The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-03-03
Genius aud Misery.

N,
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Genius aud Misery.
Prof j. w. lngraham, the well.known An,
popular author, has been contribu ting som
sketches lately to the Southern Field an,
Eireside, Augusta, GA. In the course q
these he describes visit to the grave of S S
Frentiss, al NatcheZ. Miss, and takes occasio,
70 explain the secret Of the unhappy and ir
regular life OF that marvellous and meteorif
genius. With what glowing admiration and
with what tender sympathy Prof Ingrah.m
touches the theme, the subjoined extract will,
show:
Emerging from 4 romantic dell, we came
upon a high road, which led us to a small
Drick'enciosed cemetery, half hidden NV
shrubbery. We had inquired for Prentiss;
grave, and we were told we should find j,
within this quiet enclosure, wherein three or
1our ancient-iooking, moss grown tomb were
visible, half-obscured by vines The iron q, 70
was locked: l climbed it, and, making m Y
way through matted grass and tangled cr.e,,
e,s, STOOD before the upright slab of viii e
marble winch marked the resting place of tho
great Grator. barred my head in the nres
ence OF the mighty dead for, with al. his in
Hfmitles, Pren;iss was the peer OF the greatest
intellects OF DIS age. Justice has not vet heeu
done TO his noble character His errors arc
All refcrabie to his physical inlirmaty. He
was iaine-yery lame and had been So from
. i,s URN. " men ne grew to boyhood, seusi-
i've, ana taiented, and am bilious he felt keen
~ MS iameness, and wept over a detormity
WHICH, IN DIS own mind, degraded him in the
presence OK ms schooi-mates. Early he learned
10 taSte The bitterness of an ambitious and
ioIty spirit. feeling physical in feriority Wills
ne was proudly conscious of intellectual .u-
peIiority. When he became a man, his pain.
1ui sensltlvenesS to his Iameuess led him =,
Withdraw himself from all female snciatv
Y der the cloud of his morbid feelings no
iaheieo women scorued him. He felt hunbed
and degraded in her presence The barh Tins
He II
I'LL long afterwards, when a lovely woman
gave him her heart and hand that a frua We
man Is interested more by the splendor Of
mind In man Than symmetry OF person t,,a,
beautiful women look rather to the Intellect
the casket. F
For thirteen years of his earlier manhood he |
refused introduction to ladies. Such was the |
sensliiVeness OF this proud nature! He we'll |
knew MS own intellect powers and knnu
Jug 'hen, lie oespised more and more his in. |
nrm oody, and believed that all others did
Aet his face was wonderfully handsome. His |
mead was large and noble and grand in ont.
me. HIS smile was beautiful. His powers of |
conversation were imperial and unannro.ch
able Yet, constantly feeding upon his own
morbid emotions, he despsed himself He felt
liIke some mighty angel In chains) bound To a
ooay mat lacked the full and perfect impress
oI ms KIND This one, uncomfortable idea was
never absent from him. Once an iniudicious
friend, lndlscreet with wine, said. ssPrentiss
what made you lame -
Goods curse, Sir,''
Then, turning his back upou him with a liz;
tremulous from unfathomab,e feeling. he COW
cred ms lace with his hands, and fastening 10
-, n ,ar' enamoel, cast himself upon his bed ia
paroAysin OF bitter weeping. Who could moi
pity sucn man VINO shall wonder oh, nm
chaIitable fharisee, that he sought relief a, |
,ne s'thihs board, stalking thousands rec less
~ upon card or In the in oXicatiOn of tho |
wine-cup He gambled not for monev no | (
drank not from love OF strong drink: hut 10 | {
fscai- the pressure of damning thought. The
Il firm ls.,>k l
ms proud man To- fierce despair. What cared he |
Tor tue sots who hOcked about him and dr.nk s
AZ his pense They were his tools He made
use OF them 10 help him drown r.h.ct;nn u
Ihey drank tor sensual thirst of drink: h, IN , :
loench the Tires OF thought! He despised | =
netn. Not one dared take a familia ritv Mir |
nm :: lie VINO spoke to him lightly Of his ,
ameness, was uniorgiyen by him forever
more! AA0'e1-
Who will ding the stone Who will con. \
leihn VINO can Judge him, who was never |
IL MS place what mind can Conceive of tha | u
Intellectual and moral torture of mis- nrnnn |
FHiiaht genius, going through life hating his | I
WIN io'I0' ana stunning. for years, Gods
az . alu oes' silt 10 man, for sense Of r
CHARACTERIZATION in Womau's presence =
NO, justice has not yet been done IN tb;s | ~
ieit ana wonderful man He was under |
tooa by but few of his nearest friends -
sstT oy htS boon co,nl nHi0nS They In nciad ha :"
vas such one as them.stres when he towsraS | st
ooVe them like prince, and despised them | ~
'he d gou. his own brother, who wrote his -
" '"i"HVs, u1u not at all com Drphpnd | I
is true character, and has unawnras ~, ~
use in ana unjust impression of him upon tn. IF.
Even the grave lifts up its voice in echo n, =
le vulgar opinion which classes him with or. r
mary iheor'a les and reckless gamesters. II =,
as with pain read the Inscription unon tho q,
'adstohei II Is with sorrow copy il. rive Fl
below: " e''0 nr
''h sS,,, L ord shouldst mark nquity, who
but there is forgiveness with thee, that Thou l
iuaySt be feared" 'ou AM
> 80; ). Prentss, born at Portland, Me-. Sent IN
; is.o: Departed this life, at Natchez' INV hr
HAD not the Holy Bible some other xarx.. r
., ,, MSS Dttsr ones We are all sinners | ~.
nnsr w should ms man be held up, tAus as or
~ al She
a iady In advertising for a servant girl in
=. a-ondon paper, says-"Hoops are ohiscfad | N1
:, al" 80 Is want OF cleanliness" wi
o,u OF fortune belonged originally to De
nun ior u Is engaged continually "iak IN
: up ano putting down" people. I"
an artist painted a cow and 1ahha. ~