C. Edwards Lester, Life and public services of Charles Sumner: Born Jan. 6, 1811. Died March 11, 1874.

[5] sake so well, that almost insensibly to himself he became the best historical student of his time; and this alone can account for the endless wealth of illustration he had stored up for future use in public life. Having the Law Library under his control as its librarian, he could lay his hand instantly upon any volume, and he amazed the ripe jurists around him with the enormous extent and minuteness of his learning. He seemed to make an exhaustive study of every subject that came before him. The text-books which filled the scope of study for his associates, were but guides for him to broader and deeper explorations.

During his law studies he wrote several articles for The American Jurist, of which he subsequently became editor. Being admitted to the Bar in 1834, he found himself suddenly launched into a successful and lucrative practice, which even with able men, had been considered the reward only of long years of patient industry and assiduous application. He was soon appointed Reporter of the United States Circuit Court, over which Judge story presided; and his three volumes of that jurist's decisions made him as well-known to the lawyers of England as he was at home. In fact, he soon reached so high a standing, that he delivered lectures before the Law School, in the absence of either Judge story or Professor Greenleaf; and with so much acceptance that, by the advice of those eminent men, he was invited to the chair of a Professor in the institution. But, regarding all he had hitherto done as only preliminary to larger attainments, he unhesitatingly declined the honor. The learned Andrew Dunlap had before this written ‘A Treatise on the Practice of the Courts of Admiralty in Civil Causes of Maritime Jurisdiction,’ but was prevented