Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/100

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array and concentrate, in order to disguise or eclipse an obnoxious fact. It required a mind of uncommon vigilance, and most intractable temper, to resist this charm with which he decoyed away his hearers; it demanded a rapidity of penetration, which is rarely if ever, to be found in the juiy box, to detect the intel- lectual juggle by which he spread his nets around them; it called for a stubbornness and obduracy of soul which does not exist, to sit unmoved under the pictures of horror or of pity, which started from his canvass. They might resolve if they pleased, to decide the cause against him, and to disregard every thing which he could urge in the defence of his client. But it was all in vain. Some feint in an unexpected direction, threw them off their guard, and they were gone; some happy phrase, burning from the soul, some image fresh from nature's mint, and bearing her own beautiful and genuine im- press, struck them with delightful suiprise, and melted them into conciliation; and conciliation towards Mr. Henry was victory inevitable. In short, he understood the human character so perfectly; knew so well all its strength and all its weaknesses, together with every path and by-way which winds around to the citadel of the best fortified heart and mind, that he never failed to take them, either by stratagem or storm. Hence he was, beyond doubt, the ablest defender of criminals in Virginia, and will probably never be equalled again.

It has been observed, that Mr. Henry's knowledge of the common law was extremely defective; but his attend- ance upon the general court was calculated to cure that defect, in a considerable degree. All legal questions, of magnitude or difficulty, came before that tribunal, either originally, or by appeal; and he had continual oppor- tunities of hearing them discussed in the ablest manner.

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