The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-06-06

brickenclosed cemetery, half hidden By
shrdbbery. We had inquired for Prentiss
grave, and we were told we should find il
within this quiet enclosure, wherein three OIL
four ancientlooking, noss-grown tombs were
visible, half obscured by vines. The iron
gate was locked. climbed ii, and making
my way through matted grass and tangled
creepers, stood before the upright slab oi
white marble which marked the resting-place
of the great Orator barred my head in the
presence Of the mighty dead; for, with all his
infrmities, Prentiss was the peer of tho great
est intellects of his age. Justice has not vet
been done to his noble character His errors
are all referable to his physical infrmity. He
was lalne-very lame, and had been SO from
his BIRTH When he grew to boyhood, sensi-
tive, and talented, and ambitious, he felt keen
ly his lameness, and wept over defornity
which, in his own mind, degraded him in the
presence of his school-mates. Early he learn
ed to taste the bitterness of an ambitious and
lofty spirit, feeling physical inferiority, while
he was proudly conscious of intellectual su-
perioTity. When he became man, his pain
ful sensitivcness to his lameness led him to
withdraw himself from all female society,"
Under the cloud of his morbid feelings, he
fancied woman sconed him. He felt humble
and degraded in her presence. The barb thus
ranked ever in his heart. He did not know
till long afterwards, when lovely woman
gave him her heart and hand, that a true wo-
man is interested more by the splendor of
mind in man than symmetry of person; that
beautiful women look rather to the intellect
and are dazzled by 1t, no matter how plain
the casket.
For thirteen years of his earlier manhood
he refused introduction to ladies. Such was
the sensitiveness of his proud nature! He
well knew his own intellectual powers, and
knowing them, he despised more and more
his infirm body and believed that all Others
lid. Yet his face was wondrously handsome.
His head was large and noble and grand in
outline. His smile was beautiful. His pow
rs of conversation were imperial and unap-
'roachable. Yet, constantly feeding upon his
'wn morbid emotions he despiscd himself
lie felt Qike some mighty angel in chains)
'cund to a body that lacked the full and per-
cct impress of his kind. This one, unendu-
able idea was never absent from him. Once |
n injudicious friend, indiscreet with wine,
aid, "Prentiss, what made you lame !"
Mr. Prentiss turned upon him a withcring
'ok Of scorn, hatred and contempt, and an
wcred in hoarse and terrible whisper, be-
're which the other trcmblcd: " Gods curse,
r. ~
Then, turning his back upon him, with a
p tramulous from Questionable feelings, he
'vered his face with his hands, and hasten
e to his chamber, cast himself upon his bed
paroxysm of bitter weeping. Who would
lt pity such man. Who shall wonder oh
lcharitable Pharisoe, that he sought relief at
e gaming-board, stalking thousands reckless
upon card; or in the intoxication of the ,
ine-cupl lie gambled not for money; he
ank not from love Of strong drink; but to, a
cape the pressure of damning thought
ne sight of his inirm limb at times would
i've this proud man TO fierce despair. What :
red he for the sots who fiocked about him
d drank at his expensel They were his
ols. He used them to help drown rcfec- !
m. They drank for sensual thirst Of drink a
to quench the fires of thought He des- v
'ed them. Not one dared to take famil- G
ity with him. He who spoke to him light n
of his lamcness was unforgiven by him for u
ri b
Who will fling the stonc' Who will con-
mn! Who can Judge him, who was never :
his placea What mind can conceive Of W
intellectual and moral torture of this proud h
liant genius, going through life hating his q
n form, and stunning, for years, Gods "
attest and best gift to man, from a sense of y
in woman's prcsencel :,
No, justice has not yet been dono to this n
at and wonderful man. He was not under m,
cd but by few of his nearest friends ou
er by has boon cOmpanioHs. They fancicd
was as one of themselves, when he tower ha
above them like prince. and despised ch
m like a god. His own brother, who xrofe th'