them powerfully effective.  In toning down these feelings, and repressing the ornate and beautiful to the cold, concise legal opinion, his delivery lost not only its beauty, but much of its strength and power.  He might have been less useful, but certainly he would have been more distinguished, had he pursued the bent of his genius.  Abilities like Lumpkin’s must succeed respectably, if directed to any pursuit; and even should they be prostituted to base and dishonorable purposes, they will distinguish the possessor above the herd.

His temperament was nervous, his sensibility acute, and his sentiments exalted.  Fluent, with great command of language, he was peculiarly gifted for display in debate, and it was supposed, when he first came into the Legislature, that he would soon rise to the first position in the national councils.  But he determined for himself a different field; and, in view of his eminent services as an able and conscientious judge, who shall say he did not choose wisely?

In an almost adjoining county to that of the residence of Judge Lumpkin, was coming forward, in the profession of law, another gifted son of Georgia—­Walter T. Colquitt.  He was a compeer, at the Bar, of Chief-Justice Lumpkin.  They were admitted to practice about the same time.  He was a native of the county of Hancock.  His mother was the only sister of the eight brothers Holt, every one of whom was distinguished for probity and worth.  They all lived and died in the State, and every one of them was a representative man.  They have all left descendants but one, and none yet have stained the name.  As their ancestors, they are energetic, honest, and most worthy citizens.

Colquitt gave evidence, when very young, of his future career.  As a boy, he was wild and full of mirth, but little inclined to study.  He was fond of sport of every kind, and in everything to which his mind and inclinations turned, he would be first.  Compelled, by parental authority, to apply himself, he at once mastered his task, and was ready, then, for fun or frolic.  Remarkable for physical powers, he fondly embarked in all athletic sports, and in all excelled.  Bold and fearless, he was the leader in all adventures of mischief, and always met the consequences in the same spirit.  It was remarked of him, when a boy, by one who knew him well, that in all he did he played “high, game,” never “low, Jack.”

In the wildness of his mischief there was always discoverable boldness and mind.  At school and at college, though rarely winning an honor, he was always admitted by his fellows to possess superior abilities.  These abilities were manifest more in the originality of his ideas, and their peculiar exemplification in his conduct, than in the sober, every-day manner of thought and action.  His mind was versatile, and seemed capable of grasping and analyzing any subject.  Quick to perceive and prompt to execute, yielding obedience to no dogma, legal or political, he followed