an excellent lawyer." Indeed, Mr. Sumner's position in the legal world, at this time, was an enviable one: he was universally regarded as a young lawyer of exalted talent, brilliant genius, and commanding eloquence.

CHAI TER II.

Visit to Europe-letters of introduction-received in England with marked attention-attends the debates in Parliament-favorably received by members of the English Bar, &c.-visits Paris-writes a defence of the American claim to the Northeastern boundary— visits Italy-studies art and literature there-visits Germany— returns to Boston-again lectures in Cambridge-publishes an edition of Vesey's Reports-delivers his oration, entitled the True Grandeur of Nations-Judge Story's opinion of it-eloquent passage on the Reign of Peace.

In the autumn of 1837, Mr. Sumner visited Europe, where he remained till the spring of 1840, enjoying superior advantages of a literary nature, and adding largely to the number of his intellectual accomplishments.

The renowned Judge Story, who always cherished the highest regard for him, wrote a letter of introduction to a distinguished gentleman in London, in which he says:

"Mr. Sumner is a practising lawyer at the Boston bar, of very high reputation for his years, and already giving the promise of the most eminent distinction in his profession; his literary and judicial attainments are truly extraordinary. He is one of the editors-indeed, the principal editor of

the American Jurist,' a quarterly journal of extensive circulation and celebrity among us, and without a rival in America. He is also the reporter of the court in which I preside, and has already published two volumes of reports. His private character, also, is of the best kind for purity and propriety; but, to accomplish himself more thoroughly in the great objects of his profession, not merely to practice, but to extend the boundaries in the science of law,-I am very anxious that he should possess the means of visiting the courts of Westminster Hall under favorable auspices; and I shall esteem it a personal favor if you can give him any facilities in this particular."

When he reached England, Mr. Sumner was received with marked distinction by eminent statesmen, lawyers, and scholars. During his stay in England, which was nearly a year, he closely attended the debates in Parliament, and heard all the great speakers of the day, many of whom he became intimately acquainted with. His deportment was so gentlemanly, his mind so vigorous and accomplished, and his address so winning, that he became a favorite with many in the best circles of English society. With regard to the pleasing qualities of Mr. Sumner in conversation, it has been well said, "We know not the man,

that is more lovable, companionable, and profitable, in social intercourse, than is Charles Sumner."

In writing to Mr. Sumner, while enjoying such advantages in England, Judge Story says in a letter, dated August 11, 1838:

"I have received all your letters, and have devoured them with unspeakable delight. All the family have heard them read aloud, and all join in their expressions of pleasure. You are now exactly where I should wish you to be,-among the educated, the literary, the noble, and, though last, not least, the learned of England, of good old England, our mother-land, God bless her! Your sketches of the bar and bench are deeply interesting to me, and so full that I think I can see them in my mind's eye. I must return my thanks to Mr. Justice Vaughan for his kindness to you; it has gratified me beyond measure, not merely as a proof of his liberal friendship, but of his acuteness and tact in the discovery of character. It is a just homage to your own merits. Your Old Bailey speech was capital, and hit, by stating sound truths, in the right way."

The most flattering attentions were shown to Mr. Sumner by distinguished members of the English bar and the bench, and while attending the courts at Westminster Hall, he was frequently

invited by the judges to sit by their side at the trials.

"At the meeting of the British Scientific Association, he experienced the same flattering attentions. In town and country, he moved freely in society, to which intelligence and refinement, wealth and worth, lend every charm and grace. Nor did the evidence of such respect and confidence pass away with his presence. Two years after his return from England, the Quarterly Review, alluding to his visit, stepped aside to say: 'He presents, in his own person, a decisive proof that an American gentleman, without official rank or wide-spread reputation, by mere dint of courtesy, candor, an entire absence of pretension, an appreciating spirit, and a cultivated mind, may be received on a perfect footing of equality in the best circles-social, political, and intellectual; which, be it observed, are hopelessly inaccessible to the itinerant note-taker, who never gets beyond the outskirts of the show-houses." Eight years later yet, he received a compliment, which, from an English bench, is of the rarest occurrence. On an insurance question, before the Court of Exchequer, one of the counsel having cited an American case, Baron Parke, the ablest of the English judges, asked him what book he quoted. He replied, Sumner's Reports.' Baron Rolfe