Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-05-18
6eralo of the Gimcs
RH0DE-lSL AMDER;
Thursday Morning, May IS, lS4S.
NEWPORT.


We have not had an opportunity to read with
the attention it deserves Mr. II. G. HAzARp's
discourse before the r. |. Historical Society,
January 18th, ls4s, which commentaries tho
life, character, services, and writings of the
late JUDGE DvRrEE; but friend, who feels
strong admiration both for the orator and his
subject, has sent us the following. communica-
ton in relation to the Discourse, which it gives
us pleasure to publish:
Mr.. HAZARDS DISCOURSE have Pc
rused with pleasure and instruction the able
and ingenious Discourse before the Rhode Is
land Historical Society, delivered in January
last, by Rowland Gibson Hazard, Esq. The
exordiup is a beautiful and just tribute 10 the
memory of the Orator Of the preceding year,
the lamented and gifted DURFEE, Chief JUS
tice of the Supreme Court Of Rhode Island,
whose honorable and useful career in various
public stations has secured for his name en-
during fame and added lustre TO our small but
patriotic State, whose people have ever been
so true to the principles of civil and religious
liberty in Colonial times, under the Charter Of
Charles the Second, and ever since the estab-
lishment of that glorious Union, under the
Constitution framed by the Patriots and Sages
who emerged from the Revolution after their
true swords were sheathed, and performed
work Of intellect and wisdom more glorious
far m af tie that, thu
most splendid triumph of arms of which his
tory can boast. Although we may never cease
to lament that one so highly endowed by ma
turc, and with powers so various and so highly
cultivated, and which were consecrated to tho
glory of his native State should be, in tho
zenith of his fame, cut down by the Destroyer,
we must certainly bow to this dispensation of
Providence, and congratulate ourselves that
there are yet spared in our midst men who
emulate and admire the qualities which adorned
the character of that able jurist and profound
metaphysician, and, who, indeed, may aspire
to the emnencc which he attained among thu
master-sprits whose names posterity will de
ligh, to honor. OF these, appears conspicu
ously, the author of the Discourse we are nov
feebly noticing, who seems admirably calcula
ted to appreciate and elucidate the metaphys
cal theories and deductions of so peculiar an
spiritual mind as that OF Judge Durfet
whose I" Panidea" is made more obvious
the common intellect by his eulogist and moi
nj ,.,,tl, niyin. Day,l,,,n, ,lo, 20
would appear TO a mere casual reader, wi
could hardly follow out unaided the reasonin
of the writer to their just and legitimate CO
clusions. There seem to have been an extI
ordinary sympathy of mind and kindred aspil
tions after truth and the like enthusiasm in
solution of difficult points in Ethics and Me
physics between Judge Durlee and the a
and dexterous exponent of his works whetl
they be either imaginative or logical. A
gular originality of thought, a power Of
preston, a beauty and aflluenco Of imag
distinguish alike the author of Iangusg
and the author of 90 Whatchcer'. The forr
has won golden opinions by several ether p
lications in pamphlet form delivered bel
Lyceums and prepared in the midst of busin
cares, but which are distinguished for bea
of style and purity and business Of sentim
His estimate of the philosophical charactc
the gifted aud amented Charming (another
of Rhode Island) was noble tribute of n
TO mind both Of which were formed in
common mould The pursuits of Dr. Cham
IL is well known were, from early yo
purely theological and literary, and he acqu
in these departments of investigation wd
wide reputation. His education was clas
and no son of Harvard has won a pro
name in the Republic Of Letters. Yet
eminent man estimate of his future Eul
was such that, on the appearance of /"
guage", by " lIe,oroscan", that disc
mating and remarkable mind sought at
communion with kindred spirit, and sod
acquaintance was formed which speedily
ell into the closest and warmest frendsh
The author of Language has been some
cited as remarkable instance of selfcu
and as never having enjoyed early advar
of education. This is quite erroneous, &
though he never passed through Coll
course, Mr. ii. enjoyed, in youth, all tn,
efts of the best academical course which
generally the utmost, in those days, tha
affiuent Friends thought advisable in in
tual culture. Like the true Poet III
whose genius has been partially smoth,
the busy whirl of Commerce, and who
so full of Promcthean fire, has been nece
devoted TO the means Of pccuniary supp
the Lcgcrs of Barker and an Astor
iest) the gifted author of Language has
from early youth been engaged, unrcmi;
in extensive manufacturing pursuits,
works have been generally written viii
elling on business through the States
Union. Thus was his leisure employed
benefit Of his fellow beings, although it
feared at too costly a sacrifice of the
man. We state these facts for the bq
others and a, the hazard Of displeasing