Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-11-29

" VhOA1AIvU VI yin Oh = ~ n ~
widespread, distinguished lady Of Portland took pain.
to obtain an Introduction, by visiting the steamboat in which
she learned he to take his departure few moments
have wished 10 you said she 10 Mr.. Prsnts fol
my heart has often congratulated the mother who has such
son. Rather congratulate the having such mo-
heartfelt
No perhaps lived who received greater mum.
Der OF personal compliments than Mr. Prens bot be always
received them with that peculiar and dignity eminent
in his reply to he lady of Portland. One day in New Or
leans met him in the street, leading by the hand his
sons remarkably beautiful children. struck with THAR
evident resemblance their aher and compimensd him
upon it, 'Ah, said he, with the fondest look of seclon
they have the light hair and blue eye of the
robber they American boys
"The merits Of Mr.. Prentas lawyer will perhaps ex-
cept by his intimate professional associates never be
justly appreciated because his brilliant oatoscsl powers
ethe majority Of persons ose sight Of the solid structure
that was buried under the ornament prouss Had Mr..
Prentas been entirely destitute Of Imagination, his fame
would probably have been less extsndsd but still b. Wop
dss.6s dsss ssalsd = 'oss me a s a
te in perception. Like skul artist, hs auded 10 ~
guise hi labor, but man more usefuY more squsay
e0nsrnsd the midnight Of and hs msmo,y wss g tens.
cious that what he gsered up in his mind
could upon the instant be called into Whatever might
have been his quicknsss Of paee, his almost instructive
knowledge Of whatever subject before him, yet his OPP
the sboous research conquer any difficulties in hs
path, and that be taken by surprise in the vast
abyrnths Of investigation peculiar to the legal profession.
Preniss when young in years and young as lawyer,
appeared before the Supreme Court Of the United States and
his psadnss in spite Of his youthful FIRE and hghywrought
fancy, were happily fortified by deep reading and deep
thought instantly attract the notice Of Chief Justice Mar
shall and called forth from that master mind involuntary
praise.
His opinion Of the dignity Of his calling be frequently sd
verted in his public speeches He often skeched the law-
yer who should possess qualification that adorns
the character Of man. He looked upon the profession
tsctor and the dsneator Of the rights Of the people, and the
noblest field for the cultivation of the intellect"
81 had the melancholy pleasure Of hearing his last. and it
seemed to his greatest speech Towards the close Of the
last Presidential campaign found him the interior Of the
State endeavorng TO recruit his declining health He had
been obliged TO avoid all public peakng and had gone far
into the country to get away from excitement But there
was gathering near BY his temporary hoe and he con-
sented to be present It late in the evening when he
ascended the stand which supported by the trunks Of
magnificent forest trees through which the setting
poured with picturesque effect The ravages Of i'll health
apparent upon his face md his high massive forehead
three four hundred person composed in large
degree Of bis old and early friends He seemed to feel deeply
and there nothing to oppose be assumed the style Of
the mild and beautiful He casually alluded to the days Of
his early coming among his Southern ends to the hours Of
pleasure be had passed. and the hopes the future In
few moments the hustle end confusion natural aguing
day Of political wransng ceased ssgsler after another
suspended his noisy denomination and gathered the
speaker Soon of silent but heartheavng humanity
crowded compscy before him. Had Prentss, that
OCCASION held the very heart strings Of bis auditors in bis
haLd he could not have had them in his power For
hour he continued rising from important subject "a
another until the breath fairly suspended in the
element An unnterested spectator would have supposed
that be had used sorce 10 thus ans6xing his auditors.
While all others forgot he noticed that the day drawing
close he turned and looked towards ihs setting
aporophizsd it, fsdpg Glory hm, n hi mosl touching
voce and nAnnss, eeneaedsd - 6onowy lin
Friends shst sIoGDus ssb roandu e hat ~ - =
spent and that |, too mua clcss. HI ~ paat III &
that il may b our rood fortuns " - -
splendoi, and that when IL svening Of k couSS W. S
sink with the clouds that close n our departure gold
tipped with the glorious efuIgence Of well spent life.
In conclusion, would ask, will historian, who
npathize with the noble dead, gather the Aeeng
MORALS that still live in memory that future generations may
know something Of the mighty mind of Prentiss ,
The remains of the be imperfect the
of voice. the flashing eye the OCCASION and the mighty shou
Of the multitude, how these be perpetuaed But st
Penss has left enough in bis brilliant show pos
teriy that be every inch Let his fragmentary
printed speeches. let tho "reminiscences of his friends thai
treat of his power orator be brough together and
satisfactory they may be- there will be found left inrnc
value enough TO accomplish the object There will be in s
Auted column, though shattered and deacsd, an Tonin
beauty that will tell unensy Of the magnificent temp
once diffused.