Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-15

From the Albany Law Journal
Choate's first appearance at the bar was tic
signal for much laughter and ridicule. His
advent was regarded by the lawyers and
~uiJor- Of hi, day very much a. the appear
auce OF Pegasus would be received by the
steady going earth-born equine race. # ne
should descend and assume the role of a cart
horse. His Ways were not as their ways.
His eccenricitie- and bis struggles to carry
his burden alo.t into his native element tx
cited much merriment. But soon it was
found that Pegasus drew h.~ load better that
any OF them, despite his antics and his
curvetings. Men soon came to acknowledge
that there was a new and legitimate style OF
advocate and advocacy, and although It
proved iuumitabe, Yet il soon secured IN
gruiging admiration, and to the newcomer
was accorded the leadership which his unique
genus demanded From then until his death
he was as much sovereign IN the Boston
court house a. Webster was in Fancuil hall
IL Is no wonder that Choate's manner
startled the staii New England court-houses
from their composure. Nothing ike 1t was
ever seen before, has been seen since, or Will
ever be seen again. In its v0lubilitv and
vehemence his speech was more like that Of
an Oriental than that OF a Boston man. -
His voice, which naturally was rich, grand
and melOdIous, he frequently urged to its
highest key; he shrieked he rayed he
tore passion to tatters he swung his fists /;
he ran his trembling fngers through his long
curling locks, dripping with perspiration :.
he shook his head like lions name, he
raised his body on his toes and brought his
weight down on his heels with force that
shook the courtroom he paused for two
OF three seconds. threw back his head. swept
tie jury with terrific glance, and violently
inhaled his breath through his nos
trils, with a snutiiing that was heard all over
the courtroom his weird eyes glared like
a maniac's his wrinkled face assumed hun
dred unnatural cOrrugations in short, his
speech tore his frame, and his body was con-
vulsed ike that OF the Delphic priestess in
her moments OF inspiration. All this seems
very ridiculous in the description. 1t is not
singular that it sometimes excited derision.
Bur derision was short-lived. All this time
lis thoughts were poured forth with an IN
varying and incredible velocity; and orderly
and coherent array Of felicitous and choice
expressions, which none but the orator could
have selected and combined startling and
beautiful images, soaring fancies, glittering
wit, soul-stirring analysis, classical illusions
even Latin quotations; ingenious illustra-
tons, denunciation- rarely employed but
blasting where it struck simply and una
dorned pathos, deep and subtle sympathy
with nature and with humanity, breaking
down the barrier'' Of prejudices. raising and
enlarging the souls Of his auditors, illuminat
ing their understandings. and investing them
Tor the hour with a portion of the orators
own greatness. 1t was the very abandon
ment and ecstaey of eloquence, the true-in-
spired frenzy, which, at long intervals, has
descended from heaven and given to the
world Demosthenes or a Cicero, Chatham
or an Erskine, Webster or Choate.
Cboate's personal appearance was as re-
markable as his oratory. About six feet in
height, with powerful chest and shoulders,
a gaunt frame, huge hands and feet, roll
ing, numbering sort Of gait, bilious, coffee
coiored complexion his face deeply CORFU
gsted with profound wrinkles and hollows
and scanned with powerful lines; his head
rather deep than wide, and completely cover