884 HISTOEY or being given as a token of the confidence and respect enter- tained for him in the Third Judicial District, from which he was elected. It has been frequently remarked of him, that he has never since his accession to the bench, either as Circuit or Supreme - Court Judge, failed to be present to open court at the precise minute appointed. Not a moment of time was thus lost; the members of the bar, and all others attending court, being ex- pected, and thus by example, soon learned to practise similar promptness. A writer in describing one of his circuits, says, he accomplishes an infinity of business with the precision of machinery.^ ^ At the organization of the Law Department of the Univer- sity of Albany, in 1851, Judge Parker was appointed one of its professors, and since that time, has devoted every year a portion of time to lecturing before that department. Cooper- ating with the other able professors associated with him, J udge Harris, and Professor Dean, the law school has been constantly increasing in numbers, and has now become one of the most flourishing institutions in the country. The thoroughness of its instruction, and the high standard of excellence demanded for its graduates, have already given to this department of the University a distinguished reputation, and made its impress upon the character of the profession. Its students are found settling in all the northern, western, and most of the southern States. Judge Parker has recently commenced the publication of a series of Criminal Reports, of which the first volume only, has yet been published. It is said the second volume is now in press. Such is the career of one who received no patrimony but his education, and had no aids but his own energies and talents. How he has succeeded, this plain unvarnished'^ memoir re- lates. It furnishes the loftiest evidence of the mighty force of
