Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-06-04
wilkins TannehflI,

The death of this venerable citizen, though
not unlocked for, is a source of sadness to the
city, and especially to the older members of
the community who had the advantages of
long personal acquaintance with him, and
familiar knowledge of his many excellent
qualities. After long and useful life, dur
ing the last two or three years of which he
was measurably cut of from active associa-
ton in society by afliction, he gives up his
place, retires from the stage and takes mp his
mysterious journey to the land of the Here
after. He acted well his part and passed
from this life to the other, with all the rich
fruits Of an upright and virtuous lifetime clus-
tering in mellow ripeness about him.
The deceased was born in Pittsburg March
year. He came to Nashville at an early day,
and soon after became connected with the
periodical press. AS an editor, he was always
distinguished for profound thought, frank and
manly argument, and pure and correct STYLE
He was for several years connected in this
capacity with the Nashville Wing and per-
haps with other papers. He afterwards be-
came the editor Of the Oythopolitan, which,
though new paper, at once took rank with
the ablest literary and independent papers in
the South. He next established Masonic
journal, with tie title of the Port Folio, which
was equal, if not superior, to any other paper
of this kind in the country. His Affections
forced him too soon to abandon this publica-
ton in 1852; since when he has retired from
active life. Two or three years since he lost
his eyesight, and has thus been slice confined
mainly to his room. In all the active rela-
tions of life he was man of great firmness
decision of character, and influence with his
fellow men. He labored necessarily for the
elevation of his kind and the advancement of
society, and has contributed as much as any
other one man, to the high state of social and
moral cultivation, for which this, the city of
his home, his life and his labors, is distin-
guished.
But it is not alone on these facts that the
reputation of WILKINS TANNEHILL rests, or for
which his character is to be admired and his
memory respected. In the multitude and
constancy of his labors, he found time to walk
in the higher fields of literature He has
published several works, which, though they
have fallen into the hands of a limited circle
of readers, lowing to the time and place of
their publication) are highly meritorious, and
evidence a strong and highly cultivated in
tellect. The one having the greatest circula-
ton is the Free Mason's Manual, with history
of the progress Of that ancient order from
speculative to practical Masonry. This vol
ume passed through several editions and is as
standard work on the subject treated. He
also published a History of Literature. which.
though compendious in its character, is ex-
ecuted with marked ability and scholarship
He next gave to the world, through the Nash
vile press, a critical and historical review of
Roman Literature. This work was executed
with marked skill, and is one of the clearest
and most just expOstions of the beauties and
insufficiencies of the Roman classics extant.
1t exhibits thorough knowledge of the sub
ject, together with the most delicate apprecia-
ton of all the great masters of the Latin
tongue This small volume is worthy of
place in the libraries of the learned, and am
ply vindicates the cultivated taste, critical
acumen, and correct judgment of the author.
IT is not often that society is called upon to
entOmb nobler spirit, purer heart,
brighter intellect than those of the deceased.
Always modest, unobtrusive, honest, generous,
atfable and companionable, he walked every
day through life a shining example of the
higher virtues of human nature, dispensing
good influences upon all with whom he came
in contact To be good is to be great, and
such was WILKINS TANNEHILL.