New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-07-20
In college, he held the first rank in his class. He
was remarkable for the facility and grace with

which be translated the Greek and Latin classics,
and the elegance of his English composition. At
the same time he evinced taste for the exact sci
ences which he cultivated with success. After
graduating with the highest honors in 1919, he was
chosen tutor Of Latin and Greek, which office he
filled with eminent success, showing rare fidelity
and thoroughness as q teacher and exerting an ex-
cellent moral influence upon the pupils under MS
care. During his academic course, he became ae-
quainted with the daughter of President Me'ser,
the lady who afterward became his wife, and whose
early death was lamented for many years with
passionate grief that almost deprived him OF
reason.
In 1891. Mr. Mann entered fhe Law School at
Iitchfeld and was admitted to the Norfolk bar in
Dedham, in 1923. His practice was successful, and
in 1888 he sought larger sphere in Boston, where
he soon acquired both professional and social dis
tinction. He took but little interest in scenes OF
fashion and frivoty, but highly priced tho pleas
ures of intercourse with cultivated minds. His
tastes were literary and artstc but his tendencies
TO practical usefulness were still moro powerful;
and unless connected in some way with benevolent
action, no work of culture and refinement
could absorb his mind. His favorite
associates in Boston we're found in circles which
combined philanthropy with intelligence including
DIT. Charming, Father Taylor, Mr.. Jonathan Phil
lips, Dr.. Z. G.. Howe, Mr.. Charles Sumner, and
Others of o similar stamp.
In 1887, Mr. Mann accepted tho appointment OF
Secretary of the Board Of Education, an office then
recently created by the Legislature of Massachu-
SETS He had previously held a high place at the
bar and in political life, but his zeal for popular i'm
provement led him TO sacrifice his brilliant position
and perhaps still more brilliant prospects for the
ungracious and thankless task of public reiormer
His labors in this office were in the highest
degree arduous, taxing his mental energies and
physical strength to the utmost, and meeting with
but little cooperation or sympathy. Much hosuilty
was called forth from persons interested IN the pres
eryaton of ancient abuses; familiar friends turned
cold shoulder upon his efforts; his post became
almost literally battlefield; but his zeal and
ability at length won the day; he saw the triumph
of his plans over prejudice and bigotryi and gave
an impulse to the cause Of education in Massachu-
sets which has placed her foremost in the march of
improvement
In MAY, lS43, Mr.. Mann was married 10 his sec
ond wife, Miss Mary Peabody, the daughter of a
physician in Boston, lady of admirable character
and gifts, and Immediately afterwsrd sailed for
Europe 10 visit the European schools, especially In
Germany, where he expected to derive much
benefit. His health had been seriously affected by
his public laborsi his brain was so much excited
that he could not sleep; change Of scene was ab-
soutely necessary; but the excursion did not prove
so much Of O recreation, as had been hoped by his
friends. His absence was limited 10 six months, and
his attention was so entirely preoccuped with the
interests Of education, that he had little strength or
leisure for mere amusement. He devoted the day
from seven to five o'clock to visiting schools
and prisons, and persons connected with them, and
many Of his evenings TO the perusal Of documents
which he had gathered in his progress. The main
results of his tour were given in his Seventh Annual
Report to the Board of Education. In Germany
alone he met with any true comprehension OF what
he regarded as moral and religious instruction
The effect Of his Report of it at home was TO shake
the dry bones that had ha"nme. firmly planted III
their fossil bed.
| Upon his return to Boston, Mr.. Mann resumed
his labors with characteristic ardor. lie never
allowed himself one day Of pure recreation. II he
made visit TO friend, some Grand connected
with tho cause of education was sure TO lie in the
back ground. He had not the art Of lying fallow,
and thus gathering new strength for the perform
ance Of duty His love for children was the only
natural outlet for his native hilarity, and in their
society he found his sole amusement
After the death Of Mr.. John Quincy Adams, the
services of Mr.. Mann were demanded as his sue
cessor in Congress. II was an important crisis in
the cause of liberty, and Mr. Mann yielded to the
persuasions Of his friends, in spite Of his devotion
TO educational interests Dunng this period, he
engaged in his famous controversy with regard to
Daniel Webster, and suffered, in consequence, not
little oboquy and reproach from his former poti.
cal associates. The word Of command, indeed went
forth for his humiliation; and if this was not
effected, il was for no want Of good will on the part
Of the executioners who had been hired for the
service. From having been the subject Of encomium
H. all quarters he treated with malignant abuse.
Not Wing newspaper in Boston defended him.
From most, he received virulent daily attacks He
failed to be nominated for reelection by the Con-
vention. He then appealed to the people Is an
independent candidate, and was triumphsntly
chosen. His career in Congress was marked by sig
nal ability, unwearied dcvotedness, and perpetual
combat IN the interests Of freedom.
On the 18th Of September, 1882 Mr.. Mann was
nominated for Governor Of Massachusetts by Con-
venton of the Free Democracy Of the State, and On
the same day he was chosen President of Antioch
College, at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He accepted
the latter office, and left NewEngand for the West
in the Autumn Of 1853. Herc, from the first, he