In trying a cause he might occasionally dwell too long or give too much importance to an inconsiderable point; but this was the exception, and generally he went straight to the citadel of a cause or a question, and struck home there, knowing if that were won the outwork would necessarily fall.

He could hardly be called very learned in his profession, and yet he rarely tried a cause without fully understanding the law applicable to it.

I have no hesitation in saying he was one of the ablest lawyers I have ever known.

If he was forcible before the jury he was equally so with the court.

He detected with unerring sagacity the marked points of his opponents' arguments, and pressed his own views with overwhelming force.