The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-04


VT Mr. Cray he observed: "Poor Gray
think lie was the most remarkable man |
ever knew for variety and fuIncss of inior-
nation, and perfect command of it. lie
was walking encyclopedia. have seen
many men who had excellent memories,
provided you would let them turn to their
libraries to get the information you wanted
but no matter on what subject you spoke
to him, his knowledge was at his fingers
ends, and entirely at your service" -
"He then led the conversation to his Eng
l'ssl friends, to some Of whom he had given
me letters on my recent visit TO that coun.
try. lie first spoke Of Lady Lyell, the wife
OF the celebrated geologist. "Shc is one Of
the most charming persons have ever seep,'
he said, "When she married Sir Charles
she knew nothing Of geology; but finding
that her life was to be passed among stones.
she set herself TO work to make friends OF
them, and has done so to perfection. She
Is i'll thorough sympathy with all her husband
researches and works; is the companion of
his journeys: oftentimcs his amanucnss,
for her hand has written several of his books;
and the delight and cheer Of his whole life.
Unaffected, genial, accomplished, and de-
''ghtful to an almost unequalIed extent, she
IS one OF the rarest women you can meet.
And, he continued. "vou saw NV friend,
Dean MilIman. What an admirable person
he is! ] had letter from him only day
or two since, in which he gave an interest
ing account Of the opening Of his cathedral,
St. parIs, TO the popular Sunday evening
prcachugs-a matter which has enlisted
all the sympathics Of the Bishop of London
and of himself. lie has been prodigously
hard worker, anI so has acquired pre-
maturcly old look. Accomplished as his
torian, divine, poet, and man Of letters, he
Is at the same time among the most agree
able and finished men of society ! saw in
England.
did you see Dean Trcnch?" lie pro-
ceeded. Upon my replying in the ailirma.
tive, he added: II am sorry never to have
seen him. lie did me the favor some time
since to send me his Cdlderon which en-
joyed greatly Replying in the negative
to my inquiry as to whether he had read
the Deans book on Words, etc, he said,
"They shall be the very next book read"
"Englauds glorious country" he said {;
'isn't itl What hearty and noble people
they are, and how an Americans heart
warns towards them after he has been
therc once and found them out In their hos
pitable homesm
81 said "Mr. Prescott, arn't you coming
to New York" We should all be very
glad TO see You there No. he replied :;
4 suppose that the days Of my long jour
ncys are over. mus, content myself, like
Horace, with my three houses. You know
90 at the commencement of summer 10
my cottage by the seaside, at Lynn Beech;
and at autumn to my patrmonial acres at
PepperelI. which has been in our family for
two hundred years, to sit under the old
trees sat under when boy; and then.
with winter, come to town to hibernate in
this house. This is the only travelling,
suppose, that shall DO until 60 10 ny
long home. Do you remember the delight
ful summer you spent with us at Lynn, two
or three years ago? I wish you would
come and repeat it next summer
"ln another part Of the conversation lie
said: These men with eyes have us at a
serious disadvantage, haven't they? While
they run we can only limp. But have
nothing to complain of, nor have you
Providence has singularly taken care of us
both, and by compensation keeps the bal
ance cven.'
"He then spoke with entire calmness of
the shock which his system had received
from his first stroke Of apoplexy last year;
said that it had weakened him a great deal.
but was very grateful that he was yet en-.
abled to enjoy life and work.-That he was
able TO take exercise, although confined TO
spare diet, and not allowed to touch meat
or anything Of stimula:ive kind; and
managed moreover to keep his literary
lahors. 4 have always made my literary
pursuits he said, "a pleasure, rather than
toll; and hope to do so with the remainder
of Philip, as | nm yet able to work two or
three and sometimes more hours day.'
lie stated that hiss eye had suffered consid.
erably from the blow, and while we talked
he found it necessary 10 shade his face. In
the course Of the conversation we were join
ed by the ladies Of the family, Mrs. Prescott,
her sister, his daughter and daugbter-i law.
lie then spoke ins!glowing and grateful
terms, as l alluded to thesibtersst tsEep in
his health throughout the country, 10 the
kindness which he had gsinyariably ssxpesi-
enced at the hands of his donntrymep. 81
an5neyer. he said. tbe sufySc;ant,r, ,.,.ca