Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-10-13
From the Bardstotrn Ky. Herald.
Holm HAYES.

nsnecially allied 10 each other, has been affirm
Ell and seldom contradcted. This opinion ia
heu 10 the abstract, NAV appear paradoxical and
unfounded; for we would naturally believe, upon
svery principle VI sound reason, that great talents
gould first seek out their own advantage. and,
possessing superior power, would lind the read
lest means Of securing the end: but when We
look abroad in the world. we find abundant rea-
son to suspect the business of this conclusion
Certain it Is, that the greatest geniuses have been
referred TO by authors. as furnishing conclusive
ovidence that talents possess little or no advan-
tage in securing their pOsSeSsOrs from the most
poignant and amentable misery aud dlsresss.
Israeli, an English writer Of celebrity, has, IN
bis - MiSeriss Of. .9,thors," furnished very
ample fund of testimony on this subject, which,
however repuSnant It may be 10 our wishes. leaves
10 doubt on our Judgment. We will leave 1t to
our readers, however, to ascertain the causes OF
this singular anomaly In the moral world content
Ing ourselves with adding another TO the already
swollen catalogue Of unfortunate SenluSes, and
in very brief memoir of the late John Hayes.
we propose to give some account OF his remarka-
BILE attainneuts, in connexion with his miserable
life and his untimely death.
This distinguished but unfortunate person,
Vas born IN LunerbaTgh county, Virginia. in the
wear 1895. and removed to Nelson county, Ken
tuoky. two years after his birth. His parents,
Thomas and Agnes HAYES, have long resided
Nithn few miles Of BardstOwn, ut which lat
ter place the father may be generally seen du-
ring the session of courts. and on other occasions.
He is one of those plain. primitive, republican
hooking characters that remind Us of the men of
the revolution. few Of whom are still to be met
with in the United States, but are daily becom-
ing more rare. and will De. erelong, finally lost
in the increasing fondness of our poputati2n-Ea-:
rms Kind and indulsent parent taxed his lin
ited means to the utmost to give his son john in
whom the buds of promise had already began to
appear, good and liberal education. II was IL
happy accordance with his enlightened views,
that B0rdsfOicn, at that time could boast teach
er Of the most rare and extraordinary endo Hments;
one, in whom nature aud opportunity, genius
and talents had united to give TO the world ine
and perfect model Of a literary sage;-fur he was
- highly entitled by his intrinsic merits to thus
distinction, as any man that ever swayed the
oirchen sceptre, although know that Socrate-.
Milton and Johnson were OF that number Those
who have enioyed the advantage of personal
acquaintance with Mr.. James M'.7Hisier, a ma
tive of Scotland, will not think that have over
rated him by giving him place in such iiiustri-
Gus company. This great man has passed away,
and left no record behind him except that which
Is indelibly inscribed on the hearts If his Ella
tives and pupils: bat these are faithful and clio
quent meinorialistsl
Under the direction and care of precentor
so singulariY and profoundly qualified for the
onerous and responsible duties of his vocation.
young HAYES, in few years, gained very COM
petent stock of human learning. His frequent
recitdtions from Latin aad Greek authors, amply
proved not only how we'll he had spent his time
at school, but illustrated also the uncommon re-
All
eeived little assistance from study in his latte,
Years; for Hayes was a scholar mere by feeling
and inclination, than bv habit. Ia has darkest
and elooIpie,t hours of ineOriation for this spe
eies of intemperance became the sore bane and
affection OF his lifej classical quotation or al
fusion, accident'y dropped by one of his com
panions, would Immediately recall the Roman
and Grecan friends of his youth, and whilst his |
mind suddenly casting off the tolls which dissi- |
patton had thrown around it, would freely ex-
pand aud luxuriate in this. its happiest and most
congenial element, he would very clearly and |
affectingly demonstrate, how sincere and ardent |
had been the devotion paid by him at the altar of
ancient literature, in his younger and happier
years.
With the exception of what he gained from
the afectiona,e and paternal care If Mr.. M'Al- !
lister, Hayes received little assistance in his
studies from any human being; no rich man fur
hlshed him with means. nor great man with
counsel: to use hOmeIy figure. he was an I'm.
licked cub Of the wilderness. To the Honorable
John Rowan only did he acknowledge any obisa-
tons in the progress of his law studies; for that
gentleman, equally removed by his talents and
benevolence from all dread of jealousy or rival
chip. has ever shown himself the sincere friend
and willing patron Of Younger and less experien-
ced members Of the legal profession But HAYES
b.. g. Al Eli
good feeling of that great man;-his genius spurn-
cd control, and his independence needed no as
Nstance. His intellect did not, like .Niaerva.
spring full grown from the head of Its parent
God. but it was hardy and thrifty banting,
which soon cast of its leading strings. and walk
cal upright without their aid His mind seems
- have had what the shsmists call . Se@peaHa i