New-York daily tribune., 1842-08-10
T lie TRIB u NE.


OF JAMES MARSH, h d By JOHN WHEELER, D. ID.
President Of the University Of Vermont Burlington,
Chauncey Goodrich: New-Ysrk, Dayton& Newman.
This is the title Of excellent Grafton delivered
at the Funeral of the late distinguished Professor
OF Philosophy in the Vermont University. Presi-
dent Wheeler College Associate of Dr.
MARSH, and for more than thirty years had enjoyed
his intimate personal acquaiatance-whic no man
was better fitted to appreciate. His knowledge of
the character Of his departed friend, his heartfelt
interest in the success of the great truths he la
bored so successfully to teach, and his eminent
abilities qualified him, in peculiar manner, to
prepare the valuable discourse which is now before
US The friends and admirers Of the late Profos-
sor viii fad it worthy tribute to bis memory and
containing instructive hints on topics of the high
est interest. The following passage unfolding the
real worth of the true Scholar and the error often
may always made in forming an estimate of bis
character, is worthy especial attention.
1t is not only because men may possess flesh
and sense that the highest qualities Of their charac
Ter more or less obscured to our vision bu. we
ourselves areso filled with thoughts and plans about
the present, that we cannot pause TO notice and
study the character of our friends. Itoften is not
sustain in them, that begin 10 open eur eyes to
their true character, and contemplate them in re-
ference to what goes before and what follows after.
And this is especially true of those retired scholars,
who are not frequently and constantly with US
Our aaention being occupied with the employmcnts
of life, we do not pause to notice any thing but
what Immediately concerns these employments.-
We are content to leave the character of others
unthought of orunexamined; or take up notices OF
their excellence, of their folly or wickedness,
from the opinions which the interests of sect or of
party have given them. How very often popular
Indignation becomes the distortng medium through
which good man is scen.-popular indignation
excited perhaps, only because, like a far-sighted
parent, he sought to guide and control the public
feeling to the best, and most useful ends How
often an accidental and momentary popularity is
the soul ground of the elevated rank, which we as
sign some fuvorite of ourfrends, and how often
we open our ears to public SANDER, or to private
scandal, and make them the witnesses upon whose
testimony we form our opinions of the worth, or
the weakness of those called great. 1t is thus,
that our eyes often holden, that we may not
know the excellence that really pertains to the men
Of our own day.
"lt is moreover true thatreal greatness is seldom
orneyer obtrusiye in its pretensions 1t is never
find its right place, and it does not therefore urge
itself into the front ranks of active and bustling
life. 1t is more allied to the divine wisdom which
shows itself oftenest and best, not in the tempest
and the earthquake, but in still small voice
OF nlnistering kindness-in the rain that falls, in
the dew that dstils. The spontaneous feelings of
the heart those which belong to the essential cha
racleristics of our humanity. and which draw forth
blythe most kindly influences the same in others to
meet and coalesce in oneness of spirit, that they
may proceed in harmony of opinion and action,
Issue forth only in hours of quiet in seasons of rest
and repose, The busy world, as it hurries on,
does not heed such, and therefore the man, who
possesses them is hidden from their eyes He re-
poses in the calmconscousness of his own strength
never using it, until he feels the time has come
which calls for its exercise, and then he comes
forhto guide and control Others or from his closet
gives his counses of wisdom and points out the
way of success to those, who rejoice in the active
toll OF busy effort. He loves not the hustle of the
comia, he delights not in the publicity of the fo
rum. Unknown though he seems to be, he quietly
unolds truths, and from the deep and hidden foun
hins ofhis own bosom pours forth the pure waters
OF living thought. Who hears the name of Caius
L;cus-and yet Scipio the conqueror of Hannibal,
speaks Of himself as bu. executing the designs OF
that philosopher Who recalls the name of Publius
Ngidius-and yet Cicero confesses that Nigdius
was the author of his noblest actions, and himself
the joyful executive of another's plans. And who
does not remember that after ALL it was the poor
w'se man, who saved the city! So true is it, that
the eyes of men holden, that they should not
know without earnest enquiry and deep reflection,
or without having the temporary veil of earthly
relations removed, the surpassag excellence that
belongs to those, who are the highest and the best
representatives of our humanity"
pS,,>, S,or $40 So,,r,,r,>, pp,py.s f,n,,n;ng cr,