Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-01-23

v" 'ho h"nioTy oI Mh FINN, Written oy ..
+. Otis, Esq, from which we make the fol-
lowing extracts.
HENRY J. FINN.
The hand that commences this parngrapb
was perhaps The last that was ever graspsd
by the amented Finn, in friendly cordially,
upon earth. lie arrived in this city, from
perllous journey across the Alleghanies, on
Sunday lust, aud from the moment Of his ar.
rival, I'LL his departure, on Monday evening,
by the il-futed Lexington, we were constant.
ly together.-On Sunday evening, We made
several visits at the houses Of mutual friends
in this city, and at each and oil he was the
life of the social circle. Ever exuberant and
warm, his mrth, upon this evening, WAS even
more genial than usual, and the last night he
passed upon earth was, perhaps, among the
most cheerful and happy of his life We
shall never cease to congratulate ourselves
that this bright night it was ours TO share
with him who made it so
We have known Mr. Finn many yesrs,and
have enjoyed in hi' society many delightful
HIS comic powers were very great. Ills
perception Of the ludicrous was more keen
than that OF any other person with whom we
have ever conversed, personally, or through
his writings. The ready Jest, the npt and
timely pun, the equivoque which always
raised the hearty laugh, and the sarcasm,
which, though it never failed 10 hit its mark,
was yet never so severe as to rankle where
It struck, were always at his command
But II was not as comedian, or as hu.
morlst, that we find our departed friend most
strongly associated in our memory. Ills wit
sparkled no less brightly in depicting the
more serious and sombre phases OF human
character. Who has ever witnessed that
exquisite personation of Monsieur Jaques,'
or that truly wonderful embodiment of char
acter,-his Philip Garbois, without tears Of
pity aud of joy commingled? Oh no! If
the comic power of the actor could set the
table in roar or raise The ploudns Of a
crowded theatre, the touching tenderness of
the most feeling Of hearts, when embodied
by that same actor, could melt to tears the
congregated mass Of auditors with the same
facility! In these parts he was unrivalled.
As a poet and n painter. Mr.. Finn acquired
a no ordinary celebrity. His pen was never
idle, and two Of its productions, a Tragedy,
founded upon the history of Joanna Of Ma
pies, and an Opera, the music of which is The
composition of our townsman Mr. {. f. Horn
are now all ready for presentation to the
public.
The landscapes in oil, and in water co'ors,
OF Mr.. FINN, were Of a very high order OF
merit. We have seen several that would vie
with the much.lauded efforts Of high named
masters. lie had the faculty Of sketchinc
the most speaking likonesses Of persons, and
his miniatures upon ivory are very deicately
done. His power of hitting of given char.
acter by pencilled sketch was remarkable,
and in comic dosigu he shared the peculiar
talent of Cruikshank
Mr.. Finn was well educated scholar, and
was an adept in many arts aud sciences which
we have not yet enumerated, and to which
we have only space and spirits, at present,
briefly to advert. IIc was the inventor of
some improvements in mechanics, and in the
exact and speculative sciences has given
proof of deep research and highly cultivated
intellect. in all the private, domestic, and
social relations of life, in the character Of
father, husband, and fricnd,-ns well as in
thnt Of citizen, he was ever, un,mpeachablv,
model for universal imitation. He equally
adorned tile public and the private relations
which he sustained. While it was his con.
slant aim to render those dependent upon
him happy in mind, and easy in circumstan-
ces, he was yet constantly at the disposal of
his friends, and the public, to enhance the
enjoymonts of the festive circle, or to throw
a cheerful glow around tho private fire side.
But alas. where is now our Yorckn
81 knew him well, iloratio! A fellow Of
infinite Jest aud most excellent fancy
Where be his jibcs now' Ills gambols p,
His songs? His flashes of merriment, that
were wont TO set the table on roar ?"
But we must desist. We have fingered
over these memories of our lost friend, with
a melancholy satisfaction "thut grew by
what il fed on" we could do so for hours
longer: but we must postpone further re.
nlnisconces until another opportunity. -
Meanwhile, as we reflect upon the many
merry hours we have spent in his society,
"Like fields, refreshed with dewy light
When the sun smiles his last,
His parting presence makes more bright
The memory Of the past" J. r. o.