American Biography (1888), reveal with what skill he could portray character. " Some men," he writes, " seem to be constituted by nature to be masters of judicial analysis and insight. Such were Papinian, Sir Matthew Hale, and Lord Mansfield, each in his par ticular province. Such was Marshall in his. They seemed to handle judicial questions as the great Euler did mathematical ones, with giant ease." Felicitous words these from one who, it is not too much to say, was him self worthy of being styled " a master of judicial analysis and insight.1 In October, 1844, he was married to Mary, youngest daughter of Chief-Justice Hornblower, of New Jersey. Mrs. Bradley, a son, and two daughters, survive him. The Justice's home in Washington was on I Street, at the corner of New Jersey Ave nue. The house had been built by the late Stephen A. Douglas, and for a brief season occupied by that distinguished Senator. A spacious room, originally designed for a ball room, accommodated the Justice's law library, which numbered upward of five thousand volumes. A still larger general library at tested the scholarly and catholic taste of its owner. It is to be remarked of the latter collection that it was not the mere accumu lation of years, but a result of rigid selection, — almost as many books went out as came in, given away to be replaced either by a better edition or by better works.2 Mr. Justice Bradley was a reader of nov els, and extremely fond of poetry.3 Of later 1 In 1875 he took out a copyright for a Perpetual Al manac. Among his printed articles, also, was a learned discussion of the subject of the day and date of Christ's crucifixion, considered astronomically. - A gentleman lately told me that, being interested in the study of Egypt, he wanted to consult a famous book, — "The Book of the Dead." He could not find a copy in the public libraries of Washington or of Philadelphia. Happening to call however on Mr. Justice Bradley, and to mention this subject in conversation, he discovered that the Justice owned not only the book itself, but numerous commentaries thereon. 3 I have heard from one who was present that one even ing he read aloud to the company a poem of Browning. After asking each one in turn for an opinion as to its meaning, he proceeded to give his own interpretation, — an
years he had made as pecial study of Shakspeare. In history, biography, and geneal ogy he seemed, if you conversed with him, to know something of the personal details of almost everybody that ever was heard of. The Justice wrote apparently with ease, his habits of thought being so exact that the first expression stood little in need of being corrected. As proof of this fact one has only to consult certain note-books in which he was accustomed to write down his obser vations on various subjects, whether mature reflections, or the thoughts of the moment. While there is a finish to the composition, hardly an erasure is to be seen. These are not commonplace books, filled with extracts from other men's writings, but a collection of brief essays, as it were, on all sorts of topics. Much of what he has here written is of special value.1 Mr. Justice Bradley was a man of slight build, a little below the medium height. His face denoted intellectual force and great firmness. In repose it was grave; but the moment that he spoke (and his voice was deep and penetrating), his eye kindled, and his countenance was full of animation. He was quick in movement, and one could plainly see that he was a man of positive character. He had a strong temper; at times even was passionate, though his pas sion quickly subsided. In manners the Jus tice was an example of the old school courtesy, — reserved toward strangers, to those who shared his acquaintance frank and genial. His friends were those of a lifetime, for he was warm-hearted and reintellectual treat more wonderful, says my informant, than the poem itself. He was likewise very fond of music; and in his study at Newark, he used to keep at work and listen at the same time to music played at his request in an adjoining room. 1 Here are to be found such topics, for example, as Foreign Coins, Thomas Hobbes, Jewish Cycle, William the Silent on Toleration, Fit Expression. Epochs in Eng lish Literature, John Selden, Age of Egyptian Civilization, Coins — Proclamation Money, Position of Venus when at its Greatest Brightness, Family Happiness, Flow of Water through Circular Pipes, etc., etc.
