Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-22

Professor Mather, of Amherst college, gives in
the Springfield Republican the following ac-
count of visit to the murderer Rulloff in his
cell:
The visit was not one of idle curiosity, for one
of my colleagues in the college had shown me,
some months since, criticism of Rullofs-
written years ago, when he was in the state
prison at Auburn, N. Y, upon parts of Prof.
Tayler Lewis edition of one Of Plato's dialogues,
which had warmly interested me in his scholar
ship.
The next morning, about nine O'Clock, the
advocate and went down to the prison, and
the gentlemanly high sheriff at once consented
TO the interview, if Rulloff was willing. The
doomed man at first refused, as he had done of
late to all visitors, but when told that was a
student and teacher of Greek, he at once con-
sented. He approached the heavy latticed iron
door and asked very politely if l could remain
long enough to learn something of the beauties
of his theory of language. Without replying, /
turned to the officer and asked if might be per-
mitted TO go into the cell. He said yes, and pro-
ceeded TO unlock the massive padlocks. 1t was
long, narrow, granite built room, but high,
and furnished with plenty of light and pure
air. As we entered, Rulloff approached with
two dilapidated chairs, and with the most
winning courtesy, asked us to be seated, and
offered to relieve me of my hat. He sat
down on his rude pallet opposite me, and
terred to above, and that | had desired TO
learn how he had acquired his knowledge of
the old languages. He replied, with smile,
that he had obtained it all by honest work; that
he had never been in a college or university, but
that from boyhood he had had a most intense
interest in the beauty and strength of the Greek
tongue. He complained that he had been
laughed at by the public as a superficial scholar
and wanted me to satisfy myself on that and
then hear what he had to say about the forma,
ton OF language. replied that as we had no
text books could not examine him, to which
he rejoined that many of the classical authors
he knew by heart, and would try and repeat
portions if | would suggest where he should be-
gin. Thinking that something from the Memo
rabilia might be appropriate to his present
needs, suggested the third chapter, first book,
where the sentiments OF Socrates with reference
to God and duty in their purity and exaltation
approach so nearly to Biblical revelation; and
he at once gave me the Greek. Other parts of
the same work, as well as the Had of Homer
and some Of the plays of Sopbocles, he showed
great familiarity with. Then, in order to show
his thoroughnesS, he criticised the common
rendering of certain passages, and he did it
with such subtlety and discrimination and ele-
gance as TO show that his critical study of these
nicer points was more remarkable than his
powers of memory; in fact | should say that
subtlety of analysis and of reasoning was the
marked characteristic Of his mind. On one or
two passages of Homer, in particular, he
showed great acuteness of criticism, and a most
thorough appreciation Of the grandeur of the
sentiment. One or two renderngS of President
FELTON, he opposed most vigorously, and when |
supported the common version be quoted from
a vast range of classics to confirm his view.
His theory of language cannot enter upon
here, for it is too subtle for the general reader
1t is very original, is quite contrary to the estab
lished views upon comparative philology, and
probably will never be of any practical use.
Most persons think him monomaniac upon
this, and certainly his enthusiasm is most re-
markable. He sat there in his chains, Just SEN
fenced by the highest court to die on the gal
lows, and without a word, or apparently
thought about his doom, he argued and plead
for his tavorite theory as though he were wrest-
ling for his life, and was determined to win.
he was anxious to have philologists examine
the manuscript of his work. He urged me TO
come with several such men and take time to
see whether his theory is true. He asked nv
pardon for the apparent dogmatism of the state
ment, but said he felt convinced that his theory
OF language was special revelation to him. and
that perhaps hundred years might elapse ere
1t would be known again. and then added, sig
nifcantly, And you know that whatever Is
done must be done quickly"
In person this strange man is about middle
height, and Of robust build, and is apparently
yerglng on fifty years of age, not at all the
broken old man he has been represented He
has Singular face, not Iillainous or grossly
seHsudl, uor IS IL scnOlarly, The features are
strongly marked and full of sinister meaning.
1t is face that you could not forget, and vet
would not care to think about. His eye, which
is dark hazel, had heard was the striking fea-
ture, but it did not impress me so, perhaps be-
cause it showed struggle and suffering. The bad
lines in his face to me were about his chin and
forehead, and his neck is very short, and stout
and heavy.
In manners he is very urbane and natural, and
ne conyerses with great facility and elegance.
His voice is mellow and pleasant and OCCASION
ally showed tones of tenderness, Bur for all
that, do not believe the man has any tender
ness save for language. In looking at him Won
would never imagine him as loving any human
being, and you would be sure that his hatred
would pc lmplacable. Heis certainly an enigma,
and oilers IN himself a powerful argument
against the theory that education is alone suffi-
Gent to lead to true manhood. Those who would
throw out moral and biblical teaching from our
systems OF culture, have difficult task to har-
monlZe their theory with such character as
this. Here is profound and appreciatiye stn.
dent OF all that is beautiful and glorious in clas-
steal learning, working for years as philolopist
and with zeal rarely equaled; and vet all the
time living life of crime as dark and terrible
as any criminal in our land He shows that
true culture and true manhood can only be nv
a development of the moral sense, and that we
must educate the heart as fast as we educate the
head, or our knowledge may only increase our
sin.
A curious and imposing ceremony took place
in Lexington, KY, few DAYS since. During
the funeral services nf n ladv in H., ~