The Shasta courier., 1859-12-31
The Insanity of Gerritt Smith.


With those who have known Gerritt Smith
longest and most intimately. his present melan-
choly condition is more matter of regret than
surprise. His mind has hovered upon the bor-
ders of insanity for more than quarter of
century. HIS physical health was destroyed
many years ago, by his peculiar habit and views
in regard to temperance and diet.
Gerritt Smith was by nature muni6cently en-
dowed. We knew him first in 1914, then WOO
ing and winning Wealthy Backus, his first wife,
and neither before or since have we seen a no.
bier specimen of manhood. To high intellectual
gifts he added face and form of surpassing
beauty.
"Whose red and white
Natures own sweet and cunning hand laid on.'
Then ardent. generous, and as ever, impulsiye,
he lived for several years in the quiet enjoy
ment of refined, social and domestic happiness.
Though early bereaved of an accomplished wife,
he was subsequently restored to all the endear-
ments of home by marriage with daughter of
the late Col. Fitzhugh, an equally estimable
lady.
Some thirty years ago, then young man of
great promise, buoyant in spirits, and looking Mt
the bright side of all the scenery of life, he was
an unsuccessful candidate for the State Senate.
That disappointment disturbed the heretofore
seven tenor of his way" and tnged the future
of his whole life. He looked less hopefully upon
men and things. He became, as he believed
philanthropist, but it was the philanthropy less
of charity than of force. From an ardent colo
nizationist he became an ultra aboltionist 3and
his persuasive zeal for temperance changed to
coercive measures in favor of prohbitionf Of
his ample fortune he dispensed, in aid of abo-
liIonsm and temperance with more liberality
than wisdom. Both his perverted talents-and
misappied money injured the objects he sought
to promote.
Mr.. Smith has lived for nearly thirty years in
tate of political hallucination. The deusion
eliminated last year, when greatly excited, he
devoted his time and money to canvass which
he believed was to result in his election as Gov
ernor, while every other person in the State
kneW that he was wasting his strength and his
means. That disappointment left him too well
prepared, in body and mind, for the shock which
has overthrown his too long unbalanced intel
lect-N. T. Albany Ecening Journal.
Nor One OF THEM AR SoRT-At a session of
the Circuit Court of Mississippi, in some county
town, the lawyers were in the habit of putting up
at house of entertainment kept by buxom
widow lady, of very high sense of propriety,
and great dignity of department This lady al
ways presided at the head of the table during
meals, and the place of honor on her right was
regarded as due to the most staid, proper and
elderly member of the bar BY unanimous con-
sent of the lawyers, Colonel B, very mod
est, discreet and pious counsellor was selected
for this distinction. Now, though possessing
many sterling virtues, Col B possessed one
weakness, but it was not a weakness of the
head or heart but of the eye-lids He had the
habit of winking necessarily and d'involuntarily,
which, with persons who did not know the cause
of it, left an unfavorable impression of the Col
onePs seriousness and sincerity. When on the
first occasion the Colonel took possession of the
seat nearest to +" mine hostess" his bland and
amiable expression and dignifed address created
quite favorable impression upon her ladyship.
The soup was over, and the hostess began to
ply the Colonel With various tempting dishes, all
of which he accepted or decided, with pleas
ant smile, and with his invariable wink. Atlast
it was perceptible to the company that the hos
tess was eyeing her distinguished guest rather
inquiringly and significantly; these glances
were always met by the Colonel with his usual
smile and wink. Finally to the great horror of
the Bar and utter humiliation of the worthy
Colonel the hostess Slapped the table indignant
ly with her right hand, and fixing her eyes very
pointedly and fercely upon the object of her
wrath, cried out at the top of her voice " You
sanctiied, weazen-faced old villain, I'll let you
know I'm not one Of them ar s0rt!"
What might have followed this explosion Of
wrath it would be impossible to conjecture as
decamped in haste from the seat of honor, and
never after could be persuaded to act the agree
able to buxom widows.-N. 0. Delta.