New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-09-12


made no pretension to the power of eloquence. His
attraction grew out of the clear and unmpassoned
character of his discourse. He spoke directly to
the Judgment of those whose convictions he was 10
gain. with no appeal TO passion or prejudice.
| The practice of Mr.. Curtis IN Boston led him into
new fields of law He was obliged to master the
maritime law in ell its branches, the admiralty
jurisdiction and procedure, and the patent law Ior
which his mental qualities gave him peculiar
adaptation. Equity Jurisprudence was opened 10
HIM by his engagements in the Circuit Courts OF the
United States. The commercial law was part OF
his studies and of his daily employment. The law
of real property and of wills and testaments was
part Of his necessary acquisitions, and In consti-
utional law and the law of nations. he prosecuted
new studies and applied them TO practical USE Ills
| legal knowledge was general In its character, ana
of constant application In the Courts. he did not
aim at the kind of eminence that comes from
| speciality Of practice.
The biographer devotes large space in the vol
ume TO the appointment of Mr. Curtis TO the Office OF
Justice of the supreme Court OF the United States
in 1851 and his resi- gnaton, after six years OF ardu-
ous service, in 1907. together with review OF his
judicial acts during that period, which occupy so
important place in the constitutional history OF
the country. After his retirement from the bench,
Judge Curtis resumed the practice Of his profession
i
success. enabling him to fulfil his CHERISHED desire
of providing modest competence for the benefit OF
his family. The last five years of his life were
wears OF great professional labor. and of severe do
nestle sorrows. HIS engagements In the supreme
Court OF the United States and his occupations at
home were of the most weghty character. The
death of his uncle Mr.. George Ticknor in 1870,
with whom his relations had always been of n
sngulary aiIectionate mature, although il was the
occasion of tender regret did not prove an lntoera-
BILE grief as il took place at ripe old age. when the
duties Of life had all been discharged and all its
blessings enjoyed with unusual degree of felicity.
but in the Spring of 1871 the death of two young
children brought upon Inn an affection Of a more
serious character, from the effects of which he
never fully recovered. lie preserved his ha-
bitual calmness of spirit and olearncss or i'll
tellcct but mis- physical system niue depressed.
Still he continued his accustomed routine of work:
he was constantly Employed and, though they re-
quired great efforts, did not withdraw from the
active duties of his profession During the inter-
val between April aud June, 1874, he had changed
for the worse, but some OF his most elaborate and
powerful legal performances were accomplished at
this time. In the atterpart of June he went with his
family TO pass the summer months at Newport, but
soon afterward ms health began to fail still more,
aud he was scarcely able TO go abroad except to
every day upon the piazza of his house, AIDING
hight books. hut attempted no labor and saw no
one on business. Early in August he became
seriously ILL., but his condition excited little alarm
there were no symptoms of any organic diseases and
il was believed that his health would be restored by
a nourishng diet, rest from work, aud the sea-air
IL was not TIL the first of September that the case
became very grave, aud even then the hope Of his
recovery was not quite given up. but his death
took place the fifteenth OF that month.
This is not tho place TO rake over the ashes of the
heated political controversies in which Judge
Curtis took an active part or 10 weigh the merits
and dement's of his public course during the un-
happy years Immediately preceding and following
the great Rebellion. His acts have already been
submitted TO the verdict OF his countrymcn. aud
have become a part OF American history. But III
many respects. it Is a pleasure TO dwell upon the
features of his private life even in the faint and
imperfect portrature given by his biographer. He
is described rs man of peculiar independence of
character. He cared little for the praise of men.
This ind Inference arose not from contempt for Lu-
man sympathy, but from high moral resolve to
do his duty without hope Of reward. " HIS was
larl,, and praud nature In which nothing petty or
narrow mingled. lie never sought honors of any
kind. and those which came to hun unsought never
seemed to stir his pride to any weak manifestation
! that lie had gained coveted distinction.
lie was glad to have national reputation, hut he
spoke of il, when TO those nearest and dearest to
hum. he spoke of it all, with "a kind of child Ike
simplicity and humility" The biogrspher presents
| some interesting statements in regard 10 the re-
lgo Gus character of Judge Curtis. from which 1t APP
pears that in the.atter years If his life he expert
enccd decided change IN his theological creed.
although no difference was observed IN his outward
habits conduct. lie was always man Of strong
! lovt
partly from his mother aud partly from the Unita-
riam influences which surrounded his youth His
religious sentiments continued to he those generally
| held by the Unitarians of New-En gland until he
was past the middle period of life. But as he ad-
| yanced in years he felt Obliged t. relinqnish the
cardinal principle of the Unittr.an belief and
| to accept the doctrine of the Trinity and the
articles Of tho Episcopal Church. He declined re-
ceiving the rite Of Confirmation, bat with the sane
| tion of his pastor, now the RI. Rev. Bishop Hunt
ingtOn, became regular commandment. and freely
recognized himself as "A churchman. lie couv, rsed
on religious subjects naturally, but with )deration
| and reverence. There no change, however. in
his religious life The basis OF his religions charac-
| ter remained the same from his youth upwards. An
intimate clerical friend relates that he has been
heard to say that theology was one of his favOritc
studies ont side of his profession, and that lie had
examined the evidences OF Christianity with law
yers scrutiny. aud found them 70 be sufficient and
rrefragable. His own belief, however. rested
mainly on the adaptation Of religion t, the nccess
ties Of his nature. and he impression produced on
his mind by the study of the Scriptures. especially
the New Testament He relied upon the Divine
Power the condition Of success and once remarked
to friend after his retirement to private liie that
he had never aiken his seat the bench, or risen
TO charge jury. until he had first offered silent
prayer for wisdom and guidance.
The selections from the professional and miscc!ia-
| Of nod n