With mankind, his only relations were
professional. He never married, and had no taste for female
society--was never known to attend a ball or private party, to unite
himself with any society, or be at a public meeting--never indulged in
a joke or frivolous conversation, and had no use for words unless to
expound law or conclude a contract; strictly punctual to every
engagement, but exceedingly chary in making any.
As Judge Martin advanced in years, his habits became more and more
secluded. He had written for a brother, who came to him from France.
This brother was quite as peculiar as himself--they lived together,
and he in a great degree substituted Ben, at least so far as society
was concerned. Now he was rarely seen upon the street, or mingling
with any, save an occasional visit to some member of the Bar, who,
like himself, had grown old in the harness of the law. During the
early period of the State Government he reported the decisions of the
Supreme Court: these reports are models, and of high authority in the
courts of Louisiana.
Judge Martin's mind was one of peculiar lucidity and extraordinary
vigor; its capacity to acquire, analyze, and apply was quite equal to
that of the great Marshall; its power of condensation was superior to
either of his compeers, while its capacity for application was never
surpassed.
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