GREAT MEN'S BODIES
"When he started to practise he did not own a single law-book. A merchant endorsed his note for three hundred and twelve dollars for one hundred and fifty-six law books at two dollars each. For thus befriending him, he left to the merchant's granddaughter one-third of his estate at death."—Scott's Distinguished Lawyers.
Perhaps no man was better placed to know and qualified to speak of Mr. O'Conor than Mr. James C. Carter, the present leader of the American Bar. At the time of his death, he said: "Impressive and powerful in his oral efforts, he yet appeared, as I think, at his best in his written or printed briefs. Upon the composition of these he lavished all the resources of his skill and acquirements. He had much imaginative power; and had gained a familiar acquaintance with the best things in literature, especially in philosophy, history, and Old English poetry. He had acquired, or created, an English style of marvellous purity and precision; and when his briefs finally left his hands, they were, indeed, masterpieces. They were not swollen with redundant learning; but exhibited the choice results of blended thought and learning; all arranged with infinite art; with resistless logic; and redolent with a fine breath of philosophy, satire, wit, and eloquence. As he appeared in these compositions, he might be described almost without exaggeration in the lines once applied to Lord Bacon:
"'Deep, comprehensive, clear,
Exact, and elegant; in one rich soul
Plato, the Stagirite, and Tully joined.'
But with all his ceaseless study, his rare experience in important cases, and his great attainments, he took wise care of his body. He knew its value too well, and it had served him too faithfully to allow him to neglect it. Six feet high; erect; dignified; and of noble mien; he was so fond of foot-work, that, when far past sixty he
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