The North-Carolina standard., 1850-07-27
,sIRsNoDERTnrEEs.

Sir Robert Peel was, at the aaomsssaf kis death,
the most prominaps political person n Great Brain,
although in aPrivats shiion and possbly bis death,
more Than any intrinsic stFeagth Of heir own, will
confirm in their places the actual Ministry OF the
Queen, which seemed on the point Of dissolution.
But to the writer Of these lnes-for many years
the schoolfellow of Sir Robert Pee-the tidings Of
his death fahght less with sorrow for the loss
Of an eminent aud honest public, man, than with q
sense and "reminiscences Of earlier days. when neither
the scorpions which the most coveted wreaths of Po
litcal success conceal within their spacious round.
It is sad pleasure to recall him as he was nearly
half century ago-the ligh,-haired blue-eyed, fair
complexioned, smiling, good-nasnred boy--indolent
somewhat as to physical exertion, but overfowing
with mental energy, and gifted with most remarks
BILE facility of acquiring knowledge. What cost to
others hours of severe study, seemed to be acquired
by him at once and acquired, was appropriated
for ever. His habits school boy were less gre
garious than those Of schoolhoys generally. While
others, in the hours of recreation were engaged in
cricket, football, huntthe-hare other violent boz
diIy exercises, he would be wandering off alone,
stroing through the fields and along the hedgerdws
communing with nature-possibly with himsel-but
every now and then knocking down bird with
stone, at which he was great accept.
Among those of his own age and standing In the
school-Harrow-were Lord Byron, the present
Duke of Devonshire then Marquis Of Harrington; /;
the present Duke of Grafton then Lord Ipswich and
whom he, the untitled son of the cotton spinner-old
"Parsley" Peel-was Peer in every sense, but that
of artificial rank and station. e. f-..
1t is among the merits of an English public school
that it teaches practically and indelibly that best
lesson-that capacity, conduct and diligence, and
rank title, give precedence and reputation. Among
some three hundred boys-the Peer was of no more
consequence than the Peasant-except as he could
stand, or 60 alone. ...
Peel soon asserted and always maintained his su-
periority as scholar-the Classics almost the
only study at that day, but they were studied
purpose, and with some results. Peel mastered their
languages and their literature, their poetry their his
tory, and thoroughly familiar was he with them,
that it has happened to the writer than once,
after halfholiday, when each boy Of the upper
Greek verses-to Peel surrounded, while the
school bell yet ringing, with boys who had neg
ected their exercise calling upon him to supply them
which he did-writing now Latin now Greek, with
as much facility and accuracy, as though it was his
mother tongue, and upon every day topics.
His superiority as scholar was tempered BY the
easiest good nature and the readiest smile. He was
not, however, an impulsive boy, nor ever in excess
Of any sort. He was physically indoent-and there
fore rarely in mischief, exposed to the of
the master, standing in marked contrast in that
pect with Lord Byron, who was perpetually getting
in mischief.
From Harrow, in 1901, possibly 1906, Peel pro-
ceeded to the University of Oxford, and after having
graduated there with distinguished honors, entered
upon the of politics. which he has so success
fully and disinterestedy pursued peerage
when he left the ministry, preferring, with right
minded common sense, which has always tempered
and given efficiency his genius-to be known here
after by the name he has rendered ilIustrious-Rob-
ert Peel.
With many years of usefulness yet within his
power, with the enjoyment of the highest human
prosperity, general consideration, happy family, re-
fined tastes, and unbroken health, he is swept by
blow, and in an Instant from the earth and-e judict
he leaves not behind in England the man who can
fill his place. ~ Y. Enquirer and Courier.