Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05

Z 1
/ from sitting down on the bed and weep
| ing, a habit to which I am not addicted"
When Mr. Benjamin set out on his trip
southwark from Danville shortly after
this, he was asked by DR.. Hoge II he was
not afraid OF being captured. With sig
| nincant smile, he replied, IT shall never
be taken alive" Mr.. Benjamin remained
with the presidential cavalcade until IL
reached Georgia, when he separated from
his companions. Up to that time he had
passed as a French military officer, hav-
! ing a passport in that language, which
he spoke like a native. He rode a very
tall horse, purchased in South Carolina,
and said TO be one Of the finest in that
State. When he left President Davis's
party he purchased a cart and horse,
and, disguised as a pedler, wearing i'm
mense green goggles, he worked his way
toward the coast. On one occasion he
stopped over night with n gentleman who
was acquainted with and who recognized
him despite his disguise. Being the soul
Of politeness, the host made no sign TO
show that he had penetrated the incog-
nito OF his guest. and 1t was not until
the morning. when in bidding him fare
well, he unwittingly remarked, "Good-by.
Mr.. Benjamin." that the true state Of
affairs was exposed.
ESCAPE TO THE WEST INDIES.
Eventually he made his way to the
Florida coast, embarked in an open boat
for the West Indies, and after a series
Of adventures. which would, in them
selves, make a readable book, he landed
in England In a short time he applied
for admission to the bar, and on his set
ting up the claim that he was an English
man, having been born ffty-hve years
before on British soil, the three years
study required Of aliens by law was dis
pensed with, and he was at once ad-
mltted to practice.
Before long his attachments won recog-
milton on every side, and he was made a
queens counsellor. 1t was while serving
In this capacity that Mr.. Benjamin did
what no man ever did before, and, prob
ably never viii do again-he rebuked the
House OF Lords. He was arguing case
before that august body, when a men,
ber-supposed TO be Lord Cairns-ejacu-
lated the single word, "Nonsense!' Mr..
Benjamin never moved a muscle. but
ceased reading, folded up his brief, and
left the hall. The Lords at once sent
him an apology. upon which he allowed
his junior assistant to return and COM
plete the reading OF the argument
While practicing i'm the English |
courts Mr.. Benjamin gave further |
proof OF his manliness and indie |
pendence. He had occasion TO ap- |
pear before judge who was notorious !
for the discourteous manner in which he J
treated those lawyers who were so I'M
fortunate as to have dealings with him,
and who really stood in dread of him. Mr..
Benjamin had only begun his argument,
when the judge informed him quite
abruptly that it was useless for him to
proceed, as his mind was already made
up. Your Honor holly replied the ex-
Confederate, you, Of course, can re-
fuse to hear me argue this case; but l
wish TO tell you this-that never again
Will 1 condescend to appear In your
court" The judge was so surprised that
any barrister was bold enough TO derry
him that he was at first unable 10 reply;l
but. in a moment, he realized that Mr..
Benjamin was right, came down froml
he bench, took him by the hand. apoio-
sized. and begged him TO proceed, winch
he did. winning the case. The next week
Mr.. Benjamin was rendered a banquet
or his temerity by leading members or
he English bar.
HIS ENGLISH PRACTICE
II was estimated that Mr.. BENJAMIN
njoyed an income OF $4,000 a year from
lis English practice. and at his death
10 left fortune OF 10000 to two rela-
Ives In New Orleans. He died in Paris
q 1884.
In person Mr.. Benjamin was rather
hort, heavy set, with square shoulders,
nd was inclined towards corpulency.
lis face was typically Jewish. the short
lack beard he wore helping TO intensity
: His ability TO sway an audience by |
Is elOQuence was nothing short NJ oar
eilous. When in Richmond he residedI I
n Main street. between Fourth and Fifth. Q
10 Invariably wore the most immacuiateI I
{ linen. WAS alHays cheerflll and affah,e ! {