ict between the
United States and New Hampshire.

After the experiences of this generation, such a collision seems
trifling; but it involved subjects of grave importance, and was a
contest between no insignificant combatants,--not without interest at
this day to a student of common or constitutional law.

It began in 1842, when Story and Parker were each in the full vigor of
judicial life, and enthusiastic crowds of young men were learning the
science of the law from Story's lips. It ended seven years after, when
Story had passed away, and Parker was lecturing where Story taught, to
young men who now revere the memory of both. He had laid aside the
honor and labors of the office which required him to engage in the
struggle; and, in the first year of his service as a professor in the
school to whose success and reputation Story had so largely
contributed, the court which Story had adorned declared the survivor
victorious. Like Entellus, he might say,--

"Hic victor cestus artemque repono."

The eminent service rendered to the country and the age, by Judge
Parker, while Royall professor of Law at Cambridge, forms a material
part of our national history.

Richard Fletcher was a native of Cavendish, Vt. Having graduated at
Dartmouth, in 1806, he studied law with Daniel Webster, and commenced
practice in Salisbury, N. H. In 1819 he removed to Boston, where he
shortly took rank with the very first of legal advocates.

His biographer says: "While in practice before the courts his presence
ever commanded the utmost respect. Of good form, of handsome and
expressive features, and of most gentlemanly and pleasing address,
with his great learning and untiring industry, it is not strange that
he should have succeeded at the bar and on the bench.

"He was an orator of great power,--fluent and elegant in diction,
bright and sparkling in thought, keen and quick in repartee.

"His care not to be engaged in unworthy causes was a matter of note.

"In political life he found little that suited his tastes, although at
different times a member of both the State and National Legislatures.

"Mr. Fletcher was a sincere Christian. His religion was not so much of
the aggressive kind, nor did he often urge his views upon others; but
it pervaded his entire character, and shone out in all his actions. In
his will he made a provision for publishing biennially, a prize essay
adapted to impress 'on the minds of all Christians a solemn se