Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-08-31
Hon. Judah II. Reniamin.

Hon. Judah II. Benjamin.
The Lord Cancellor has conferred silk upon
Mr.. J. p. Benjamin, farrister-atOlaR, OF the
Northern Circuit Mr.. Benjamin was born In
1911, in the British West Indies, and COM
mcuced the practice of the law in New Orleans
between thirty and forty years ago. During
the twelve years which preceded the breaking
out of the war between the Northern and
Southern States of America, he was Unlted
States Senator Of Louisiana, and during the
same period, or the greater part it, he led
the bar before the Supreme Court at Wash
ington. In those days to be Senator was
Secretary of State Department to the Govern
ment of the Confederate States, under Jetfer-
son Davis; he afterward became War Secreta-
ry, and held that office at the time of the battle
of Bull Run; eventually he became Secretary
Of State Department again ln the latter posi-
ton he conducted all the correspondence and
negotiations with other countries. He was
with Jefferson Davis at the end of the war,
and after numerous hair breadth escapes
arrived in England in 1865 and entered
at Lincoln's inn. He was called to the bar
in 1866, ex speciali gratia, waving the
usual period Of studentship on account of his
high legal knowledge and experience. His
progress toward the attainment of practice at
tue IIISllSu UoI was dt ntSt SlOn3 duo luouSh
his abilities and experience fitted him for lead
ing, his position at the bottom of the junior bar
prevented leading business from being given to
him. He gradually, however, obtained aud in-
creased practice, principally in Liverpool
and Manchester cases. His arguments in these
cases were noticed at the time as combining
strict legal accuracy with a persuasive and
adroit rhetoric, two attributes which compare
lively seldom run together, the latter being, in-
deed, a somewhat scarce commodity at the
Equity Bar. About this time he employed the
time which hung on his hands in composing
bis now we'll known book on the Contract Of
Sale. About three years ago Mr. Justice Han
nen, recognizing his abilities and the difficulty
of his position, gave him, las a Justice in Eyre
has a right to do,) Palatine silk tor Ian
cashire. Mr. Benjamin's position as one of the
first advocates and lawyers at the Common
Bar is now fairly recognized. 1t is understood
that he applied for a silk gown at the last
creation ofQ. C.s; his application, however,
was not at that time successful, probably on
account Of the short period Of his English prac-
tice. 1t is stated that he now receives his silk
gown in consequence of the Lord Chancellor
having been SO impressed with the ability of
his recent argument before the House OF Lords
in the case Of Potter VS.: Rankin, as to consid-
er that it would be unjust to withhold from
ullu lHC piCOCuCdSS VI q S w. 0''S'e'' ~
Ecitor $ Journal
THE STATE LIBRARY.-The available points
in the State Library are adorned with some
works of art, an enumeration OF which may not
prove uuinteresting to the readers OF the News.
Fielding Lewis, life-size portrait on canvass;
Philip 81: George Cook, llte:siz portrait on
canvass John Taylor, of Caroline, life size por-
trait on canvass; Robert Z. Lee, liiesize in oil,
L.1o,o. 81 E;rcp,. SaDato. Tob,: II pck ar'S i'm
peria photograph of Washington; Bullock &
Co.'S New Orleans lithograph of Jefferson
Davis; large steel engraving Of Stonewall
jackson, also of Lee, by Bradley & Co., OF
Phiadel phia; fac simile of the bail bond of,
jeff. Davis; Mai. Jed Hotchkiss' map of '35
miles around Richmond" Bogardus 4 Baud
man Bros. imperial photograph OF Horace
Greeley; Thos H. Williamson's first attempt
at a Typographical map Of Virginia. Picture of
the Tomb OF Washington, published by the
Ladies' Mt. Vernon Society; striking plaster
cast of ex. President John Tyler; Valentine
splendid bust of Gen. J. f. B. Stuart; the Vir-
supposed author, George Mason; Lady Wash
ington's Reception, from the original in the
possession of A. T. Stewart; the Declaration OF
American Independence, July 4, ITO, on
parchment; the Virginia Ordinance OF Seces-
sion, lithograph, by c. Ludwig, Richmond, Va;
ithograph of John Letcher, Ex-Governor Of
Virginia, published by Blanton Duncan, Co
lumbia, South Carolina Richmond Ners.
OFFICE AND ITS RESPONSIBILITIES. s.--An
English journal reports case OF suicide caused
by fear of the consequences OF having been ap-
pointed a parish overseer. The particulars
given are as follows: 'The suicide (Jumplng
out of a railway train) was committed Dy Daniel
D., oooI ciyt1-throo q commission
agent residing at St. Margaret's but carrying
on business in London 1t was stated at the
inquest that so convinced was the medical gen
tlenan in attendance upon the deceased that
the appointment of overseer and the supposed
responsibilities attaching thereto would be liable
TO bring on an attack Of Inflammation OF the
brain, if nothing more serious, that he had
given certificate to that effect to be presented
to the Chestnut magistrates on the same morn-
ing with the view of getting him relieved from
the appointment. The jury returned verdict
of suicide while in an unsound state OF mind
Such an occurrence could scarcely have happen
in the United States. Our national mania tor
oficeholding is so strong that it is quite safe to
predict a thousand cases of suicide or insanity
caused by disappointed political aspirations to
single case of mental suffering created oy a
dread of the responsibilities of Office. Indeed,
the last thing that our trained politicians think
offs the duties and responsibilities OF the posts
of honor and profit which they are perpetuaily
seeking. philadelphia Record.
SHOT BY HER LovER.-A correspondent at
Geneva, writing on the Sth inst, gives an &C, ac-
count of romantic tragedy in Switzerland. "A
young Polish student formed the acquaintance ,es
of an American lady named Huse, who with
her four daughters wasstaying at Gersau. After
a time he asked the hand of one of the young
ladies in marriage, but was refused, and the
family shortly afterwards left for Geneva On =,
Sunday last the young lady was out for a " yak
in wood with one of her sisters and an Eng
lish gentleman, when suddenly the Pole, sap-
peared and presenting revolver first shot Miss
lluse and then attempted to blow out bis own
brains. He SO far succeeded in his deslgn aa ina.
both he and his victim are in critical state