J P P E N D I X. (ii) 



The manner in which he executed tliofe vefy important ofE- Account of Lora 



ces, is frefh in the memory of every one. To the moft afTidu- 

 ous and unremitting attention to his duty, and the moft accu- 

 rate coniideration of the legal principles which were to deter- 

 mine his decifion, he joined a talent for announcing that deci- 

 fion, and the grounds on which it refted, in fuch a manner aS 

 to give fingular weight and dignity to his opinion, and to make 

 the ftrongeft impreiTion on his audience. He did not fpeak 

 often, but when he did, he never failed to throw light on the 

 cafe before the Court. He never forgot, (what is liable to be 

 forgotten in a Court which, from the nuinber of its Judges, 

 partakes fomewhat of the nature of a popular affembly), that 

 he was delivering the opinion of a Judge, not arguing the caufe 

 of a barrifter. He never replied to any of his brethren, re- 

 membering that a Judge does not fpeak for vidlory ; that it U 

 his bufinefs to pronounce his own opinion, not to combat the 

 opinions of others. He fpoke Ihortly, feldom on the circum- 

 ftances of the cafe in detail, but on fome leading and promi- 

 nent point on which the opinion he was to deliver was found- 

 ed. His expreflion was clear and perfpicuous, corredl, at the 

 iame time, and elegant. His fpeaking was flow and delibe- 

 rate, and in that cool and folemn manner which becomes a ju- 

 dicial opinion ; yet, like his appearances at the bar, it did not 

 fail in animation when it was direded to the cenfure of unfair- 

 nefs, to the detedlion of difhonefty, or to the rebuke of oppref- 

 fion. He was of particular ufe in the civil Court, by an at- 

 tention to the proceedings, and to the checking of any impro- 

 priety in the condu(5l of the bufinefs. On this ground, his own 

 ftridl obfervance of propriety gave him great advantage. When 

 he did cenfure, even when there was occafion for feverity, it 

 was with fo much gravity and dignity of manner, and fo 

 much temperance of expreflion, as to enfure the approbation 



(b2) of 



Abercromby- 



