192
��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.
��With the statement of these and other similar cases, he pressed home the dangers of conviction, and warned the jury not to offend in like manner. His strong appeal had the effect to divide the jury, and no verdict was rendered at that term. We subse- quently heard Mr. Mason argue a number of legal cases, both to the. court and jury, but we never knew him to exhibit so much active pas- sionate feeling and animation, so much energetic, action, and such rapid utter- ance of keen logical argument as were shown by him on this occasion. A short time before he arose to address the jury, he had a lively encounter with the attorney-general, in which both sides indulged the use of severe lan- guage, such as was not often employed by these gentlemen. The dispute arose upon some question about the admission of evidence. It was under the influence of the warmth and ex- citement of this occasion, when his passions were roused to an uncom- mon extent, united with the great im-
��portance felt in the case, when he arose and put forth his whole energies and his lion's strength into that de- fence. It is not singular or strange that he should have carried with him a number of the most intelligent jury- men.
Mr. Mason's personal appearance was very imposing. His height was over six feet and six inches. His weight about two hundred and seventy- five pounds. His uncommon size naturally attracted the wonder of be- holders. His arguments to the jury were never tedious, always command- ingtheir close attention, being remarka- ble specimens of plain, clear, direct, comprehensive, logical reasoning, gen- erally addressed to the understanding rather than to the passions of the hearer. He presented clear ideas aptly and forcibly expressed. He managed well an unwilling, untruthful witness. In his quiet and easy way he would turn such a witness inside out without letting him know what he was about.
��THE CLOUD*
��BY E. P. DOLE.
I saw a bright and solitary cloud, Above the mountain peak, mid-way in heaven. Within its coverlet of snow-white folds A cherub lay.
The sun-beams, deathly cold, In mocking splendor, played upon the cloud. The sun went down ; a fearful night came on ; The storm fiends raged in fury, and their king. The mighty Sarsor, icy wind of death, With all his hosts, assailed the cloud, and strove To kiss the cherub's lips.
In vain ! The cloud, That seemed so frail a breath would dissipate, Was stronger than the web of fate; it was Divine ; it was the mantle Innocence.
��*Tbe above verses are a re-publication, having been written in the author's school days. — Ed.
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