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Jan. 7, 1887.1 [Vaux. 



James R. Ludlow. By Richard Vaux. 



{Read before the American Philosophical Society, January 7, 1S87.) 



The American Philosophical Society in recording its tributes to the 

 memory of its deceased members is sensibly impressed by the reflection 

 that the propriety of their election to its membership had been signally 

 confirmed by the learning and attainments manifested in their life-work. 



Knowledge is advancing to the circumference which bounds the human 

 mind. Science is laboriously engaged in finding out the reason of things. 

 Philosophy in the library is exercising its capacities, and elsewhere testing 

 ils ability to demonstrate them. Out of these sources our Society is filled 

 with vital force. Those who augment and increase its value are within 

 the compass of our commendation. 



The preparation of this paper is the practical exemplification of this 

 axiom. It is dedicated to the memory of the Hon. James R. Ludlow. 



On the 3d of May, 1825, in the City of Albany, in the State of New 

 York, James R. Ludlow was born. His father, the Rev. Dr. John Lud- 

 low, was a minister of the Old Dutch Reformed Church. This venerable 

 Society had an historical character. Its influence in the earlier days of 

 New York was marked, and much yet remains. The Dutch settlers of 

 that Province were earnest, sincere, sluggish, but patriotic people. The 

 Patroons were noted men in their time. The Van Rensselaer Manor was 

 historical. The Patroons, Van Rensselaer, even to a late period were 

 esteemed and respected in social circles. 



The anti-rent excitement half a century ago, was evolved out of the re- 

 lations between these manors and the tenants. 



The Rev. Dr. Ludlow w^as an educated, cultivated gentleman. He 

 was professor of languages in the Theological Department of the New 

 Brunswick, New Jersey, School of the Dutch Reformed Church. 



In the year 1834 Dr. Ludlow came to Philadelphia and was elected 

 Provost of the University of Pennsylvania, in which post he served for 

 nearly twenty years. 



When Dr. Ludlow came to this city, his son James entered the Univer- 

 sity of Pennsylvania and graduated with distinction in July, 1843. 



He then became a student of law with the Hon. Wm. M. Meredith. It 

 may not be out of place to say of Mr. Meredith that he was one of the 

 ablest lawyers of this country. Well read in all branches of learning, 

 with a brilliant wit, his fame was the growth of inherent ability and mar- 

 velous culture. Without industry, he absorbed knowledge. His reading 

 was general, his memory phenomenal. 



On the admission of James R. Ludlow to the bar on July 34, 1846, he 

 entered on the practice of his profession in this city. Earnest, faithful, 

 industrious, he began to establish a professional character that promised 

 success. 



In 1850 he was appointed Assistant District Attorney of the United 



