and mining law, Judge Philips' quick intelligence and thorough mental training enable him to handle the questions presented so able and understandingly that his views are generally recognized as sound and conclusive.

This quick adaptability of mind and his love for judicial work has led to his frequent designation by the Circuit Judge to hold Court for other Districts than his own. Wherever he has been sent, whether to Colorado, Kansas or elsewhere, he has never failed to create among strangers the same respect for his learning, ability and impartiality that he has inspired at home. His fame is no longer bounded by State lines but pervades the entire West.

Added to his professional and judicial labors and his political exploits, Judge Philips has wrought largely in the field of polite literature, and enjoys an enviable reputation as an orator. No man in the State has been more in requisition as a speaker on literary occasions. There is scarcely a literary college in the State where his services as commencement orator have not been employed. He has also addressed Female, Law and Medical Colleges. Most conspicuous among these efforts was his address before the triennial conclave of the Phi Delta Theta Society, which met at Nashville, Tennessee, a few years ago. As an after-dinner speaker his merits are best attested by the number of times he is conscripted into this service.

In religion he is a Presbyterian. In 1877 he was a delegate from the United States to the "Pan Presbyterian Convention" at Edinboro, Scotland. During that visit he made an extensive tour of the Continent of Europe, visiting the leading points of historical interest, and devoting much attention to galleries of art and statuary.

Judge Philips has received the degree of LL. D.

from the Missouri State University, Center College, Kentucky, and Central College, Missouri.

Judge Philips can reflect with laudable pride upon his achievements in the profession. His defense of the notorious Frank James was one of the efforts of his life, and under the circumstances surrounding the case, it was one of the greatest victories ever won in the Western forum.

Still in the prime of life, vigorous of mind and body, it is not too much to predict for him a full career, surpassed by no lawyer in the country.

ROGER ATKINSON PRYOR.

THIS representative Virginia lawyer was born on the 19th of July, 1828, near Petersburg, Dinwiddi county, Virginia. His father was the Reverend Theodorick Pryor, D. D., LL. D., than whom no man was more beloved and venerated. His mother was Lucy Atkinson, grand-daughter of "old Roger Atkinson of Mansfield," author of a famous letter describing George Washington, Patrick Henry and other celebrated Revolutionary patriots, which is quoted in all histories of that time. The Reverend Theodorick Pryor was greatgrandson of Richard Bland, who was a patriot of the War of the Revolution and a member of the First Congress and of the Convention of 1776. Judge Pryor is also a lineal descendant of those families of Colonial times, from which sprung Thomas Jefferson, Chief Justice Marshall, John Randolph, of Roanoke, "Light Horse Harry Lee," Governor Randolph Pleasants and others of like eminence in the annals of the United States.

Judge Pryor, after the usual preliminaries, began his education at a classical school, and in 1846, at the age of seventeen, was graduated at Hampden-Sidney College, and two years later at the University of Virginia. He was then admitted to the Bar, and married before he had arrived at his majority. He did not immediately enter upon the practice of his profession, for having written some articles which attracted the attention of the editor of the Washington Union, he was