118 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF [April, 



in any other, as we live under the written Constitutions of the 

 State and the United States. It is extremely difficult for any man 

 not trained in the law to comprehend his duties as a citizen. We 

 all realize if a Legislature or Congress passes an Act that affects our 

 interests we must consult a lawyer to ascertain how we are to meet 

 its requirements. The recent income tax laws are in point. But 

 very few think of the fundamental constitutional regulations that 

 override and control all legislation. It is largely for these reasons 

 that lawyers have been called upon to fill every class of executive 

 duty. A few years ago a greater number of railroads were presided 

 over by lawyers than by any other class of men, and the great trust 

 companies and even banks seek lawyers as their presiding officers. 



I have referred to these facts to apply them to the case of our 

 late President. Short as his career was at the Bar, his keen clear 

 intellect had grasped the main principles of the law and he had 

 entered upon a successful professional life. Admitted in 1877, as 

 early as January Term, 1878, his name appears in the Supreme 

 Court Reports. The case referred to was one involving a nice point 

 of law, and the opposing counsel was a leader of the Bar and one of 

 the most distinguished men in the profession, the Hon. Peter McCall. 

 The case was decided in favor of Dr. Dixon's clients, an important 

 fact for a young advocate. 



The office of Edwin S. Dixon and Samuel G. Dixon was noted 

 for its accurate and careful attention to every case and matter sub- 

 mitted to it. In connection with cases involving real estate they 

 were especially competent and met on equal terms the Nestors of 

 that branch of the law at that time, Eli K. Price, Edward Olmstead, 

 William Henry Rawle and Henry Wharton. These were the men 

 at that date who practically controlled all transactions involving 

 land titles. The details of a laAvyer's practice are not of general 

 interest, and I do not recall any incident in Dr. Dixon's years at the 

 Bar requiring special mention. What he gained in those eight 

 years of study and practice he never forgot, and those who have 

 been associated with him on the Council of the Academy can all 

 testify as to his clear insight and sound judgment on questions 

 affecting its material interests as distinguished from the scientific 

 work which demanded his greater attention. 



Dr. Dixon fully appreciated all that Lord Campbell said of the 

 legal profession and followed his precepts while a lawyer and in all 

 of his other relations in life. He knew that to excel "industry, 

 energy, perseverance and self-denial" were essential. The envia- 



