Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-04-15


CHARACTER AND LUsUs NATURE.
The Astor House - wonderful place, the pro-
pristors are wonderful fellows, Stetson is a marvel
in the way Of talent and cvty the inmates are pecu-
liar each intheir way and toa wandcrer like myself
the establishment is altogether subject of the most
amusing and delightful study and observation. l
time have made the acquaintance Of most of the "re-
gulars," and many Of them are decidedly among
the . curiositiss Of the age" ! propose to give
your readers a brief outline Of their beauties and
blemishes, and this communication will be devoted
to two who are altogethert the "ions" Of the house
The first, whom denominate f" aCharacter,"is 4
very remarkable individual. As as | can ascer-
tain he was " shown to the light" somewhere in New
England, the offspring Of parents with that
has been watchword and passport in all times Of
national peril was nursed, fed and clothed, and
learned to walk and talk much other children are;
to school to the academy and 10 the college,
and in process Of time he graduated, and behold he
is nature in all the attributes that adorn him who 10
the image of his maker" The light Of his genius
soon burst the cerements" OF the "busheli and he
was looked upon as the brightest star of his time,
which was but "the prologue to the great hereafter
He married lovely and accomplished girl, embarked
upon the ocean of literature, and his adventures
been ranked among the most lite
ofour country. His sojourn here at this time APP
pears to be solely for the purpose of facilitating his
design Of doing the greatest good to the greatest
number" New York il the head quarters Of litcra-
ture, the arts, sciences commerce. mechanics loco
focOism and fine women (accOraing to Mrs. Gove)
and here he has "pitched his tent" His talents are
exalted, but his lberay excels his bene is
boundless, and when / tell you thafthe principal
literary and political journals in this city, Boston,
Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond and
Bangor! are mainly sustained by the eRATUIToUs
contributions of his pen, you will readily admit the
fact" astonishing as it may appear, no man could
write much and lowell in the ordinary manner; he
is forced from the rapid flow Of his thoughts to write
altogether in short hand.
His manners are peculiarly his own /; there is
bland complacency that sinks to the heart his smile
is eloquence and his voice music ; he has item OF
news to communicate to every one and his great
desire seems to be- to be the first TO imPart it, and in
this his disnterestedness is plainly developed, for
he very frequently risks the loss Of his dinner for the
pleasure Of going around among his fifty friends at
table to show each letter By express from Congress
the "seat Of war;" regardless of his soup, fish,
roast or entrees There are few men who can pay
compliment without appearing to intend II such;
but he will do Ii in such manner that is willing
to forgive the sentiment for the tact and ingenuity
with which it is conveyed. In his private relations
he is model worthy of all emulation. Although not
blessed with pledge Of mutual love" his fondness
and devotion to his wife 10 undiminished since the
first dreamy hours of his wedlock, and though tits
his fond embrace, his minds eye gazes enrap-
tured upon her sweet face, and the ear Of his
Imagination hears her loved tones, and the
Of his fancy clasps her fairy waist and feels
The swelling emotion Of her fond bosom =
In conversation he is inexhaustible, for when the
ordinary topics appear to be consumed, his kind
feelings immediately sugReV what Always an
agreeable vr,oe, HIMSELF and here he is truly elo
quent; you never think Of egotism, for though in
almost any other person il would appear so and
naturally become tiresome, in him il is charming
feature; his life has been a chequered, so
pregnant with events, and sunny BESIDES that the
listener is always sure to be enchanted. He is an
orator too, his form is dignifed, his forehead ex-
pansive his mouth broad, nose Roman, his eyes dark
ind full, and at times flashing and fiery; his voice
sweet and Of great compass, his manner impressive,
ais readings accurate to fault, and he always
hands the most profound and silent attention, and il
,is sound arguments, logical reasoning lighted and
,eautified by sublime figures and tropes, could be
heard by every one, change would come over the
ace Of Of the antagonist parties Of the day. he
with all these pre-emnent qualities, a very child
It times; he plays with children, dogs, and marbles;
,oquettes with the young misses and plays upon the
pipe and discourses eloquent music with his vocal
powers; he is gay and sportive, full Of wit and
,artee drinks toasts and smokes cigars, and nover
doses sight Of the Chesterfeldian laws that govern
he intercourse Of gentlemen; his opinions
and when given, always with modest
iifidence Of his Judgment in fine he is scholar
poet, a musician, a satirist, fond husband warm
riend an ingenious companion, rich in all the trca-
lures Of knswledgs and decidedly the heart Of every
circle in the Astorif he only possessed some slight
ingc Of curiosity now, he would be "'mazin curss"
know the artist who has drawn his picture, but he
las no curiosity--is'nt he charactera
A VIRoINIAE.
The LUsUs NATURE in my next.