He was endowed by nature with a strong understanding and a strong will.

In the profession of the law he had attained great eminence.

His learning had been illustrated by a prolonged service on the bench before the age at which men, even of exceptional success at the bar, usually attract public observation.

He had added to his professional studies, which were laborious and conscientious, a wide acquaintance with our literature, and had found in its walks a delight which is yielded to few.

In history, biography, criticism, romance, he had absorbed every thing in our language worthy of attention.