SAMUEL H. FITZHUGH.

His Peculiar Characteristics.-Contradictory Traits of his Character.-His Independence. His Firmness.-Born at the Hive, in Maryland.-Enters Jefferson College. His Popularity with the Faculty.-An Interesting Incident.- Troubles with Ridgeway, the Kentuckian.-Call me Ridgeway, Sir, not Ridge.-Fitzhugh insists upon " Ridge."-Incurs the Hatred of Ridgeway.-Scene in the Ball Room. The Insult.-The Manner in which Fitzhugh Resented it.-Pulls Ridgeway's Nose.-The Result.-Fitzhugh Graduates and Commences the Study of the Law with Judge Howell, at Canandaigua.-Is admitted to the Bar.-Removes to Wheeling, Virginia, and Commences Practice. - His Marriage. - Early Death of his Wife.-Removes to Mount Morris, New York.-Enters the Practice. -Is appointed a Judge of Livingston County.-Character of the Bench and Bar of Livingston County.-Judge Fitzhugh on the Bench.-The Perjured Witness.The Arrest.-The Scene in the Court Room between two eminent Lawyers.Fitzhugh enters into a Partnership.-Fitzhugh's Learning.-His Literary Taste. -His Favorite Authors.-Did Shakespeare understand the Art of Budding Flowers? Proof that he did.-The Quotation. -Judge Fitzhugh's Love of Fishing. Singular Fishing Excursion. -Meets a Strange Fisherman.-Fitzhugh's Disgust at his Manner of Fishing.-The Reconciliation.-Amusing Incident at Geneseo.-A Cup of hot Coffee out of Place.-The Garrulous Lawyer.-Fitzhugh's Witty Reply to him.-The Wood Thief.-Amusing Anecdote.

WITH the life of Judge Fitzhugh there are connected many pleasant recollections. He was a scholar of fine attainments—a lawyer deeply and thoroughly read in all the learning of his profession. He possessed a strong native intellect-clear and forcible reasoning powers; his education was enlivened and vitalized by association with men of varied acquirements. Thus, he was a man of no ordinary mind; while his manly nature, his generous and high-toned impulses, his sincere and chivalrous sense of honor, his blunt but disinterested honesty, constituted him a gentleman by intuition.

It is true, that there were dissimilar features in his character, an abruptness in his manner-certain ex

tremes in his disposition, which on a slight acquaintance were difficult to reconcile; but when those traits were thoroughly understood, they rendered him attractive and pleasing. Singularly independent in his nature and judgment, he was not easily influenced by authority, numbers, or popularity. If a man, an idea, or sentiment pleased him, he did not stop to consider the popularity or unpopularity connected with the man, the idea, or sentiment; he adopted the one as a friend, the other as a pleasure. There was not force enough in the universe to coerce him into a measure; but a friend could lead him by a hair. If there were in his character many blemishes, they were counteracted by many excellent qualities. With him, hypocrisy, smooth-lipped deception, honeyed treachery, soft and fawning deceit, were loathsome and hateful. Finally, he was one of those men who, like Mark Antony, spoke "right on."

Samuel H. Fitzhugh was born at the Hive, Washington county, Maryland, February 22, 1796. After a thorough preparation, he was admitted into Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. This institution was then very popular with the southern people, and many sons of the rich planters were the fellow students of young Fitzhugh. His frank and sunny nature rendered him a favorite with all the students, while his studious habits commended him to the faculty.

During his first year in college, an incident occurrred which exhibited his character when smarting under an insult. There was in the college at that time, a student by the name of Ridgeway, from Kentucky. Large and powerful in person, haughty and overbearing in his manner, he was frequently engaged in collisions and broils with the students. This person had conceived a dislike to Fitzhugh for his straight out and independent nature; and because he insisted upon calling him Ridge, instead of Mr. Ridgeway.

"Fitzhugh," said he, one day, "my name is not

Ridge; it is Ridgeway, sir; call me by my name after this, sir."

"My name is Fitzhugh, sir; a good name it is too, sir; but the boys call me Fitz, and I've no objections; they insist upon calling you Ridge, because it is short and business like, and so Ridge, here goes for the future; Ridge it is, and Ridge it must be; good night, sir.”

From that time, Ridgeway became dark and sullen in his manner towards Fitzhugh, and gave out word that he would punish him when an opportunity occurred. Once he offered a slight insult to him, but Fitzhugh took no notice of it. This the bully attributed to cowardice, and was even more insolent to him.

One evening while Fitzhugh and Ridgeway, in company with several other students, were attending a ball at Gettysburg, it happened that they both sought to engage an accomplished young lady at the same time, for a set; the lady declined to dance with the latter, but accepted the invitation of the former. A malignant scowl exhibited the irritation of Ridgway, and as the successful suitor was leading his partner to the dance, the Kentuckian rudely jostled against him, almost throwing him upon the floor. Fitzhugh instantly regained his position, and without regarding his assailant, joined in the dance. But all who were present saw by the bright glow on his cheek that a storm was raging in his bosom. Nothing, however, occurred to mar the pleasure of the evening. The young men joined in the dance, without adverting to the matter; but Ridgeway assumed a more important air, which seemed to say, "he fears me." The next morning, Fitzhugh met him in company with several students. "Stop, sir," said he, as the latter was passing him. Why did you jostle me last night at the dance?"

"Because it suited my pleasure to do so, and

what is more, because you dare not resent it," said Ridgeway."

"I dare wring your nose, sir," and suiting the action to the words, he seized the nasal organ of the bully, and gave it a twist, which caused it to look like a purple excresence, upon which a surgical operation had just been performed. "Resent that if you dare. I'll teach you manners, sir, before I get though with you," said Fitzhugh. Contrary to the expectation of the students, Ridgeway turned and left his assailant without uttering a word. For some days after this event, there were rumors of a challenge and various retributive movements on his part, but he was very careful to avoid Fitzhugh, and no further acts of hostility occurred between the young men. The Kentuckian lost his presumption and impudence. At length he sought an interview with Fitzhugh, and acknowledged that he was in the wrong, and that it had been properly resented. This ended all coldness between them, and they remained friends during their term in college.

In June, 1816, Mr. Fitzhugh graduated. After leaving college, he became a resident of Canandaigua. While there, he was invited by the late Judge Howell to enter his office as a student at law. The invitation was accepted, and Mr. Fitzhugh commenced his legal studies. Some time after this, Judge Howell formed a copartnership with the late John Gregg. Mr. Fitzhugh continued with these gentlemen until October, 1819, when he was called to the bar. Immediately after receiving his license to practice, he removed to Wheeling, Virginia, where he opened an office, and entered on the duties of his profesison. His success as a lawyer was flattering, and he soon gained a very respectable position at the Pennsylvania bar. He was married to Miss Mary Addison, a daughter of Judge Addison, of Wheeling, in October, 1820. Mrs. Fitzhugh was an accomplished and lovely woman. To the attributes of a gentle and loving wife, she added

those of an attractive and agreeable leader in the society at Wheeling. Mr. Fitzhugh's union with her was fortunate. But in the midst of his domestic happiness, death removed her who was its center and its life. Mrs. Fitzhugh died in December, 1821, leaving one son, William A. Fitzhugh, Esq.

Judge Fitzhugh continued at Wheeling until the year 1831, when he removed to Mt. Morris, Livingston county, N. Y. Having interests to a considerable extent in lands at that place, he engaged, for a time, in agricultural pursuits. But his love for the legal profession caused him to relinquish the life of a farmer, and he returned to the practice of law.

In the year 1840 Colonel Reuben P. Wisner, of Mt. Morris, was appointed one of the judges of the Livingston Common Pleas. After holding the office a few days, he resigned, and Mr. Fitzhugh was appointed to fill the vacancy. At this time, Willard H. Smith, of Caledonia, was first judge of Livingston County, and James Faulkner, of Dansville, and David H. Bissell, of Geneseo, were associate judges. Judge Smith was a lawyer of fine attainments, and a judge who presided with marked ability, dignity and impartiality, while his associates were men of much more than ordinary ability. The appointment of Mr. Fitzhugh was a valuable acquisition to the bench of Livingston county. His learning and experience as a lawyer were not the only qualifications which gave him character as a judge. His keen love of justice and right-his hatred of all fraud-his promptitude, and sterling honesty were still more valuable traits in his character. Under the supervision of such able judges, the Livingston Common Pleas attained a high rank as a tribunal, and at its bar the leading lawyers of western New York constantly appeared.

At a term of this court held in May, 1842, a cir cumstance occurred which exhibited the stern love of justice which animated Judge Fitzhugh. During the progress of a trial, in which the late John Young and