Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-08-22
From the N. Y. Com. Advertiser, Aug. l6.

this morning, of announcing an event TO
which we have for some months looked
forward with sad anticipation, aud for
which The readers Of this and others Of
the city papers must have been in a
assure pre- pared. William Leet Stone,
since April, 1920, the editor, in-chief of
the Commercial Advertiser, died yester-
day morning, at the residence Of his
father in-law, Rev. Mr. Wayland, at
Saratoga Springs. His age was 50
II years.
/ Mr.. Stones long and painful illness
was chiefly caused by excessive devo-
ton to the tolls of the study--to unre-
mited labor Of the mind-the injurious
effects of which were not couuteracted
by sufficient exercise Of the body. His
employment in the editorial room re-
II quired as many hours OF each day as
should be devoted TO wearing mental oc
cupation but for the last four or FIVE
/ years il had been his practice to shut
himself in his library at home, immediate
| ly after dinner, and there remain until a
late hour Of the night, toiling among
books and manuscripts, 10 the prepara-
tion Of the historical volumes which have
given him an honorable place among the
authors of The country. His memoirs Of
Red Jacket and Of Joseph Brant, com
pleie and extensive as they are TO the
reader, involved to the writer the neces.
sity of seeking out, consulting and com
/ pairing masses OF material, published and
unpublished, to which the volumes them
selves bear hardly an appreciable pro-
portion {; and these memoirs formed bui
part of an extensive plan, TO the prellpi-
| nary studies and researches for which he
gave his days and nights with unwearied
assiduiiy Nor was this all. The i'm
poriant and laborious duties of his office
in connexIon with the public schools ex-
acted from him much time and me nta
exertion and beyond all these, he was
ever ready to meet the frequent calls
that we've made upon him in The service
of benevolent and literary institutions
to do any thing, in short, that lay within
his power, for The promotion of any good
cause to which his aid was solicited.
\ Such continuity Of effort, and Of such
a kind, must needs have doleterious
effect upon his health. So long ago as
last October he began to experience
symptoms which indicated the necessity
of repose and the Wig liant use Of medical
restoralives but though The indications
of serious arrangement continued d through
\ the Winter, often interrupting his labors
both Of home and of the Office, his inter-
vals of rest snd care for himself were
CONNIE nsurate only with the positive in
ability which enjoined them though
rarely free from pain or weakness, be-
persevered in hnrilnl devotion to his
various employments until AZ last, early
in the Spring, he found himself obliged
To abstain from labor and give serious at
ten,ion to the repair of his broken con-
stilu,ion. The result has proved that it
was then too late.
\ For some time previous to his removal
from New York to Saratoga, which was
in June, he had been confined TO his bed;
and we believe that through all the fuc-
iuations OF his disease at the Springs, he
was able to sit up oEly occasionally, and
Il for few minutes at time. For two or
three. weeks, and until Saturday last, his
family and medical attendants were en-
couraged to hope that he was making
slow progress toward recovery, but on
that day most unfavorable symptoms came
on, and yesterday morning, about 8 o.
clock, he passed away suddenly, as he
was lifted from his bed to sit for few
moments in an easy chair.
Il This is not the time, nor should the
L duty be assumed by the writer Of this
notice, Of preparing the suitable obituary
euogium but it may be proper to say
Il that ~ an association of more than ten
| years the writer has been almost a daily
witness Of admirable qualities in his de-
! parted friend, which, though less obvious
To mere casual observers than in some
men, never failed To manifest themselves
with increasing power as acquaintance
! ripened to intimacy and friendship. lie
had most warm and friendly heart no
man would take more pains TO serve or
I oblige none could find more pleasure
in performing acts Of courtesy aud kind
ness Though somewhat reserved in his
intercourse with strangers, he soon con-
,racted and inspired friendship; and
| among his friends he was sngularIv
cheerful, pleasant and ready TO promote
whatever tended 10 the general ENJOY
ment Perhaps no man ever had lar
4 ger or more attached circle Of persona
Il friends, or made himself more welcome
in general society
Il or all literary men known TO the wri-
II ter, Mr.. Stone was the most absolutely
Il free from opluionatlveness and literary
/ jealousy ar conceit Though sensi,ive
to unlriendly criticism, suggestions or
corrections offered in good will he al
n ways accepted with even n singular
readiness /; aud though his reputation
entitled him 10 play the censor, he was
ever ready 10 praise others even at the
II expense Of his own proie ssional standing
III tie enjoyed success and distinction and
was always promp, TO afford Others par
ucipatlon in the same enjoyment
\ A. a professional associate be was re
4 markably accommodating and agreeable:
ever ready 10 obliee, to surrender his
own opinions or wishes, and quick to &C
kuowledge Efforts to please or serve him,
the writer of this notice feels il his duty
Il To say that in more than ten years Of busi-
ness fellowship Mr. Stone never gave
cause for n moments disconieDt, or 10.
H V,erposed the slightest obstacle 10 harmony
aud the most escoleIt mutual relations.
II owe arc against every thing ,ha, tue