Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-11-02

tscenes OF the Old Admtraps Life
In the course Of an article on the late
Admiral. contributed TO the Christian
Union, the Rev. DIR. Joseph P. Thomson,
says:
aThere was not in him one trace Of
vauity--of that egotsm which forever
magnifies ITSELF which keeps self always
first in its own thought, aud exacts the
homage of all around. And yet the AID
miral was thoroughly appreciative Of the
good will of his cOuntrymeu, aud as
sensitive as child to their marks of
appreciation. He was really charming
to look upon as be received the applause
of dinner company; his manly face
beaming with pleasure, his tongue con.
fused with the attempt to speak, his lips
answering by smiles for words, yet with
no trick or faint of ostehtation-just
hearty. simple, sympathetic pleasure with
himself aud everybody else, because he
had somehow done something that pleas.
ed other people. Once at public din
ner, rs he saw the toast To our Navy
bearing down upon him like saucy cor
vette aud pouring broad-sides Of compi-
ments. be whispered. "Now, in min
ute, they'll set me up in the maintop
again, and then | shall have to speak
What shall says Id rather 60 into &C
tion." Presently the chairman reached
the eliminating point Of his own elo
quence, with The hero of Mobile. lashing
himself to the maintop, and sailing
through the belching flames, &c. DC.
and amid rhunders of applause the AID
miral rose aud bowed, aud beamed forth
his contagious smiles till the whole com
pany felt as jolly as mess on furlough I;
then said few simple, honest, manly
words about the navy, his officers, aud
his men. and looked so happy rs he re
ceived tie vociferous greetings of the as
sembly that the impression upon all was
that of a brave, simple, true man, whose
heart was as open as it was brave.
when he sat down he said TO me, Il
cannot understand why they make SO
much of my going up into the main top.
1t was nothing special that l did at Mo
bile, and l was not dashed there at ALL
When going into action, or in any time
of danger, always went up there, be
cause L felt it INV duty to be where |
could overlook everything in person. and
be seen by all the mon. and set them an
example of sharing their risks.
g At that same dinner, taking in his
hand glass of wine, he said to me: The
wine goes round pretty freely to night. |
take glass at my dinner; but when
am on duty, aud especially when going
into action, | never allow myself to
take a drop of any kind of stimuant
For when my country has trusted me
grave responsibilities, | could not bear
the thought of doing anything that might
lead me TO distrust myself, or might shake
the confidence of officers and men in my
command. To do my duty, must res
pect myself"
"Upon another occasion, when the
talk turned upon iron and wooden ships
of war, the Admiral said he never could
bear the thought of shutting men up in
a monitor; it took away their spirit to
feel that they were cooped up in a coffin
a sailor loves free fight. Then as to
wood or iron, It doesn't matter; it is the
men that make the ship; only give me
men that know and that know me, and
would as lief go into battle in wood as
| would in iron. This showed know
ledge both Of human nature, and of the
elements of courage"
A proud and loving Missouri father