Year: 1874

winch seemed TO enVeiop MS humDle DusI-
ness relations in hopeless darkness. He
could thus instantly pour flood of light
into the mind of the poor client The
expression of satisfaction on the face of
the counsel and of gratitude from the
client, was a picture worth years of toll
to be able to produce.


He had a very influential presence
and great personal influence. If the cur
rent was against him in any trial, he
had great power in resisting it and turn
ing it to his favor. so that he would, if
not convinced. at least secure a respect
ful hearing In speaking, he did not
study ornament SO much as clearness
and force, but his style was naturally
elegant and polished. He never indulg-
ed in low Billingsgate, but if called up
on to meet it, he would do itwith keen
sarcasm that was as efectual as it was
healthy, but always free from vulgarity.
70 ssy that he was not at times bitter
and severe, would not be true, but it was
never expressed in low and vulgar Ian
guage, He never attempted the grand
in his arguments, but very frequently
he would lnvoluntarily indulge in passa-
ges of absolute suhlimity. His purpose
seemed to be to 90 to his work in the
most practical, plain, yet forcible and
effectual manner He would illustrate
his points with sharp sallies of wit. but
he rarely INDUCED in anecdotes. This
resulted from no want of good humor
nor from a want of capacity to relate
them, for away from court he would pro-
woke constant mirth and laughter for
hours by his inimitable manner of relat-
ing them-almost always selecting those
illustrating the men and times just past
-men whose style and manners he did
not ridicule, but whom he could initiate
with wonderful accuracy.


He was far from being wilful, but
when he formed his opinions he would
defend them with skill and courage
which were admirable His character
was positive. He would defend propo-
sitions he deemed correct with true spir-
it and an immense resource of reasons
and illustrations. always impressing his
audience with his originality. On one
occasion a well-informed stranger sat in
the bar while he was addressing the ju-
ry He stated three or four propositions
with marked clearness and force, and
urged his reasons for their adoption, and
the stretnger remarKed, 'IT0w e1iIetts tiro
and clear. He has stated all that man
can in relation to that part Of his case =
but the pause was over and the advocate
was declaring, "Gentlemen, this would
indeed seem sufficient and conclusive,
but | have a reason more potent than all
this The surprise he had shrewdly
created by seeming to exhaust the sub
ject and then suddenly springing in the
most important part, riveted the atten-
tion of the court, jury and bar, to see
what it could be. He then proceeded to
state the most important proposition, by
far, in the case, and to fortify it by an
ingenious arrangement of reasons and
arguments, SO that when he had conclud-
ed his argument on that branch of the
case, his new born admirer exclaimed,
'.What a fertile brain He does not
look like it, hut how he does talk -


He appealed to the reason of the jury
seldom to their passion or sympathy.
Yet, when it became material, he could
describe the weakness or poverty with
marked success. On one occasion it was
urged that his client, an old man, ought
to have understood and did understand
and consent TO a most unconscionable
agreement After describing his clients
incapacity, from age. ir most touching
manner, he added "And now, gentle
men, to say that this man, whose foot
falls so slow and uncertain on the ground
and to. whose ear the sounds of earth are
50 far, far off, whose nerves are unstrung
by the expressions of the plaintiff (his
own SOM whose intellect is clouded and
whose sight is growing dim-to say that
he shall be entombed in his old age in
such contract, is harsh indeed. yes, in
tolerable' - refer to this with no hope
of reproducing the effect, but only to
show the style. He'was never idle. As
he grew older in practice he became
more social. He would read his books
or talk with friend until near morning,
about his cases, the history and practice
of the law, the court room and the names
and characters Of those who had made
courts revered, useful and interesting.
He would listen to and develop in his
mind his clients case with a zest and
thoroughness that was not engendered
by passion or hope of gain, for the rich
and the poor received like treatment


lie would so thoroughly prepare the Law
propositions bearing on his case that
when in court he applied them, he would
do it with mastery analysis and a cleal
recollection of cases. Thus did he Sc


cure the confidence of the court and com


mend his case to most favorable consid


Grafton


And so he talked and walked and read


and ran always upward until be quickly


became the equal of older men. WheI


he went to other than his own village


he left no gossip which derided the law
| 1Ois DuI Jill hO1uo VI COMMENTATOR ~


his skill and bearing. So in communi


ties and out of court, he was not onl,


the lawyer, but also man. He did no


depend on friends. As a stranger, hi


presence, while talking. was very i'm


pressiye. He went into a convention a


Hyde Park, to accept for the late lamen


ted Baxter his nomination as membe


Of Congress, Mr.. Baxter being unavoida


bly, absent. The convention was so moi


sy with enthusiasm for the nomination


that young Steele's words, Mr.. Presi


dent scarcely secured his recognition


but he commanded such attention tha


in ID or 20 minutes, from the lips G
men whose silence had become still


ness, came the significant intcrrogator


"Nho's that % He seldom took an
part in politics, except as he could do :


without turning from his profession.