New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-10-14
DEATH OF JOHN l.. STEPHENS,

The death OF the celebrated traveller, JOIN
L. STEPHENS, Esq, which took place on Tues
day evening at the residence OF his father in
this City, will cause lively emotion of sor-
row, not only in the large circle of personal
friends to whom he was the object of distin.
guished pride and affection, but in the far wider
sphere of intelligent persons who have been in.
debted TO his admirable writings for rare and
valuable information, as well as mental enter.
tainment ofthe choicest character.
Mr. Stephens was born in this City in Novem-
Der, 1905, and had thus nearly completed the
forty-seventh year of his age. His father, Mr.
Benjamin Stephens retired merchant OF
wealth and probity, is now living at an advanced
age. Receiving his academical education at Co
lumbia College, at which venerable seat Of edl-
cation he graduated at an early age, he com
menced the study of the law with Daniel Lord,
Esq, in whose Office he remained for a twelve
month, and completed his legal studies with
George w. Strong, Esq, and at the Litchfield
Law School He was admitted TO the New-Y0rk
Bar in the year 1875. His health soon after
became impaired, which circumstance, con-
nected with a native love Of travel, induced
him to suspend the practice of his profess
sion and embark on an extensive foreign
tour lie visited England, France, Italy, and
Germany, and what at that time was an un-
common enterprise with American tourists,
extended his travels to the far East. The
record Of his Impressions was given to the
public On his return in the work entitled A" In
cidents of Travel" descriptive of Arabia Pc,
traa, Egypt and the Holy Land, which at
once gained reputation for brilliant sketch
ing and lively narrative, such as has not often
been equaled in the production of the most
experienced writer's. This work may be re-
garded as the pioneer of the series of Oriental
travels, which have since formed such at at
tractive department of English literature, and
though by some ofthem it may have been sur
passed in artistic finish and effect, in point Of
varied and perpetual destinations it may justly
be said not to have found its superior. A sub
sequent work with the same title on Greece,
Turkey, Russia and Poland fully sustained
the character of the previous one, placing the
author indsputaby in the highest rank OF In
telligent travellers.
During the administration Of President Van
Buren,, Mr.. Stephens was appointed special
Ambassador TO Central America, and avang
himself of the occasion, he engaged in the OK
animation Of the curious antiquities of that
country, in spirit of wise enterprise, and af-
forwards published the fruits of his researches
in those volumes with which his name is iden-
tilted and which now form noble monument
to his fame.
Mr.. Stephens had taken deep interest in
the construction Of the Railroad across tho
Isthmus of Panama, and from the commence.
ment Of the undertaking was President of tho
Corporation. He had resided on the Isthmas,
attending to the details Of the project until in
the month Of May last, he was prompted by
failing health to return to his native city His
illness had been Of an alarming character for
the last four months, and his death was not un-
expected to the friends who watched at the side
Of his sick bed.
The funeral will take place tomorrow at 81
o'clock, from St. ThOmas's Church.