Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 08.pdf/89

 70

rity was exhibited without ostentation or pretense in his whole life. Everywhere and at all times he was simple, single and sin cere. He said what he meant, and he meant what he said. His ' yea was yea,' and his nay most emphatically nay. His daily walk was in a straight path, and he knew not how to seek and find the by-paths of in direction or mystification. Neither flattery nor seductive promises could allure him aside or tempt him to walk in devious ways. "With all his great keenness and accuracy as a lawyer, and his quick perception and appreciation of the mistakes of an oppo nent, and of the opportunities for success thus opened, I speak from knowledge when I say that not all the wealth or honors of the world could have tempted him to intention ally and consciously aid in the success or consummation of fraud." Near the close of his last term, in 1874, he presided at the trial of Amos C. Benner, in Washington County, charged with setting fire and burning in the night-time the dwelling-house occupied by Charles P. Hol land, in Pembroke. At the close of the long trial, which excited great interest throughout the State for the gravity of the offense, and of which the jury found the defendant guilty, he doubtless felt the sentiments in his mind which have already been portrayed above. He closed his charge in the following words : "Now, gentlemen, I have discharged my duties to you, and in conclusion I can only say that my judicial tenure has nearly ex pired. This is probably the last time I shall hold a term of court in this county, for my judicial term has nearly terminated, as well as, perhaps, the term of my own life; and all I can leave the State, the glorious State of Maine, which I love, as a legacy, is the prayer that she may always live under good and wholesome laws, and that those laws may be faithfully executed by the tribunals of justice. Gentlemen, take this case and deal with it according to the evidence." He had a beautiful and simple religious

nature; not allowing himself to be troubled with the fine distinctions between differ ent theological creeds and dogmas, his re ligious faith was as steadfast as an anchor. When he quit the bench the Bar expressed its affection and respect for him by a public meeting and eulogistic resolutions, supple mented by the present of a richly engraved gold-headed cane and a silver service. In person, he was tall, but light for one of his frame. His constitution was healthy and capable of great physical endurance. His countenance, surmounted by gold-bowed glasses, was dignified, beaming, and expres sive of the lawyer and judge. In gathering these scattered memorials of a life that suc cessfully fulfilled the mission accorded to him, I recall with pleasure the many happy hours spent with him in conversation, enjoy ing the social pipe and looking out upon the flowing Penobscot, upon whose banks he reposes after a life that is a benefaction to all who come after him. Edward Kent, of Bangor, justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, was born at Concord, New Hampshire, January 8, 1802. He was the sixth child and youngest son of William Austin Kent, a native of Charlestown, Massachusetts, who had set tled in Concord. His mother was a native of Sterling, Massachusetts, and sister of Prentiss Mellen, the first Chief-Justice of the State of Maine. A sketch of his life is given in Vol. VII of the Green Bag, page 464. The entire family of Mr. Kent con sisted of four sons and four daughters, of whom the majority attained social position and distinction. Edward Kent, after the usual elementary and academic education, matriculated at Harvard College, and was graduated from that institution in 182 1, at the age of nine teen. Among his classmates were Ralph Waldo Emerson, the philosopher, Josiah Quincy, afterwards mayor of Boston, Robert Barnwell, president of South Carolina Col-