Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/41

 of increasing surprise (produced no doubt by the pecu- liar texture and strength of Mr. Henry's style, and the boldness and originality of his combinations) he conti- nued the examination for several hours: interrogating the candidate, not on the principles of municipal law, in which he no doubt soon discovered his deficiency, but on the laws of nature and of nations, on the policy of the feudal system, and on general history, which last he found to be his strong hold. During the very short portion of the examination which was devoted to the common law, Mr. Randolph dissented, or affected to dis- sent, from one of Mr. Henry's answers, and called upon him to assign the reasons of his opinion. This pro- duced an argument; and Mr. Randolph now played off on him, the same arts which he himself, had so often practised on his country customers; drawing him out by questions, endeavouring to puzzle him by subtleties, assailing him with declamation, and watching continual- ly, the defensive operations of his mind. After a consi- derable discussion, he said, " you defend your opinions well, sir; but now to the law and to the testimony." Hereupon he carried him to his office, and opening the authorities, said to him, " behold the force of natural reason; you have never seen these books, nor this prin- ciple of the law; yet you are right and I am wrong; and from the lesson which you have given me (you must excuse me for saying it) I will never trust to appear- ances again. Mr. Henry, if your industry be only half equal to your genius, I augur that you will do well, and become an ornament and an honour to your profes- sion." It was always Mr. Henry's belief that Mr. Ran- dolph had affected this difference of opinion, merely to afford him the pleasure of a triumph, and to make some atonement for the wound which his first repulse had in-