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 The Court of Appeals of Maryland.

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able ambition and mental energy, and that vast store of legal and general learning during almost intuitive confidence that nature would those studious years, and when he was ap pointed associate judge of what was then seem ever to impart to her favorite intel lectual sons, he persevered until — though known as the Baltimore County Court, he even without much practical experience at was well fitted for the position, although the Bar, and at an early comparative age, only twenty-seven years old. He displayed such learning, such talents, such genius in he became, in the judgment of the pro fession and of his judicial associates, an this new field, that the highest expectations accomplished and able judge." He studied of his friends were more than realized, and, as

was said by Reverdy law under the direc tion of the late Hon. Johnson, in pro nouncing his eulogy : James M. Buchanan, "During the whole minister at the Court period of his service, of Denmark under the administration of his eminent fitness for President Buchanan. the Bench was more He entered upon his and more displayed, legal studies with en and won for him, not only the confidence, thusiasm, and his but the admiration of bright mind and the Bar." quick intelligence soon enabled him to In 1851 a new pass the Bar. In a constitution went into year or two, he was effect in Maryland, elected a member of under which a new the State Legislature bench of judges for from Baltimore. the Court of Appeals His rise was rapid was elected in No and brilliant. Al vember of that year. though one of the John Carroll Le youngest members of Grand was one of the the House of Dele judges elected to the JOHN C. LE GRAND. gates, he was im Court of Appeals. mediately elected The Governor of Speaker of that body, In this position, he Maryland appointed him Chief Judge of displayed a wisdom, a prudence and ad- the court. He held this exalted position ministrative ability far beyond his years. for ten years, during which his shining His remarkable talents for public affairs talents and profound learning shed a new attracted the attention of the Governor of lustre upon the Court, the Bar and the Maryland, Francis Thomas, who, at the State of Maryland. The Maryland Reports expiration of his term in the Legislature, are enriched with his luminous opinions in offered him the position of Secretary of cases of vast importance, and to them the State. He accepted the place, and for two student turns for guidance and the judge for years performed its duties with zeal, energy precedent. and intelligence. His leisure hours were Chief Justice Le Grand died in his native devoted to the study of the law and the city of Baltimore on the 28th of December, cultivation of letters. He accumulated a 186 1, within a few weeks after his retirement