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The Supreme Court of Rhode Island. he graduated from Brown University, and at once entered upon the study of the law. He completed his professional course at the Litchfield Law School, and at the age of twenty was admitted to the bar. He early gained distinction for unusual attainments in the learning of the law. " A more learned lawyer," said Mr. Abraham Payne, " I have neither known nor read about." Endowed with a

ready and retentive memory and acute reasoning powers, he possessed also the gifts of a clear, ready, and forcible speaker, and the genius for work. This powerful mind was cast in a frame of vigorous mould. Judge Ames was of medium height, and athletic, with a phy sique indicative of strength and endur ance. His handsome face bore the impress of the mind and soul within. Every linea ment betokened a genial, frank, but firm and positive character. With such gifts, in JOHN H. dustry, and learning, it was but natural that he should have soon reached the heights of the profession. In 1832 he became associated with Joseph K. Angell in writing the treatise on the law of corporations which bears the authors' names, and which has since been a standard authority with the profession. Judge Ames took an active interest in public affairs. For several years he repre sented the city of Providence in the House of Representatives of the General Assembly, and in 1844 he was Speaker of that body. He was a vigilant guardian of what he felt to

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be the true interests of the State, and a ready and effective debater. He entered the con tests of the forum with the determination to overwhelm his adversary by the weight of his learning and the irresistible force of his logic. Though always generous and digni fied, he was sometimes outspoken and caus tic. Mr. Payne applies to him the remark made of Lord Keppel by Burke, " Though it never showed itself in insult to any human being, Lord Keppel was somewhat high;" and adds, " But no man had a kinder heart, or felt more keen regret when he knew he had hurt the feelings of another man." Lawyers who had ill prepared their cases, or who had a bad cause to maintain, re ceived stern treatment from Judge Ames. His own attainments made him impatient with men of little learn ing and less industry; and his passionate love of justice made him at times severe toward an advocate who sought STINESS. to make the worse ap pear the better cause. In history, literature, science, and theology he was deeply versed. Added to this, he was endowed with brilliant conversational powers, which made him the charm of the social circle. He possessed the judicial temperament in an unusually high degree. His associate on the bench, Judge Brayton, says of him : "He had an earnest desire to do justice and to administer justice, and took pleasure in being occupied upon the bench in its admin istration." In a conversation with him upon this matter, I said to him, " I wonder that a