One was time; he was slow in reasoning and slow in speech.

The other was confidence that the cause he represented was just.

"If either of these were lacking," said Mr.
Herndon, "Lincoln was the weakest man at the bar.

When it fell to him to address the jury he often relied absolutely on the inspiration of the moment,--but he seldom failed to carry his point." Among the great number of opinions of Lincoln's rank as a lawyer, expressed by his professional brethren, a few may properly be given in closing this chapter, which is devoted chiefly to Mr.Lincoln's professional career.

First we may quote the brief but emphatic words of the distinguished jurist, Judge Sidney Breese, Chief Justice of Illinois, who said: "For my single self, I have for a quarter of a century regarded Mr.Lincoln as the finest lawyer I ever knew, and of a professional bearing so high-toned and honorable, as justly, and without derogating from the claims of others, entitling him to be presented to the profession as a model well worthy of the closest imitation." Another distinguished Chief Justice, Hon.