Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/476

Rh to those of his brethren in brilliancy and declamatory force, must have left a deeper mark on the jury than theirs. Mr. Evarts's rhetoric is far from being a model,—somewhat diffuse and involved; but spite of all seeming disadvantages, he has the art to appear less an advocate and more a disinterested judge than either of his compeers. If we are correct in our analysis of the powers of these three great men, it will be seen that each is sui generis and unapproachable in his peculiar sphere. All things are not to all men. These three combined would make the ideal advocate, who would persuade Agrippa himself. If we are ever indicted for anything important, we shall retain Evarts as general manager, Porter to sum up to the jury, and Beach to argue the appeal if we happen to be convicted.

Judge Porter was twice married,—first, in 1837, to the daughter of Hon. Eli M. Todd of Waterford, by whom he had two children, Mary, who died in 1867, and William L., a graduate of Harvard College and Law School, who was closely associated with his father during all the later years of his life; and the second time to Harriet, daughter of the Hon. John Cramer, also of Waterford, and who survives him after a married life of more than thirty years. Together with his son William, Mrs. Porter had the sad satisfaction to watch the slowly fading light of a genius which his contemporaries are not likely to see repeated.