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 The Supreme Court of New Jersey. lawyers, with whom it was no easy matter to and practice. Courts were relaxing the iron grasp which that common law, through its grapple. But Mr. Dalrimple fearlessly en tered into the contest, and bravely worked subservience for centuries to mere forms, his way against the odds which seemed to had imposed upon the jurisprudence of the be so heavily against him. He accomplished country. In many of the States new codes of law were established which in too many all this by the dint of perseverance and en ergy, accompanied with untiring industry in instances disregarded wise principles, cre the study of the principles involved in causes ated vicious practice, and disregarded old which were placed in his hands, with great established rules which the wisdom and

experienceof centuries care in the prepara had pronounced good. tion for trials, and un In New Jersey the swerving fidelity to partition wall inter the interests of his posed between equity clients. He was dis and the severity of the tinguished by the scrupulous attention common law was still which he gave to all preserved; the dog business intrusted to mas which custom and him. the decisions of courts had formulated were In 1852 he was ap still recognized as pointed Prosecutor of wise and just. Yet the Pleas for Morris County, which posi there was a disposition in the legal tribunals tion he held for five years. In 1866 he was of the State to inter ject into the adminis nominated and con tration of justice an firmed as an associate alleviation of the hard justice, and, at the ex piration of his first ships imposed by a term, was renominated strict construction of and again confirmed. those dogmas. Judge Dalrimple aided in He brought to the per these efforts, and in formance of his duties PETER VREDENBURGH. his decisions ever in as judge a cool, dis clined to the new order passionate judgment, great patience, wise deliberation, patient in of things. His opinions fully demonstrate vestigation, great learning, and a keen per that his mind had outgrown the bonds ception of the distinctions between right and which an old-fashioned common-law prac wrong. His circuit was not one of the most tice too often fastened upon the lawyer edu important; but it was no sinecure, and re cated in the old schools. He did not stand quired great industry and unremitting activ in the way of the progressive movement, nor ity to perform well the responsible duties of did he pursue the course too often followed his high position. Judge Dalrimple was of an indiscriminate attack upon old, exist equal to the situation, and met the approba ing practice and forms. tion of all who practised in his courts. The opinions of Judge Dalrimple are re The strictness of the common law was garded with great respect by the bar. When giving way, when Judge Dalrimple took his he retired from the bench he did not return seat on the bench, to a new order of thought to an active business, but having acquired a 65