Page:Samuel F. Batchelder - Bits of Harvard History (1924).pdf/287

 ing, and long practical experience, combined with his ready invention of illustration and wonderful fluency of expression, often caused him to wander widely from the starting topic, and sweep with amazing facility over far-distant regions of theory or practice, or even personal reminiscence. “It was easy,” says a student of that day, “to draw the old judge from the point under consideration to a lengthy account of Chief Justice Marshall and his fellows…and this was apt to be done every day.” Professor Ashmun apparently tried to restrain and even oppose this tendency of the judge; and there is a tale to the effect that Story once remarked somewhat testily, “Now, Ashmun, don’t you contradict what I say. I believe you would try to correct me if I told you that two and two make four.” “Of course I should,” retorted Ashmun instantly; “they make twenty-two.”

This sort of thing may not have taught the students much substantive law, but it gave them something better. The real value of Story’s connection with the school was in bringing young lawyers at their formative stage into intimate contact with a great legal personality. It has been well said that Story’s position in the history of American law is unique. Such an opportunity of judging, writing, and teaching at a critical period in the