The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-11-09
The Mothers of Remarkable Men-By
Helen Mar.

Throughout the pages of history we
are struck with the fact that our remarka-
BILE men possessed mothers of uncommon
talent for good or bad, and great energy
of character. 1t would almost seem from
this circumstance that the impress of the
mother is more frequently stamped upon
the boy, and that of the father upon the
girl-we mean the mental intellectual
impress, in distinction from the physical
one.
It is said of Sir Walter Scott's mother
that she was small, plain well-educa-
ted woman, of excellent sense, very char
liable, and great lover of painting and
poetry, and on the whole a superior wo-
man. 'Tis evident from the writings of
Sir Walter that he had uncommon gift in
word painting.
1t is said of Byron's mother that she
was proud woman, hasty. violent and
unreasonable, with not principle sufficient
to restrain her temper. Unhappiy, By
ron inherited his mothers indamable tenn
per, and instead of being subdued and
softened by the harshness with which she
so often treated him, he was rendered
more passionate by it. Thus we see that
this inirmity, which by genllenoss and
kind treatment might have been greatly
checked, If not cured, was suffered 10 en-
slave one of the most talented. brilliant
poetical minds which has ever shone among
men, entailiug a life of misery upon its
possessor, and an early termination to hi
career.
| The mother of Bonaparte was a woman
of great beauty and energy of character
This last trait has been strikingly exem
plifed throughout his whole life.
The mother of Robert Burns, the scot
? tish poet, was a woman of moderate per
sonal attractions but in every other res
( pect she was remarkable woman Sh
was blessed with singular equanimity O
temper, and her religious feelings wer
constant and deep. She used to Civ
: wings to the weary hours of her checker
e ed life by chanting old songs and ballad
of which she had large store. Her pei
d ceptions of character were very quick an
keen, and she lived to good old age, re
Joicing in the fame of her poet-son, an
It partaking of the fruits of his genius.
b Lork Bacon's mother is said to hav
been woman of superior mind, and {
k great learning and deep piety.
]. Little is said of the mother of Mere
except that she murdered her second hui
/, band, the Emperor Claudlus, about fou
years after marriage. Do we wonder tbs
d Nero was cruel Emperor, if his mothe
is was murderess? How strangely do,
e the mother of Nero, an ancient tyrant, col
,r trast with the mothers of some of our mot
1T ern philanthropists and statesmen!--tl
Ia mother of Washington, whose name is f
miliar to every reader OF history; Il
u mother of John Jay, who deserves pla'
20 by the side of Washington. Mrs. Jay
d said to have had cultivated mind, Fl
imagination and had cultivated tempe
r The mother of Patrick Henry was
se woman of great excellence of charactt
ol and marked by superior conversation
powers. Hence. doubtless, the oratoric
gift of her son. With the mother of t
:, Adamses all are acquainted. Where "
~ you find more real practical common sen
:" and true energy of character that Jo
Quincy's mother possessed? Mothers v
u, do well to remember that their impress
ne often stamped upon their sons.