New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-11-16

and ofsn over.spy.d them TIE riding Il the circuit,
which EtyG brought several irto company, An1 IT,
adventures OF the wsytde, gave l. tne bar ~
and Aghttearted tone Of sssocistou, ~hicn si@7ty
1ster.d the Oy DortunIy and tie inciasLJn l'f oou
vlvisl pleasures cay spelt UPON t1e roa1 "a ne'''
back. the custousry yiss msce . irenos ~ ne "-y
the est spo the cong the unchecked vvscity inspired
by this grouping together u kindred fpirfs-- Lsl
their SHARE ia inyartnF % tte brotherhood t1A' Ao
oi temper and recz estness % the mere s-tFI' az
sober comment o. the world, which, u VIII " &C
knovledgad Is dangerous - youth in proportion =
the % i az r1s IEen, toe c1ness o. ne -
which T.. iu The forum. q" occas % toeJ hJl4
"a for the d!spsy Of Wit bn1 eloquence and the con
graduation Of friends 90 many al 1itions. provo
cstvcs 70 that iuu guce watch iund Tree scope "neu
svarins DECUsht AL together uncer one I3oi, ID r.
hearse their pleasant adventures aud 70 st lowing the
currents II rnirth and good humor-"t make Eisat
Of H. - the phrase s. kept merry by tn san -hts
Of rood The bar yet retains sone :; i0ese cnsr
scteriitcs cut the present seLers may 'ut 'eeDy
conceive ths perva1ug and careless = y1ush"ss VIZ
which 10 that early time the members Of thsir mirth
fu craft pursued their business through country
si5e J mean no dspsrsgemeui u the learned ana gay
pTotesEor, but on the contrary me e2innen Auo1
a the Kindly spirit II its broth srhJod Vh%n sby
that in these Incidents Of is character and association
there rnanfes,ed something o. toe hgni n AIRED
uess and imyrovi'ence Of the Cdisshioned stroihng
theatrical companies The present. alton vii
basr witness % many anc aut sreen-room loke o.
the circuit Witch yet hos's abroad ia Virgin With
currency scarcely less notable than when i was nIst
csst of
William WIZ, xas well known In these fs1c.ations
Of Albemarle aud the Surrounding counties, n Ad'
rnired ob ctia tae Court House during t1e Gay CSC
ng spirit ia be veuiog cOteII" eloquent on Toe hru
OF Justice aiming his tents cause pitl suf"Nu
and soro.tirpes br sut tk not .ess p cent ~ N.
table or tho mess room. whore HE faculties 70 a'C"
10 exr atsie through another range ana where ne
gave fe.Ds 20 the Vit md mrth which shcoA the roe"
tree. We may not wonder that 10 the iympQslh ~
these dsys the grayer msyins 10 csuuon were lnr'
gotten ant that the enemy of human nApi ness A..
ways yng lurch 20 make prey Of the young 'nouid
.~H aud 4 T.
prsoucr ,-.
In that day have furnished food for much gross cli
ny IN regard 70 MIN, and have led 10 the fabrication OF
coare and disgusting charges Of vulgar eXcess which
am persuaded are utterly ground css he H'not OF
Mr. WAT have with regret, thst The most Oien
svc Of these inventions have sometimes been u'ed'
With many iancilul and absurd ala tOis OF clfclm
stance by Ddscreet aOts in the ~ temperance
VII, have seemed think 10 quite eXcussbe - repeat
and sRgrayae the most lmprooab" 81 these issehoods
Tor the ke Of the profit which tbey suppose may ac
crue 10 the world from the Of 1istu guishet name
b. point moral Of 'he story. While not seeking 20
extenuats the irregularities to which have alluded
beyond what they may fairly claim from the clrcum-
stances in which they were INDUCED, and, indeed
curing 10 m only with profound regret could not
allow the occasion before me 10 pass By without
this open and distinct denunc alton OF the oes nave
seen aud OF the terms OF wsntou and malicious eNag-
geratiOn IN which they have been repeated
The history Of Mr.. WIT Is closely interviewer
with the political history Of the United States
He was by native inclination, no less than by his
hobitua pursuits, averse to the strife Of party pol
.ics. 10 his predictions and convictions ne was
al old fashioned Republican Of the school OF JET
ferson. Madison and Monroe but he maintained a
wide and intimate intercourse with leading public
men Of all parties, and never allowed political dit
ierences 10 occasion personal "ooness or estrange.
meut The duty OF bis biographer has led him TO
touch upon many delicate po.uts connected with
the politics Of the country; and he invariably
handles them in an excellent spirit Of moderation
and iynpartia.ity. He has thus enriched his work
with generous fund Of historical "reminiscences,
which " IN always make l. iavo-ite with the
general reader in addition 70 the singular intrinsic
interes, OF the biography.
We have left ourselves no room 10 speak OF the
manner in which Mr. Kennedy has accomplished
the responsible task which he has assumed. We
can only express our satisfaction that the work
has fallen into the hands OF one who, by his sd-
mrable taste. genuine and thorough cultivation,
vigorous powers Of description, vide experience
Of affairs. and genial sympathy with bis subject
is 40 sinsulary qualified to do Justice to one o. the
oveliest and most elevated characters u hch have
adorned public life In this country.
We are tempted 10 make one more extract
which gives a pleasing specimen OF Mr. henne-
dy's facile aud polished style, and describes an
interesting phase Of the character Of his subject
In the prime of his life Mr. Win remarked for
his personal beauty. With a tall figure ample chest
erect carriage there was 10 great appearance OF
strength, but cons Picucus ease and grace
Of motion HE mead was large and in good proportion
70 his frame the features q MS lace strongly denuei
A large nose thin aud accura'ey formed hps, chm
whose breadth gave - his coun,ersnre ipPfoNlna
ton 10 the square rather than the oval outline clear,
dark blue eyes looking CAT beacatn oro"s oil WIDEST
compass, aud the whole surmouuied y al expanded
and mAest forehead, impaired dignity and intellect
ual pruminc nee - physognomy which the sculptor
des hted study curlrd crisp and vigorous growth
OF HAHN bis latter Gays almost white-clustered
upon his 'front.' sud gave an agreeable eheci II TIE out
liue Of his head snd lace
Toward the close OF HE life severe study and the
iuhmues OF his constitution had made visible trace
upon bis exterior lie lost somewhat OF MS hTm aud
per. endcular port his com leNlOn became salio~
his eye faded into shter blue, though II gre" even
kudller ia express on.
His letters 81 icently indicate the character Of his
manners. They were gentle, courteous ana winning
dis voice was clear and sweet, and yarously mOdula
ted by an ear OF the nnest musical perception. HIS
laugh never bosterous, was sly short sad iuA OF The
gAieiy II his temper. Few men ever had keener Ia
light OF the udicrous IL never escaped him. no Selef
lille he m shI be on tue wai,h Tor H. SteIne tJr MS
reason, amused him Trsirsm Shandy, and those eN-
euisie drolleres watch he in ambush in every page
were tbs most familiar rccollec;!ons Of ria reading
Many OF them may De found c0verty lurking through
ais letters
III, convers ston was ex ceeingly attractive Il sell
dom fell into discourse, but p!sye vita A. kinds Of
amusing topics IL suggestive, provoking thought
others and fortfyng them with opportunity 10 con
tribute somewhat 70 the purpose. from their own re
lection or memory. No man was more free irom that
odious habit OF endeAvorlug 70 say " smart things
which sometimes misesd even persons OF good rePuts
for sOciS talent.
Wits plsyfu.nen was contagious IL made his
friends forget The tine which running b., and
even the good cheer Of convyisl meeting An anus
Ing evidence Of this occurred IN Baltimore before be
became resident OF that city De was returning one
night about 10 o'clock, bis lodgings from vlsit,
wben his friend Meredith met him 10 the street AID
invited hin 10 join tS family party, al ais house,
81 supper. Writ, either dou5tU! whether his friend
In esrnest-ior tte character Of intercourse
between them Often rendered This oiihcult point -
determne-or struck with the inc0nzruy o. lis chai
lense 20 a supper when be about retiring 70 Dis
bed answered Meredihs invitAt u N l0ca A. way,
saying les, I'D Come, and Ia give you enough u
10 On Meredths return home ne found there Dr.
Ps;iison, who vas then aresidcnt Vi Baltimore, now
distinguished physician Of hsdelp his srd detained
hin % supper. VIII bad Rot come when The party
down 70 table and Msre1ii had ceased 70 expect
him. when near the conclusion Of toe supper be made
ais appearance he took b seat; ate very moderately
aud irsnk less Inc supper WAS removed, Snd Wiz;
gave lEumAtion - the aides who were present,
that 10 oed time. they had beits- retire. They