They always found his
arguments full of instruction, and disliked to lose anything
so good a lawyer had to say. His value as a Judge was largely
in consultation and in his sound opinions. I suppose that,
like his predecessor, Judge Lowell, he was not the very best
of Judges to preside at jury trials, or to guide juries in
their deliberations. Indeed, Nelson had many of the intellectual
traits--the same merits and the same defects that Lowell
had. Lowell was a man of great wit, and a favorite with
the Boston Bar when he was appointed. So they made the best
of him. They were not inclined to receive Nelson's appointment
very graciously. It was some years before he established
a high place in their confidence and esteem. But it was established
before his death. Gray and Putnam and Webb, all in their
way lawyers of the first class, found Nelson a most valuable
and acceptable associate, and have all spoken of him in most
enthusiastic terms. He was a good naturalist. He knew the
song-birds, their habits, and dwelling-places. He knew all
the stars. He liked to discuss difficult and profound questions
of public policy, constitutional law, philosophy, and metaphysics.
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