Spirit of the age., 1853-05-11

have enabled him to rise above those influences
that hung like an incubus about him.
If he had then possessed what every young
man SO much needs in the hour Of trial and
tsmptalion-the counsel and sympathy of vir-
tuoas friendship, how different would have
been his fate but he did not. He sought
counsel and sympathy from Hawkins.
sWhS. Irving said Hawkins, one evening
rs they sat in their room talking the matter
over, 1t isn't possible you'd make such fool
ofyourself as to give mp TO the whining of
school girl! a pretty how-dy'e do indeed,
when man must renounce his manhood, ac-
lnowledre his inability to govern himself, and
all for a woman caprice.-These saintly phil
anthropists must have an exalted opinion OF
our self-respcct and rirtue, rs they term It, when
they generously offer toprop US up with written
contracts and pledges! Are we to have our
social intercourse circumscr6ed, cut and cor
nered to meet the views of every stilf-necked
religionist !?
what most exemplary pattern of human
meekness you would make, Irving, to place
vour leading strings into the hands Of Emma
Carson, surrender all claims to independence
md say-'Emma dear, cheerfuIly submit to
your superior wisdom and experience; what
ever YOU say is right. What in the devil is
about There's plenty as good looking, as
smart and not troubled with such sanity no
tons
And thus, with ridicule and sneers, was The
last hone of reformation destroyed. Thai
NIGHT Irving and Hawkins attended an oyste
supper at the Globe Coffee House, whert
they met some haf-dozen boon companions
Wine and wit flowed freely. Irving drani
deep to drown theyoicc of conscience and th'
tfSt naht for tfh TIE fst t fe Ss'i II his e Henri
Irving lUGs puttO bed drunk!
From that hour his career was downward
His visits at Mr. Carson's were soon dscon
tnued At the last interview Emma urget
him by all he held dear and sacred, by his hopes
for time and eternty-by every argument an(
inducement that warm and earnest heart coul(
command-to change his course OF life, AM
for moment it reused the remains OF man
hood within him, but there was chain otinftu
cnces-a power OF indulgence, that even tn
eoquence ofhis hearts love could not sever
lie left her with promise of reformation, ant
shortly after left p for the south.
About years after the foregoing incidents
two merchants from P-were returning
from New Orleans where they had been pul
chasing groceries. The day before the boa
arrived at Louisville, as they were seated o
the guards, engaged in conversation, an UNI
sual commoton was observed among the hand
on the main deck.
The two gentlemen alluded to, with sever;
others. went below to ascertain the cause {
the disturbance. They were told that on
ofthc fremon had A fit of deliriuln tremen'
and that the hands were tryingto confine hin
They stepped back into the engine room, an
there, reader, lay HENRY IRVING, tied to bal
of cotton writing and foaming in all the a9
onies of that dreadful maady! When tn
boat reached Louisville he was placed on
dray and conveyed to the hospital, where tt
next day he ended his life, calling down Il
most bitter curses on him whose rldicule ar
sneers had senced the pleadings OF Writ
and love, and drove him onto ruin,