It was the first case in which he appeared at our bar; a criminal prosecution in which I had arranged a very pretty defence, as against the Attorney-General, Atkinson, who was able enough in his way, but whom I knew very well how to take.

Atkinson being absent, Webster conducted the case for him, and turned, in the most masterly manner, the line of my defences, carrying with him all but one of the jurors, so that I barely saved my client by my best exertions.

I was nevermore surprised than by this remarkable exhibition of unexpected power.
It surpassed, in some respects, anything which I have ever since seen even in him." [Footnote 1: Mr.Mason, as is well known, was six feet seven inches in height, and his language, always very forcible and direct, was, when he was irritated, if we may trust tradition, at times somewhat profane.] With all his admiration for his young antagonist, however, one cannot help noticing that the generous and modest but astute counsel for the defence ended by winning his case.
Fortune showered many favors upon Mr.Webster, but none more valuable than that of having Jeremiah Mason as his chief opponent at the New Hampshire bar.

Mr.Mason had no spark of envy in his composition.

He not only regarded with pleasure the great abilities of Mr.Webster, but he watched with kindly interest the rapid rise which soon made this stranger from the country his principal competitor and the champion commonly chosen to meet him in the courts.