it might be decided whether the nonsuit or default he ordered should be taken off.

"At Worcester, Frank Blake, perhaps the leading lawyer of the county, and one of Judge Parsons' most intimate friends, arose to argue a case: 'Stop a moment, Brother Blake,' said Judge Parsons. 'What points do you propose to present to the jury on this evidence?' 'I will, if your honor pleases, state them to the jury.' 'No, you must state them to the court first.' 'I decline doing so, may it please your honor; and I insist on my right to address the jury in my own way.' 'Certainly, if you address them at all, you may address them in your own way—and there can be no better; but I must first know whether you have any case to speak about. I do not now see one; but perhaps you may point one out.' ‘I will endeavor to do so to the jury.' 'No, you must do so first to me.' 'This I positively decline.' 'Very well, with any view of the case I can now take, you will waste the time of the jury, the court, and the county, by any argument.' Mr. Blake then arose, and turning to the jury began: 'Gentlemen of the jury,' when Judge Parsons instantly said, 'Mr. Sheriff, commit Mr. Blake to close jail,' and quietly rose, and began charging the jury.'"-Memoirs, p. 209.

Mr. Burgess Refused to State His Points.

"In Taunton, Mr. Burgess, of Rhode Island, when asked to state his points, rose and stated one. "That is no point at all, Brother Burgess; have you an

other?' 'Yes, your honor,' and stated it. You have not a particle of evidence for that point, as you very well know; what other? And so the thing went on, until Judge Parsons flatly refused to let him speak. 'May it please your honor, I think I have a good case, an excellent case, and believe I can satisfy the jury of it, and demand as matter of right, permission to try,' said Mr. Burgess. 'A very good case you have, no doubt; but, unluckily, no evidence, and therefore nothing to go to the jury on.' Mr. Burgess at once gathered up his papers, and marched indignantly out of court, while Judge Parsons proceeded to charge the jury. Outside Mr. Burgess harangued the crowd about the Chief Justice's insupportable tyranny, until all at once, he observed the Judge as one of his listeners, who said when he stopped his tirade, 'Brother Burgess, if you get through in season, I wish you would come in and dine with me.' Pausing a moment, Mr. Burgess exclaimed, 'I give it up; I give it all up;' and took the Judge's arm and they walked off together."-Memoirs, pp. 209-10-11.

Characteristics.

"He was cool, steady, and deliberate, occupying every post which was left uncovered, and throwing in his forces wherever the zeal of his adversary had left an opening. In force of combination and power of reasoning he was unrivalled. His great talent was that of condensation. His arguments amounted almost to demonstration. He drew to his aid almost

all the literature and science the human mind can embrace."-Memoirs.

Ten Thousand Dollar Practice When Made Chief Justice.

When appointed Chief Justice of Massachusetts, at the age of fifty-six, Mr. Parsons had a practice, which extended throughout New England and even into New York, of about $10,000 a year, which is equivalent to more than twice, if not three times that sum, now. He sacrificed this business for the judgeship which paid but $1,233; but which was raised to $2,500, and again to $3,500, during his term.

Appearance.

"He was rather tall, quite six feet, of light complexion, quite dark hair, light gray eyes; became bald early, and wore a wig to the day of his death; bright and winking eyes, of firm and slow step, and nervous temperament."-Memoirs, pp. 326-7.

Merchants Submitted Disputes to Him.

"So great was his reputation as a lawyer, that in Boston, it was customary for merchants of distinction who had some unavoidable dispute, to make out a statement of the facts, and submit them to his decision."-Memoirs, p. 410.

His Library.

"His library of between five and six thousand books was carefully read, as he had a perfect passion for reading. It was sold at auction after his death,

and brought more than its original cost with interest, which shows the care and skill with which the books were selected."-Memoirs, p. 263.

Greek, Physics and Mathematics.

He was very proficient in, and loved to study, Greek, the physical sciences, and mathematics. He prepared a Greek grammar for publication when about forty years old, but did not publish it, because, when ready for the press, the Gloucester, England, grammar was republished in this country. In science he performed chemical experiments, had magnets, electrical apparatus, a great telescope, and some small microscopes, and kept abreast of the times in all the sciences. In mathematics he was profound, writing a paper on the theory of Parallel Lines, and one upon the extraction of the roots of Adfected Equations. These were his relaxations.

"A Hypochondriac"-Choate.

"Chief Justice Parsons was a chief hypochondriac, not less as a justice than as a man of society." -Rufus Choate.

GEORGE RECORD PECK, KANSAS.

(1843

-)

George Record Peck was born in New York, May 15, 1843; removed in 1849 to Wisconsin. Worked on his father's farm until his sixteenth year. After teaching, then studying at Milton College, enlisted in the First Wisconsin Artillery, went with Sherman to the sea, won a captaincy for bravery in battle, and participated in the final grand review at Washington. Studied law at Janesville, Wisconsin, where he held his only elective office, Clerk of the Circuit Court. Removed to Kansas in 1871, and in 1874 was appointed by President Grant United States District Attorney for Kansas. Retiring from this service, he became General Solicitor of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company. This position he has held, except for a short time, up to the present, refusing the United States Senatorship on the death of Senator Plumb. His general scholarship is fine. From the University of Kansas he received the degree of LL.D. As a lawyer he combines dashing courage with cool discretion. A most ardent and devoted counsel,