Price.] 214 [April. 



a heart tempered by mercy, necessarily made his investigations care- 

 fully, stated his facts truthfully and clearly, and formed his judgment 

 cautiously; applied sound legal principles pertinently, and drew his 

 conclusions accurately and with a convincing logic. Beyond these 

 requisites, imposed upon himself as indispensable, he seldom elabo- 

 rated ; for the exigencies of the public business which ever pressed 

 upon him did not permit long legal disquisitions. These sensible 

 and clear opinions will long and often be cited by counsel and judges, 

 and hold the memory of Judge Thompson in respect and honor. 



Judge Thompson made not his elevated position available to other 

 distinctions. He modestly toiled on in the performance of his 

 judicial duties, and found these more than adequate to task ordinary 

 human endurance. Yet was he not insensible to social enjoyments, 

 and freely mingled with his fellow citizens on social occasions ; and 

 was not abstinent from social worship, nor negligent of the claims of 

 his church. He was elected a member of the Historical Society; 

 made a Trustee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church ; 

 a Trustee of the University of Pennsylvania ; was chosen a member 

 of The American Philosophical Society; and received the degree of 

 Doctor of Laws from the Jefferson College. 



In bestowing the patronage of his court Judge Thompson was 

 liberally judicious. His appointments of Masters, Auditors, and 

 Examiners were not confined to a few favorites, but extended gen- 

 erally among the competent junior members of the bar, and to those 

 advanced in the profession when the occasion demanded mature ex- 

 perience and judgment. He was willing to listen to the suggestion 

 of counsel, and often invited it, as to the nature of the questions to 

 arise, and the qualifications needed in the appointee ; and probably 

 never declined a nomination mutually agreed upon by the opposing 

 counsel. It was bis pleasure to encourage modest merit, to assist 

 those who needed assistance, and many young men owe to his kind- 

 ness a debt of gratitude. But whosoever the appointee no feeling of 

 favoritism could give his report the slightest immunity against a fair 

 exception and reversal. 



Judge Thompson's junior brethren on the bench have borne for 

 his character a warm and affectionate tribute of regard ; and they 

 testify to traits of character perceptible to the bar, but more fully 

 manifested to those who were in constant association and consultation 

 with him. One generous characteristic obvious to us all was, that 

 he sought not to arrogate to himself the important business of the 

 Court in a manner to overshadow his brethren; but in free and full 



