WILLIAM TILGHMAN. 33 



dent, free, and ingenuous discussion by counsel* 1 

 need not inform the professional reader, that the task 

 was Herculean. In the course however of less than 

 two years, it was performed ; and the profession and 

 the public are indebted to it for an invaluable stand- 

 ard of reference in a province of the law, before that 

 time without path or guide. It is not perfect. It has 

 not the obligation of judicial authority. 1 speak the 

 sentiments of its principal author. Some statutes are 

 perhaps omitted. Still the original work will remain 

 as a monument to those by whom it was erected, and 

 who may now be said to rest beneath it. If it shall 

 increase at all, it will be by the contributions which 

 the hand of respect and affection shall bring to swell 

 the tribute to the venerable dead. 



The labours thus recited, in audition to what is 

 known to have been performed at Nisi Frius, and in 

 circuits through the state, entitle this eminent Judge 

 to the praise of great industry, a virtue which it is 

 an offence against morality to call humble, in one who 

 is the keeper both of his own talent, and not seldom 

 of that, of others also. It was, however, industry of 

 the highest order — a constant action of the intellect 

 practically applied. 



But the character of his mind as it shines forth in 

 his iudsiments, is a subiect of much livelier interest. 



The first great property which they disclose, is his 

 veneration of the law, and above all, of the funda- 

 mental Common Law. There is not a line from his 

 pen, that trifles with the sacred deposit in his hands, 



