n proper
application Of ones reading to the
common concerns Of life. Those who
{ read continually. and everything with
in their reach never have time nor the
ability to treasure up in the mind for
after use, the stores Of knowledge and
wisdom if any such there are in the
| books they read. They may be called
I great readers for their much reading
, but seldom derive substantial benefit
| from what they read. They are not
inclined to meditation, and suppose
they have accomplished all that is
e necessary when they have run over
!, the pages of a noted author without at
r tempting to make application Of the
knowledge thus obtained to the prac-
q teal duties of life. The subject Of
this sketch was not one of that class
of readers. He believed that serious
and intense meditation is as necessa-
5 ry for the requirement of useful
p knowledge as continuous miscellane-
GUS reading.
} That Judge Adds proGtod much
, from his habit of retirement and in
tense thinking, both in his profession
, al business and in the every day con
Germs of life, there is no doubt. Eve
= ny man who aspires to eminence il
the learned professions, or in the af-
I fairs of State, as a fnaneier or polite
ian, must employ considerable por-
{ ton of his time in meditation to work
. out expected results; and such medi-
tation must, of course, precede action
and the general application of his
, thoughts to the matter he has on
q hand Such men are solid rather
than brilliant. In addresses to the
jury, and in discussions of legal ques-
! tons to the court no one was more
q listened to, or was more eficacious in
: convincing the triers than Judge AL
! dis. lie was considered as the ora Gle
of the law, and was dreaded as an op
ponent more than any other attorney
y at the bar. 1t appeared to be the
{ opinion of many clients that if they
I could have Adds on their side they
, would be pretty sure of victory.
lie was never DESTROYS of extending
, his business, and was strongly incli-
ned to confne it to his own county.
But as the county of Grand Isle was
+ contiguous to Franklin, and the shire
= town of that county was near St Al
bans, he was accustomed to attend the
, courts there till near the time Of his
retirement from business.
. Judge Adds was sometimes accused
/ of want of liberality in regard to
I subscriptions and donations for public
, purposes But this charge should be
understood with considerable qualif-
cation, and applicable only to matters
which he considered as useless, and
not promotiye of the public good. In
regard to things which he deemed
necessary for public convenience, or