New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-31
Anglo-American Memories
SIR GEORGE LEWIS.
Copyright, 1911. George W. small.y5

here; has been unknown for n genera
ton and more. 1t was Rothschild who
first forced his way into the House OF
Commons, and another Rothschild who
made his own house social centre.
Disraelt did much for the social emanci-
patton OF his race; and others have done
much. For Society. however, Lewis
cared, not because It was Society, but
only when ii was genial.
| referred before to the late Kings re-
gard for Lewis and to the long profess
sional and personal relation between
them. But ! may now add this: was
Lewis's guest one year at Homburg.
The King came to his house often to
play whist Once he said to me:
You and Lewis are great friends"
Il hope So
Il know you are. And you canno 1t
have a better friend l know. for he
has long been mine"
l told Lewis. He said:
You may tell me, but you must not
tell others. You know what the jeal-
ouses about the Court are"
But the jealousies, whatever they may
have been, exist no longer. Nor did
Lewis care for Himself. II was the
King he thought of; to whom his loyalty
in all things had ever been complete.
You understood one SOURCE of his power
from his eyes. His power Of vision was
extraordinary. He saw his way into and
through a labyrinth Of facts to the CEN
who has it has the secret Of success He
knew the relative values Of evidence;
knew what would convince a jury and
what would not. He could measure
forces. Not only law and the facts, but
the human mind was his study; and hu
man nature. ! said.--it has always been
said.-that his greatest or his most fire.
quent victories were won by compromis-
ing difficult causes. Yes, but it Is COM
mCnly far more difficult to bring adver-
sares to terms than to let them fight out
their battle in court. He held a court of
his own in those rather dingy Offices in
Ely Place He summoned both parties.
Both told their stories. He found the
common ground on which they could
stand. His gift Of persuasion rested on
logic and on his perception of character;
which he read at sight. The conclusion
he invited YOU TO draw became inevitable
as he presented two cases to you; even
though It went against you. For a trial
he prepared with a thoroughness which
left no opening for surprise. OF the law
he had a scientific knowledge, supposed
10 be the exclusive possession Of the bar
rister; and not always even Of the sue
cessful barrister The truth is he left
nothing to chance. He had methods of
intultions beside which the rather me-
chanical processes Of Sherlock Holmes
seemed the efforts Of a beginner.
In his profession he had no rival; nor
in the splendor of his career; nor in
those qualities which brought him fame.
But he liked to be taken for what he
was. a man who bound other men to
him by great services and by the attach
ing force of a nature which was simple,
sincere. generous; relentless in the in
terest of client or a friend; kindly in
all personal relations; absolutely true
You gave him your confidence and 1t be-
came 10 him a sacred trust. You relied
on his skill and devotion and they never
failed You loved him as a friend and he
returned your love You have lost him
and you know not to whom else TO turn.
G. ". S.