The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-05-06
JUDAH T.. BENJAMIN.
tFrom Now Orleans statcs.l

tFrom Now Orleans Statcs.l
When our distinguished fellow citi-
zen, j. L. Benjamin, escaped from the
pursuit OF the Union army, after the
destruction of tho Confeticracy, aud
was rowed III an open yawl across the
channel between Florida and Nassau,
by II poor negro man, to whom he
gave the last gold piece he possessed.
he was greeted by many friends with
whom he had been acquainted In for
mer times from both sections Of the
Union and from Europe. Consulting
with these friends us to his future, he
was strongly urged by some of them to
return to the United States aud om-
bark in tho practice Of his professions
in which the most brilliant results were
held out to him. There were Louisia-
mans, who urged the stronger claim,
of tho State in which he had achieved
so much distinction. An enthusiastic
English friend, however, claimed that
London was Il far larger field for q man
of his brilliant parts and advised that
he should proceed thither and prom
ised that, in the literary aud journalis-
tic world he would rapidly regain fame
and fortune. "Alas !" suggested Ben
jamin, "I am not young enough. to be-
gin n career in that line"
"Well, you are of the age OF the
Barrister whom Dickens described as a
promising young member Of the Bar,
of fifty" but sorrowfully adding
'.alas ! the cursed convorsatism aud
straight laccdness OF that very high
order, would not sanction the intru-
sion into 1t, of defeated rebel and
foreigner"
"Your advice, l think, is tho best,
my FRIEND" said Benjamin, 81 will go
RI - >.f
ism, but do not dispair OF conqucring
tho invctcrNte eNclusivcncss of the
bar, of eventually getting II silk gown
and II large practice" And, with this
idea and resolution he embarked for
England. Reaching London with a
few shillings III his pocket, he sought
and obtained employment on ono Of the
daily or weekly newspapers, aud set to
work to study tho regular course aud
cat the round of dinners prescribed by
tho rules Of the bar, paying his way
with his small salary as contributor to-
the London journals.
In due time he was called TO tho bar,
and very soon secured tho attention of
courts, clients and counsellors by his
wonderful fertility, great learning, clev-
crncss, cloquencc and readiness. His
next step in the ascent to cmincnce was
to produce and publish law book
which attracted the attention and high
conmcndation of tho legal and literary
world, both in England and in the
United Statcl. Thus ho obtained his
silk gown, ana won his place in the
front rank OF Queens Counsel aud lead
ers of the bar, and soon became over
burtlcncd with briefs; and now, he is
tho acknowledged chief and leader of
tho bar of England, without Il superior
or equal in the extent Of his practice,
the esteem of the highest courts of
Great Britain or in tho admiration and
respect OF tho bar and of tho people.
He is besides in the enjoyment of an
immense income, enabling him to pur-
chase nn elegant residence for his fitmi-
ly in Paris, and to contribute with
unboundcd generosity and lilcraIity to
the relief and aid of his friends and
relatives, in his old loved Louisiana.