418
The Green Bag
in cultivating an irresistible literary charm and distinction, so in making the
substance which is the reproach of some of our literary magazines. Among the essays are estimates of
acquaintance of this work we experienced a sense of refreshment altogether un
Gardiner, Lecky, Green, Sir Spencer Walpole, Godkin, and others, while those
usual.
on “The Presidential Office" and “Presi
on legal and social science rarely succeed
But as we read on, this pleasant
sensation was succeeded by a feeling of
writing on the subjects most worth
dent Hayes' Administration" have spe cial interest for the American lawyer. Throughout are exhibited a ripeness and candor of critical judgment and a
while should be so closely wedded to
mastery of literary expression which
prosiness and banality. With the mortifying admission that few of us have leisure for the study of
will make the volume a dearly prized
poignant regret and even of shame not unmixed with envy that contemporary
acquisition of imperishable worth. terest" Another is the workcollection of great of“human addresses, in
history, it must be acknowledged that
vividness of literary style is to be ac quired only by that ripeness of knowledge which is ever ready with apt illustra tions to support every matter-of-fact statement. Mr. Rhodes’ talent for illustration is extraordinary.
As his
largely of an occasional nature, de livered by Judge Emory Speer, a federal judge who is well known to readers of the Green Bag, and who yields to no one.
unless to his friend Mr. Justice Lamar,
in the esteem in which he is held by
eighteen essays cover not simply a
the bar of Georgia. The subjects of the
historical field, but the field of literary
biographies are “Abraham Lincoln,"
criticismand political discussion as well, his style has an amplitude and a fullness
“Robert E. Lee," “Ulysses S. Grant," “James Edward Oglethorpe,” “Alex
instructive not for the historical special
ander Hamilton," “John Marshall."
ist alone, but for every writer on social
“Thomas Lord Erskine," and "Joseph Emerson Brown.” As the papers were written for oral delivery, they are not to be approached purely as literary
institutions.
By making use of the
accessories of rhetorical skill, wit and the facility of a raconteur, a writer may
no doubt do much to “popularize'I the treatment of a heavy subject, but this is not easily accomplished in a dignified manner, and an unbecoming mere triciousness is so apt to be the result that scientific writers shrink from these artifices and are commonly content with a dry-as-dust exposition. Mr. Rhodes, on the other hand, has pointed out the path to literary distinction.
There is hardly a subject within the lawyer’s horizon which may not be revivified by drawing upon a plentiful
fund of historical and biographical knowledge, and a writer may thus win the attention of cultivated lay readers without striving for the vacuity of
essays, but can best be appreciated by having in mind the occasion whi¢h called
them
forth.
They are well
calculated to appeal to the feelings of an audience, and are eloquent of the patriotic spirit of the newer South With the utmost deference to Judge
Speer, we must confess that we find his diction sometimes a bit too florid to be pleasing, but there can be no questioning
the vividness with which he unfolds the inner history of the lives of great men,
or of the fascination with which a generous heart and ready pen endue the noble qualities of those of whom he speaks. We have found the book thoroughly readable.
