The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-05-04
The Genius and Misery offs s. Prentiss.

Inc Genlus ana Misery offs. g. Prentiss.
Prof j. ii. Ingraham, who now pretixss
"ReVerend" to his name, has lately been
contributing some sketches 10 the Augusta
| (Ga Field. In the course of them hu do.
scribcs visit to the grave of S S. Prentss.
ut Na,chez, Miss, aud thus explains the so.
crot of the unhappy life of that remarkable
man:
Emerging from romantic doll, we camc
upon high road, which lod to u small brick.
enclosed cemetry half hidden by shrubbery
We had inquired for Prentiss' grave, and
we wero told wo should find it within this
quiet enclosure, wherein tbrte or fuI
anocnt.iooking, moss-grown tombs wero
visible, half-obscured by vines. The iron
gate was locked. l climbed it, and making
my way through matted grass and tangled
creepors, stood before the upright slab of
white marble which marked the resting
place of the great Orator. | barod my head
in the presence of the mighty dead for.
with all his infrmities, Prentiss was the peer
of tho greatest intcllects of his ago. Justice
has not yot been done to bis noble character.
His errors are all refernble to his physical
nfrmity. He was lame, lamo, and
had boen so from his birth. When he grew
to boyhood, sensitive, and talented, and am
bilious, he kcenly felt bis lamencss, and
wcpt ovor deformity which, in his own
mind degraded him in the presence of bis
schoolmatcs. Early ho learned to taste tho
bitterness OF nE ambitious and lofty spirit,
| toeiDg physical inferiority, while he was
| proudly conscious of intellectual superiority.
! When no became man, his painful sensi-
tivenesO as to his Iamoness lcd him 10 exclude
himself from all female society. Under the
cloud of his morbid feelings, he fancied wo.
mon scorned him. He felt humbled and de.
graded in her presence. The barb thus
ranked ever in his heart. Ho did not know
till long afterwards, when a lovely woman
gave him her heart md hand, that true
woman is Interested more by tho splondor
of mind in man, than symmetry of person
that beautiful women look rather TO the in
to'lcct and are dazzlod by it, no matter how
plain tho caskct.
For thirteen years of his earlier mar hood
he refused introduction to ladies. Such was
the senstiveness of this proud naturel He
well knew his own intellectual powers. and,
knowing them, he despise6 moro and more
his iniirtn body, and believed that all others
did. Yet bis face was wonderfully hand
some His head was large and noble, and
grand in outline. His smile was beautiful
Ills powers of conversation were imperial
aud unapproachable. Yet constantly feed
ing upon his own morbid emotions. he de-
spised himself. Ho felt (like some mighty
angel in ehains) bound to body that lacked
the full and perfect impress of his mind,
This one. uncomfortable idea was mover
absent from him. Once an niudcous
friend, indiscreet with wine, said:
"Prentiss, what msdo you amo?"
Mr.. Prentiss turned upon him a witherinp
look OF scorn. hatred and contempt. and
answered in hoarse and terrible whisper.
before which the other tremblod:
Gods curse, sir -
Then, turning his back upon him, with q |
lip tremulous from untathomable feeling.
ho covered his face with his hands, and |
fastening to his chamber, cast bimself upon
his bed in a paroxysm of bitter weepinp.
Who could not pity such a man ? WHO |
shall wonder, oh, uncharitablo Pbarisee.
that no sought relief at the gaming board.
stalking thousands recklessy upen card. or
in the intoxcation of tho wine cup? He
gambled not for money he drank not for
tho love of strong drink but to escape tho
pressure of damning thought. The sight
of this infirm limb at times would drive this
proud man to fierce despair. What cared
no for tho sots who flocked about him and
drank at his expense They we're his tools.
Ho made use OF them to help him drown
reflection. They drank for sensual thirst
of drink Tho to qucnch the fires of thought
He despised them. Not one dared take
familiarity with him d! Ho who spoke to
him lightly OF his lamoness was unforgiven |
by him forevermorc.
Who will fling the stone? Who will con. |
demn Who can judge him, who was
nevcr in his place? What mind can con. !
coivo of the intellectual and moral torture
of this proud, brilliant genius, going through |
life hating his own form, and stunning, for
yoars, Gods greatest and best gift to man,
from sense of self-degradation in woman's
presence
No, justice has not yet been done to this
great and wonderful man. He was not un- |
dcrstood but by n few of his nearest frionds, |
heuer by has boon companions. They fanced |
he was such a one as themselves, when he |
lowered above them like a prince, and de-
spsed them like god. His own brother.
who wrote his life in two volumes, did not
at all comprehend his true character. and |
has unawares left false and unjust Impress. |
ion of him upon the minds of his readers.
Even the grave lifts its voice in echo of
the vulgar opinion which classes him with |
ordinary inebriates and reckless gamesters.
1t was with pain read the inscription upon
the headstoHe; it 10 with sorrow / copy it. |
give it below
If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquity, who shall
stand
But there is forgiveness with Thee that Thou
mayst be feared.
S. S. PRENTISS,
BORN AT PORTLAND, Me-,
SEPT 80, 1908.
Departed
THIS LIFE
, AT
NATCHEZ,
JULY l, 1850.
Had not the Holy Bible some other vorses
than these bitter ones We are all sim
ners; but why should this man be thus
held up, as sinner more than all ,
The SKY AN INDICATOR OF THE WEATH.
ER.-The colors Of the sky at certain
times afford pretty sure guidan Of the
weather, and the British Board of Trade
has thought we'll enough of the following
simple weather maxims to publish them
for the use OF sea-farrg men: Not only
does rosy sunset presage fair weather,
and a ruddy sunrise bad weather; but
bright yellow sky in the evening indicates
wind pale yellow, wet neutral grey
color constitutes favorable sign in the |