Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 18.pdf/475

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442

THE GREEN BAG

Through the generosity of Edwin Austin, last contribution to the Laiv Review was the second father of the school, a stately and published only a few months before his commodious building arose to receive its death — an article on Dicey 's "Law and growing numbers. The staff of instructors Public Opinion." This kindly and judicious was augmented — men of the highest attain criticism, actually involving great labor, ments, who refined upon the system to a called forth from the distinguished jurist the point undreamed of. Case book after case warmest expressions of appreciation. Langbook appeared, not mere manuals of sailing dell's legal style indeed was admirable, directions for the voyager on the ocean of comprehensive yet condensed, minute yet the law, but the buoys and beacons them clear, vital and characteristic as the spoken selves, by which he may pick his way word. His private life was as serene as the steps through the tortuous channels to a definite of his own logic. He was a regular attend anchorage. The case system, at first a local matter, ant at Old Christ Church, hard by the school, assumed national and even international and had a steady, unobtrusive interest in legal importance. The reviews teemed with parish affairs. His tastes were simple and articles attacking and defending it. Law fine. He was singularly free from cant and schools based upon it arose throughout the catchwords. He was a keen judge of men. His friends once made were always kept. country. It was advocated by zealous sup porters among the bar and the universities For them was reserved the play of his de of England. Its enthusiastic graduates, at a lightful wit and the affection of his tender memorable gathering in 1886, organized the almost feminine nature. He was devotedly Harvard Law School Association. The Har fond of children. He enjoyed the society vard Law Review, its "official organ, " came ^of ladies, though never a "ladies' man." to the front rank among- legal periodicals. September 22, 1880, he married Margaret The School, in spite of a constantly rising Ellen Huson, the beautiful and spirited standard, has already completely outgrown daughter of a deceased clergyman, at Coldits new quarters. And long before the founder water, Michigan. He first met her while she of the system retired, in 1900, from active and her mother were visiting in Cambridge participation in it, it stood an assured, ap the previous year. Mrs. Huson made her home with them, and a more lovely and proved success. Prof. Langdell's failing sight prevented tranquil household would be far to seek. him from much extension of his own teach It may be. doubted, indeed, whether his ing work. The courses on contracts and on last years were not his happiest. Though. sales, based on his "Selection of Cases" for the light of the body was failing him, the each, published during the first years of his brilliancy of his wonderful mind seemed only connection with the School, he entrusted to increase. Always full of intellectual later to other members of the faculty. The interests he now had leisure to speculate on subject of equity — jurisdiction, pleading, the deepest legal questions and systematize and practice — had a special fascination for them to his satisfaction. True friends his profoundly analytical and logical mind. cheered him. Ardent admirers sat at his He continued to give two courses, based on feet. The University heaped its honors upon him. His A. B. had long ago been given his "Cases in Equity Pleading" and "Sum mary of Equity Pleading," till the close of him, as of the class of 1851. He was simul his work. His "Brief Survey of Equity taneously honored with the LL. D. by both He was created Jurisdiction," published the year before his Harvard and Beloit. death, perhaps comes nearer the ideal of a emeritus professor upon his retirement in scientific legal work than any other. His 1900. Three years later the Langdell Pro