It is greatly to be regretted that the talents and learning of such a man should not be given to mankind.  Every one capable of appreciating these great attributes in man, and who knew Colonel Cumming, will, with the writer, regret that he persistently refused every persuasion of his friends to allow them to place him in such a position before the country as would bring his great qualities prominently forward in the service, and for the benefit of his fellow-men.  His proud nature scorned the petty arts of the politician; and he doubtless felt place could only be had or retained by the use of these arts; he was of too high principle to descend to them, and held in great contempt those whose confidence and favor could only be had by chicanery.  He was not a people’s man, and had in his nature very little in common with the masses; and, like Coriolanus, scorned and shunned the great unwashed.  He lived out his threescore years and ten, hiding the jewel God had given him, and appropriating it only to the use of his own happiness in the solitude he loved.

George McDuffie was a very different man.  Born of humble parentage in one of the eastern counties of Georgia, he enjoyed but few advantages.  His early education was limited:  a fortuitous circumstance brought him to the knowledge of Mr. Calhoun, who saw at once in the boy the promise of the man.  Proposing to educate him and fit him for a destiny which he believed an eminent one, he invited him to his home, and furnished him with the means of accomplishing this end.  His ambition had often whispered to his young mind a proud future, and he commenced the acquisition of the education which was, as he felt, essential as a means of its attainment.  In this he made rapid progress, and at the age of twenty-five graduated at the university of South Carolina.  It was not long after graduating before he was admitted to the Bar, and commenced the practice of law in company with Eldridge Simpkins, at Edgefield Court House, who was, if I mistake not, at the time, a member of Congress.

The rise of McDuffie at the Bar was rapid; he had not practised three years before his position was by the side of the first minds of the State, and his name in the mouth of every one—­the coming man of the South.  It was probably owing to the defence made by him of William Taylor for the killing of Dr. Cheesboro, that he became famous as it were in a day.  This case excited the people of the whole State of South Carolina.  The parties were, so far as position was concerned, the first in the State.  William Taylor was the brother of John Taylor, who at the time of the killing was Governor of the State.  John Taylor, his grandfather, was a distinguished officer in the army of the Revolution:  the family was wealthy, and extensively connected with the first families of the State.  Cheesboro was a young physician of great promise and extensive practice.  Jealousy was the cause of the killing, and was evidently