Ten Years in Washington or, Inside Life and Scenes in Our National Capital as a Woman Sees Them ... to Which Is Added a Full Account of the Life and Death of President James A. Garfield

CHAPTER XV.

Chapter 1587 wordsPublic domain

THE HEAVEN OF LEGAL AMBITION—THE SUPREME COURT ROOM.

Memories of Clay, Webster, and Calhoun—Legal Giants of the Past—Stately Serenity of the Modern Court—“Wise Judgment and Wine Dinners”—The Supreme Court in Session—Soporific Influences—A Glimpse of the Veritable “Bench”—The Ladies’ Gallery—The Chief Justices of the Past—His Apotheosis—Chief-Justice Chase—Black-Robed Dignitaries—An Undignified Procession—The “Crier” in Court—Antique Proclamation—The Consultation-Room—Gowns of Office—Reminiscence of Judge McLean—“Uncle Henry and his Charge”—Fifty Years in Office, 144