Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-08-06
The Leaders of the New York Bar.

George Alfcrd Townsend is writing some
very interesting letters to the Troy Times of
men aud thugs in New York, and he thus
describes its three most prominent lawyers
The bar of New York has just renown.
It's strength is uuimpaired to-day. At its
head in natural gifts, is james T. Brady, the
Little Giant" OF the forum, i man of posi-
tive genius, of desUltOry learning, with mem
Ory that Is tenacious aud universal man-
ner adaptable, spontaneous, magnetic n per-
ceptlOn skilled and keen of convictions un-
stable, yet Of earnest momentary sympathies
nc has as pleader equal force ut the bar and
on the stump, and generally patriotic though
httul record. His legal learning is f.agmeu-
tary. He divines what most men have read.
de would rather carry point than deserve
1t, and the happy turning of period has fre-
quently carried him away from the post where
he meant to stand. In appearance he is very
individual; round, grand storehousc of 4
head, Tingletted under its deep, sober brows
falls weak yet animal face, scarcely strength
ened by bunch of "imperial' his eve has
penetration, but not directness; the mans
real nature is Subordinate TO his appetites ::
and he has had SO many fulsome adulaticns
OF his intellect that with the weakness of ee-
MUS he asserts that his true loves are more
bodily aud more practical. His body Is slight
aud low, abruptly rotUud where the turtle
soup Is deposited; and SO much power in sug-
gestIon, argument, GLIB preciseness, has he.
that he IS explosive rather than protective
a man OF the school OF Garrick, sheridan. and
Fox; useful to clients, but nigh lost to hum
self. When he speaks you are Charmed
His manner is conversational in the main. Sc
verely humorous, and his ready knowledge of
human nature, if at fault in rare instances. is
seldom misdiTccted against the bulk of iury.
lie Is man of clubs and comrades. most ex
oellenct when in the company of his interiors.
and however more thorough men may affect to
rate him, Brady's head is match for all their
books The ready sympathy of the pleader
has kept him steadtast to the Unon-though
democrat, his instincts are truer than learn
ing. There is no man in New York whom
r would set down as of equal genius with
James L. Brady.
Cold, Greek in the antique Specification of
most pure and stately features, as ne is &c reek"
IN the vulgate by maine, Charles O'Conor
seems to stand highest in esteem as an exact
aud profound counsel unsurpassed in the forms
and reveIcnces OF the law. He is gray and
pale, with glitteTing teeth, an English tenn
permanent and a naughty carriage. aud he
"S~P" P'SSSNSuI "Hu gan III the placc Wnere
other men keep progress and sympathy The
lines in his face are of disdain his voice is
merciless; he is, in public character. an Amer
rican Lord Derby, without heart upon his
sleeve, or an apparent forgiveness in his eve.
His prepared arguments have mathematical
power irresistible and as unsympathetie as
stone spearhear. He knows the law as if
he were itself articulate.
William Z. Evarts, the peer of O'Conor
in learning, is a man of law tempered with
love. He looks deeper than the motive of a
statue to its germ, and that which makes it
heighten, ripen, and Overshadow with fresh-
ening, protecting foliage. The tree of law is
rod to OCODor, to Eyarts an arbor. The
one is a scourge to be welded BY a few. the
other Is a branch to shelter those most sun
stricken and toilworn. Evarts is almost a
skeleton in body, with boyish face, whose
cheerfulness is little saddencd by overWork
"a reminder of Alexander II. Stcphens-at-
tenuated, but without wrinkles. 1t is a part
of his life and his memory that he loved the
Union equally with the law. These are a few
Of the preferred names at the bar Of New
York.