The picturesque pocket companion, and visitor's guide, through Mount Auburn

[189] the first edition of a work which gained him great legal reputation,--that on “Real actions.” The writer of an obituary notice of him, in the Law Reporter, giving an account of the origin of this work, states that in the winter of 1824, during the session of the Court at Cambridge, when the Bar were accustomed, more than at present, to spend their evenings together, and when their habits of social intercourse did much to soften the many asperities which the practice of the law seems calculated to call forth and strengthen, Mr. Stearns was one evening lamenting that he had so little to do. It was then vacation in the University; he had but few actions in court, and his time seemed likely to hang heavily on his hands, for several weeks. “I will tell you what to do,” was the answer of Mr. Hoar, who was a very intimate friend of the deceased, “you shall write a work on Real Actions.” The advice was received with acclamation by all present, and Mr. Stearns immediately commenced the work: he had more than half completed it before the close of the vacation, and it was published in less than six months.

In addition to memorials already referred to as proposed, may be mentioned those which are said to be in preparation for doing honor to Dr. Bowditch of Boston, and Dr. Noah Worcester, of Brighton, the “Friend of peace,” both of them names which speak sufficiently for themselves. The accomplishments, virtues, and services of men like these deserve a conspicuous commemoration, not for their own sake only, or chiefly, but with a view to the world's welfare. “One good deed dying tongueless slaughters a thousand hanging upon that.”