Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-07-25

few years longer or had his health for few years
past suffered him to execute the great purpose he
had designed, the recorded evidence of his pow
er would have rendered unnecessary any alluson,
for the sax of his fame, to his more private en-
deavors. That he did not accomplish his cher
ished intentions must lie regarded peculiarly un-
fortunate to the cause he espoused from the TACT
that the philosophy on which his dearest hopes
were based and to which his life was devoted,
has hitherto been announced iragmentary
form, which carries with it but little of the inlu
ence that would attach tn a complete and rounded
system. But 1t was in the texture room tina; his
most patient lab0rs were expended, aud an inilu-
ence has thence gone forth that will never die,
The logical power with which his reasonings
were enforced, the fervid though mdest elO-
quence of his manner, the beauty, melody and
perfect symmetry of his styIe aud, more thnn all,
the unspoted purity, the calm, selt-posscs,ed dig
nifty and the uncqunled greatness, in all s best aud
most enduring elements of his character gave
weight to his instructions which never failed to
sink them deeply into every mind that had
power to comprehend their scope. In his privale
conversations with his pupils bengniy of spir~
il, a cheerful yet trenuoUs anxiety for their high.
est being, and an address bespeaking n soul
surrendered TO the great truths on which he sought
to ground all human endeavor lent 10 his speech
a power from which no one who heard him ever
sought to be released. BY oil his intercourse with
those who sought his acquaintance or his guidance,
moved and had his being, received n sanction be-
yond the power of words TO impart or to impeach.
While he RECOGNIZED and in his own life dschar'
ged with fearessness aud independence, oil the
duties imposed by his relations to society and the
civil institutions under which he lived, the max
inns of worldly wisdom formed neither the rule
Of his conduct nor the text OF his teaching. To
those who sought his counsel for their guidance
in life his words were ever the same,--to ground
theii action, no matter in what sphere of life they
might be engaged upon the grent, eternal princl-
Piles OF Right to love, and with all chase am
bition, to strive after that which was good and lor
ever true ;--nevei to allow the glimmerngs of a
short-sghed expedency TO dim the living light
of Conscience to turn their gaze from the fixed
splendors of Duty and of Truth and TO preserve
in all their ways that unbending integrity, that
stern, uncompromising, fearless love of justice
and OF purity without which all worldly success
is but hollow bubble. This was the spirit Of all
his words: this was the language Of all his life,
Many there are who, at his feet have drunk il in
and in whose hearts its power is even now swell
ing and expanding and fitting them TO re-proclam
it, in words, in books and in acts, whose influence
shall endure through time.
In his personal appearance DR.. Marsh was tall
and slightly STOPPING, His features were small,
his eyes of mild blue, his countennnce indicative
of severe, retired and constant thought, and his
forehead high, broad and projecting to most re-
markable degree. His features end the general
appearance of his head more nearly resemble u
portrait of the German Kant, published in the
London edition of his Crque,'' than any we
have ever seen. Almost every thought of his
death has recalled TO orr mind these beautiful
lines in alusion to Colerdge from Wordsworh's
Monody on the death of the Ettrck Shepherd:
" The rdpt one Of the 0odlike forehead,
The Hedren-eyed creature, sleeps in earth"
His manner was mild and indicative of warm
and noble feeling. In public speaking he made
feeble, and his sentences fell from his lips with ?
musical melody W hicI not seldom became monot-
onous but never unpleaslug lie often seemed
hesltahng and timid to an excess but 1t was
from no lack of confidence in The truths he pro-
pounded, but trembling distrust OF his own a
bty to give them all the weight with which he
felt in his heart they should be enforced. But up
on any question of politics, of social interest, OF
morals or of religion, he would argue with ogi-
cal closeness and power of thought we have
never known surpassed. Errors which he deeul-
ed injurious to The interests he had heart
when they approached the sphere of his ubors
were assailed with euressness and self-iorgetting
earnestness
He has gone TO his rest but he has left behind
him the labors Of life which, more than any
other we have ever known, may serve as model
in all time to come. His Manu. his labor- and his
death will long dwell IN rene entrance and, while
one of those whose lives aud whose characters he
has aided to form by his teachings aud example
lives 10 hear It, their mention will always awaken
feelings oil the ssddest aud most sncred regard. -
He died as he had lived and both his life aud hiu
denh illustrate the truth OF these beautiful line.
by Colcridge:-
|
How seldom, friend, good great inherits
Honor or wealth with all his worth aud pains
It sounds like stories from the land of spirits,
II any man obtain that which he merits,
CT any merit that which he obtains.
For shnme dear friend renounce this con,ing strain
What wouldst thou have good great man obtain
Place! titles? salary? gilded chain?
Or thrones Of corses which his sword hath slain
Greatness and goodness but ends!
Hath he not always treasures, always friends,
The great good mani Three treasures LOVE- and LiGHT
And CALM THOUGHTS regular as infants breath
And three firm friends more than day and night
HIMSELF, his MAKER and the Angel DEATH.
Dun nl, H.