The New York herald., 1869-11-21

never worn the ermne or held judicial Office, but
rank aud file Of the bar The best talent Of the legal
profession was there, and the speeches were IN their
happiest mood. The bright sparkle OF brilliant wit
Illuminated them oil. Among tue closing speeches
that ot the late James I. Bradythe last speech
he ever made. Tne hour was too late for Its publ
failed TO take notes OF 1t, and thus the record
OF it has been forever lost. He seemed to be
unusually inspired on this OCCASION and never talked
better lie SCARED into the highest realms OF thoughts
he gave unfestrained flight to his fancy; his wit was
never so trenchant; stream OF eloquence poured
from nis lips; he held everybody spenbound by the
llnger on this painful "reminiscences OF man, so
gifted and noble In his life and so lamented in MS
that after many years Of untirng devotion to his
profession ne finally retired from its labors. Ii Is
rarely given 70 lawyers TO retire from rom practice;
the profession ana its excitements and hOnors and
emouments become with them ruling passions
strong, and they cannot ana will not give them up.
MIR. Gerard has always had too much sense to WORK
himself TO WEAKNESS and TO exhaust his nervous
energies and vital forces by too close and uninter-
mltted attention to his professional duties.
He mas LETT the bar blessed with good health
and strength. There was no necessity of
his working further. Always giving 0 kindly
word to young aspirants. he desired further
more to make room for them. lie has done o noble
work at the bar In the banquet given him on his
retirement, the members OF the bar have noby given
expression to their esteem for him and paced upon
hs brow q chaplet whose bright flowers Will never
wither nor iade. No, ,r,c,, ,,vr
Never having been an active politician, II requires
but few lines to give summary OF Mr.. Gerards po
htical lie. He was iederalist OF the old school
and became member OF the wing party, but when
that became au abolition party, under the leader-
ship OF seward and Others he left IL, and although
he has since generally acted with the democracy, but
not with It's ring by any means he has always been
independent and voted for the best men, without
regard TO party. Having almost uniformly acted
with the minority, he mas never been put up
for any ONCE nor held any except tnat OF
Inspector OF public Schools. IL IL well
known however that he has never had any political
nor judicial aspirations, although once offered tho
nomination for Congress and once that OF Judge or
the Superior Court. Being devoted To his profession
he would not rive IL up Tor office OF any kind.
PERSONAL LIFE.
In early life Mr.. Gerard was married TO q daughter
of Governor Sumner, of Massachusetts, and sisvcr OF
General Sumner. They rad four children, or whom
only two-a son and daughier-are now living. HIS
wife died some three years ago, leaving hm large
landed estate in Boston. Since 1874 he has llved At
his present residence on Grnmercy park, then the
most northerly house In New York, and the second
stone house Duily in tins city. lie is an Episcopt-
lian, and attends Dr. Washburne's church. lie Is an
free IRON big0try In religion as he Is from PARTISAN
snip IN politics. In private life he Is the most CON-
panionabe OF men. In society his address
Is the most charming that can be ina
gned, and ita bonb0nan1ie Irresistible. He
keeps up with the times Its Literature, It's soclaltes
It's amusement8, Its busy, animated lie. NO one II
more often to be at the opera, concert or lee
ture room, II there IL promise or good evenings
entertainments. Advancing years do not dampen
Ru splEtts nor Nv ytyhcity, w hae always Known