Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-11-30

The following affecting letter written for
the New York American by friend Of Mr..
Groom and his family, who were numbered
among those who pershed in the steam ship
Home, is worthy Of being ranked with what
has already appeared in relation to tho dread
ful su1erings Of these who were lost in this
almost unexampIedwrec The writer was
in company with Mr.. c. and his amabe ana
beautiful daughters a few evenings before
the awful calamity.
In the event of calamity like that Of the
steam ship Home, the friends of the unfortu-
nate sufferers are apt to consider those for
whom they are Immediately interested, objects
Of interest to all others. The writer Of this
sketch is one Of those who think so; andif
there be any case more touching than that
detailed below, it must be heartrending in
deed. ! became acquainted with II. B.
Groom. Esq. hat more thuna year ago,
while he was spending the summer at the
North, partially for the benefit of his heath
and to visit his children, who were ut school
in this city. Mr.. Groom was educated for
the North Carolina bar, but, possessing an
ample fortune, and general taste for litcra.
bern, together with his scientific pursuits, es-
pecially that of botany, Of which he was par
ticuarly fond, and upon which he has pub
lished several works, solely with view Of
extending the science. there ever was a
modest, nnpretending man, it was he. With
a mind of great capaciy,and with attanments
rarely excelled, he had the modesty of a wo-
man, and the simplicity Of a child. The cv-
ening prior to his departure on board that ILL
fated ship, | spent with him and his family,
consisting Of his wife, his w,fc's aunt and his
three children, the eldest of whom, daugh-
ter, had just completed her education ct Mad
anne Chegary's school. Any one who has
seen that lovely girl, will know how impossi-
bic it is to describe her. She was superla-
lively beautiful. Her mind was Of a superior
order, and her accomplishments were equal
led by few, and surpassed by none Of her age,
which was not far from sixteen. The second
was an interesting lad of about twelve. The
third was a daughter, yet child.
During the evening, they were speaking
of their in.endcd voyage with pleasure, and
anticipating an early return next summer
Miss Groom, all animation, her hair braided
and iestooned after the Swiss fashion, rs she
payiully moved through the well lighted
apartments, appeared like being that exists
only in romance, more than one who has an
abode on this ever changing planet. Mr..
Groom was describing The formation Of ia
vorite plant that lie had found in the recesscs
Of the everglades Of Florida, and giving j, its
proper botanic name. All was joy aud gaiiy,
IN forming plans Of pleasure for their return
to the North the next season, and during their
sojourn in Charleston the coming winter
How little did any one of that happy group
think that in less than three days from that
hour the accomplished Groom and that at
tached and united family, would be corpses
ashed by the pillows Of a raging ocean. Yet
such was the case. Their hopes, their fears,
their joys have ceased. The bowling storm
walled their destiny-thc old and the young,
the beautiful and the CAV. have ceased 10 live.
How truly does this awful calamity verify the
maxim Soia salas seruiu Dec. .5 .