The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-07-10
Esrly Deveiepnens - CAaracser.
Remarkahle RPonhacv.

Esrly Deveispnsns % Character. i.
A DemASkable RFoDAscy.
Dr.. Robertson published IN edition Of
xenophon's Anabasis, IN 1850. In the pre-
face he gives the following account OF the
youth who was = member Of ono Of his
classes. II 10 most interesting document,
and shows how the character which Col.
Fremont has ever exhibited, was formed, and
illustrates the early development Of the en-
ergy and talent that have borne him through
life:
"For your further encouragement, will
here relate very remarkable instance Of
patient diligence and indomitable perse-
verance.
"ln the year 1927, after had returned
to Charleston from Scotland, and my classes
were going on, very respectable lawyer
came TO my school, think some time in the
month of October, with youth, apparently
about sixteen, or perhaps not 80 much -four
tecn), OF middle size, graceful in manners,
rather slender, but we'll formed, and, on the
keen piercing eye, and q noble forehead,
seemingly the very seat of genius. The gem
tleman stated that he had found him given to
study, and that he had been about three
weeks learning the Latin rudiments, and
(hopiny, suppose. to turn the youths at
tcntion from the law TO the ministry had
resolved to place him under my care, Tor the
purpose Of Tearing Greek, Latin, and Mathe-
mates, sufficient TO enter Charleston College.
very gladly received him, for immediately
perceived he was no common youth, a. intel
ligence beamed in his dark eye, and shone
brightly on his countenance, indicating great
ability, and IN assurance OF HE future pro-
gress. at once put him in the highest class
just beginning TO read Cesar's Common
tsrics, and, although ut first inferior, his
prodigious memory and enthusiastic applica-
ton soon enabled him to surpass the best.
He began Greek at the same time, and read
with some who had been long ut it, in which
he also, soon excelled. In short, in tho
space of one year he had, with the class, and
odd hours with myself, read four books of
Caesar, Cornelius Nepos, Sallust, six books
OF Virgil, nearly nil Horace, and two books
OF Livy; and in Greek all Greca Minora,
about half of the 6rst volume Of Grnca Ma
jora, and four books Of Homer's Had. And
whatever he read he retained. II seemed to
me, in fact, as il he learned by mere intui-
ton. was myself utterly astonished, and 1t
the same time delighted with his progress.
have limited that he was designed for the
church, but when | contemplated his bold,
fearless disposition, his powerful inventive
genius, his admiration Of warlike exploits.
his love OF heroic or adventurous deeds, /
did not think it likely he would be a Minister
Of the Gospel. lie had not, however, the
least appearance Of any vice whatever. On
the contrary, be was always the very pattern
OF virtue and modesty. | could not help
loving him, so much did he cnptivate me by
his gcntlemanly conduct and extraordinary
progress. 1t was easy to see that he would
one day raise himself to eminence. While
under uy instruction, discovered his early
genius for poetic composition in the follow
ing manner: When the Greek class read the
accoun. TINT Herodotus gives Of tho battle
OF Marathon, the bravery of Miltiades and
his ten thousand Greeks raised his patriotic
feelings to enthusiasm, and drew from him
expressions which l thought were embodied,
few days afterward, in some we'll written
verses in Charleston paper, on that far
famed, unequal but successful conAic.
against tyranny and oppression and sus-
pecting my talented scholar to be tho author,
| went to his desk and asked him If he did
not write them, and hesitating at first, rather
blushingly, he confessed he did. then said
81 knew you could do such things, and sup
pose you have some such pieces by you,
which | should like to soc; do bring them to
me-" He consented, and in . day or two
brought me number, which | read with
pleasure and admiration ut the strong marks
OF his genius stamped on all, but here and
there requiring, as ! thought, very slight
amendment.
"I had hired mathematician to teach
hnfh him nd I
teach that sciencc,) and in this he also
made such wonderful progress that 1t The
end Of the year he entered the Junior Glass
10 Charleston College, triumphantly, while
others who had been stndying four wears
and more were obliged 10 take the Sopho-
more Glass. About the end Of the year i828
left Charleston. After that, he taught
mathematics for some time. His career IL.
terward has been one Of heroic adventures.
of hair-breadth escapes BY food and Geld !.
and Of scientific explorations, which have
made him world wide renowned. In . letter
| received from him vary lately, he expressed
his gratitude to me in the following words |:
am very far from either forgetting you or
neglecting you, or in any way losing the old
regard had for you. There 10 no time TO
which | 70 back with more pleasure than that
spent With you, for there was no time 80
thoroughly we'll spent AID Of anything m y
have learned, remember nothing % veil
and SO dictinctly ~ what acquired with
you.' Here cannot help saying that the
| merit was almost all his own. Il 6 true thu,
| encouraged and cheered him on, but IL 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 YOU'VE
friends, il an imperfect sketch Of my once
beloved and favorits pupil, now Senator,
and who may yet rise to BE- ct the head d
this great and groving Republic. Ny
prayer Is that he may ever Do opposed "a
war, injustice and oppression Of every kind
blessing to his country, and and IN exam
pie OF every noble virtue to the Who'll,