[332] Ib., i, 632. Mr. Bryan says that this house still stands and is now known as 204-06 Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.
[333] Ticknor to his father, Feb. 1815, Ticknor, i, 38.
[334] "His opinions had almost acquired the authority of judicial decisions." (Pinkney: Life of William Pinkney, quotation from Robert Goodloe Harper on title-page.)
[335] "He has ... a dogmatizing absoluteness of manner which passes with the million, ... for an evidence of power; and he has acquired with those around him a sort of papal infallibility." (Wirt to Gilmer, April 1, 1816, Kennedy, i, 403.)
Wirt's estimate of Pinkney must have been influenced by professional jealousy, for men like Story and Marshall were as profoundly affected by the Maryland legal genius as were the most emotional spectators. See the criticisms of Wirt's comments on Pinkney by his nephew, Rev. William Pinkney, in his Life of William Pinkney, 116-22.
[336] Ticknor to his father, Feb. [day omitted] 1815, Ticknor, i, 38-40.
[337] Story to Williams, Feb. 16, 1812, Story, i, 214; and March 6, 1814, ib. 252.
[338] "At the bar he is despotic and cares as little for his colleagues or adversaries as if they were men of wood." (Wirt to Gilmer, April 1, 1816, Kennedy, i, 403.)
The late Roscoe Conkling was almost the reincarnation of William Pinkney. In extravagance of dress, haughtiness of manner, retentiveness of memory, power and brilliancy of mind, and genuine eloquence, Pinkney and Conkling were well-nigh counterparts.
[339] Ticknor to his father, Feb. 21, 1815, Ticknor, i, 40.