Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-07-17
Early Development of Character
A Remarkable Prophecy.

Early Development of Character
A Remarkable Prophecy.
DR.. Robertson published an edition of
Zenophon's Anabasis, in 1850. In tie pre-.
face he gives the following account of the
youth who was member of one of his class
es. 1t is mos: interesting document, and
shows how the character, which Col. Fre-
mont has ever exhibited, was formed, and
illustrates the early development of the en-
ergy and talent that have borne him through
life:
{" For youl further encouragement. will
here relate very remarkable instance of
patient diligence and indomitable persever-
ance.
ain the year 1927, after had returned to
Charleston frou. Scotland, and my classes
were going on, very respectable lawyer
came to my school, think some time in the
month of October, with a youth, apparently
about sixteen, or perhaps not So much Oour-
teen), of middle size, graceful in manners,
rather slender, but well formed, and, upon
the whole, what should call har rdsome; of
a keen, piercing eye, and a noble forehead,
seemingly the very seat of genius The
gentleman stated that he found him given
to study, and that he had been about three
weeks learning the Lstin rudiments, and
(hoping, | suppose, to turn the youths at
tention from the law to the ministry had
resolved TO place him under my care, for the
purpose of learning Greek, Latin and Math-
ematics, sufficient to enter Charleston Col
lege. very gladly received him, for | i'm
mediately perceived he was no common
youth, as intelligence beamed in his dark
eye, and shene brightly on his countenance,
indicating great ability. and an assurance of
his future progress. | at once put him
in the highest Class just beginning to read
Cesar's Commentaries, and, although at first
inferior, his prodigious memory and enthusi-
astic application soon enabled him to sur
pass the best. He began Greek at the same
time, and read with some who had been long
at it, in which he also soon excelled. In
short, in the space of one year he had, with
the class, and at odd hours with my: elf, read
four books of Caesar, Cornelius NepOs, Sal
lust, six books of Virgil, nearly all OF Ho-
race, and two books of Livy; and in Greek
all GrGca Minora, about the halt of the first
volume of Greca Majura, and four books of
Homer's Had. And whatever he read he
retained. It seemed to ME, in fact, as If he
learned by mere intuition. | was myself
utterly astoHished, and at the same time de-
lighted with his progress. | have limited
that he was designed for the church. but
when | contemplate his bold, fearless dispO
sitiou, his powerful inventive genius, his ad-
miration of warlike exploits, his love of he
roic and adventurous deeds, did not think
it likely he would be minister of the Cos
pei. He hud not, however, the least appear
ance of any vice whatever. On the con-
trary, he was always the very pattern Of vir
tue and modesty. | could not help loving
him, SO much did he caPtivate me by his
gentemanly conduct and extraordinary pro-
gress. 1t was easy to see that he would one
day raise himself to eminence. While un-
der my instruction, | discovered his early
genius for poetic composition in the follow
ing manner. When the Greek class read
the account that Herodotus gives of the bat
tie Of Marathon, the bravery of Miltiades
and his ten thousand Greeks raised his pa
triotic feelings to enthusiasm, and DIRE " from
him expressions which thought were en-
bodied, few days afterward, in some we'll
written verses in Charleston paper, on
til at far-famed, unequal but successful con-
fict agains: tyranny and oppression; aud
suspectng my talented scholar to be the
author, went to his desk and asked him L.
he did not write them, and hesitating at first,
rather blushingly, he confessed he did. |
:hen said: g knew you could do such things,
and suppose You have some such pieces by
you, which should like to see, do bring
them to me-" He consented, and in day
or two brought me a number, which | read
with pleasure and admiration at the strong
marks of genius stamped on all, but here and
there requiring, as | thought, very slight
amendment.
IL had hired Mathematician to teach
both him and myself, Qor could MT then
teach that science and in this he also made
such wonderful progress that az the end OF
one wear he entered the Junior Class in
Charleston College. triumphant!y. while
others who had been studying four years and
more were obliged TO take the Sophomore
Glass. About the end OF the year 1925,
left Charleston. Alter that. he taught math-
ematics for some time. His career after
ward has been one of heroic adventure, OF
hair-breath escapes by flood and Geld, and
of scientific explorations, which have made
him worldwide renowned. In letter | re-
ceived from him very lately. he expressed
his gratitude to me in the following words:
Il am very far from either forgetting you, or
in any way losing the old regard l had for
YOU. There is no time to which go back
with more pleasure than that spent with you,
tor there was no time 50 thoroughly well
spent; and of anything | may have learned,
| remember nothing so well and SO distinct
ly as what acquired with you Here l
cannot help saying that the merit was al
most all his own 1t is true that | encour-
aued and cheered him on, but if the soil into
which put the seeds of learning had not
been of the richest quality, they would never
have sprung up to hundred fold in the full
ear. Such, my young friends. is but an i'm
perfect sketch of my once beloved and fa-
vorite pupil, now Senator, and who may
vet rise to be at the head Of this great and
qrooing Republic. My prayer is that he may
ever be opposed to war, injustice and op-
preston of every kind, a blessing to his
country, asd an example of every noble viz
tue TO the whole world"
Sentence of death, says the Snow Hill
Shield, was passed bv Judge Spence, on