Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-11-11
RECOLLECTIONs OF PRENTICE.
IBr WIN. /. COOK.

ljCfli BY wM. 1. COOK. 1Ftf
The death of George d. Prentice
which occurred at his home in louis
vile, Kentucky, about two years ago
caused profound regret throughout the
country, and he had attained such high
distinction, both here and in Europe, as
o poet and journalist, that some remin
iscences regarding him may not be con
sidered either uninterestiDg or iRoppor'
tune. siaYia f .rrit ~ y
For several seasons prior to lS59y ytr
Prentice was esteemed one OF the 5esi
lecturers on the rostrum, and his ser
vices were in constant requisition by the
various literary associations and clubs
in all parts of the land. AS a poet he
was conceded one of our foremost. His
genius in this regard was defined and
unmistakable. Bat to the general mass
Of the people he was best known as q
journalist, and to know either the Louis
vile Journal or George d. Prentice was
to know both.
1t was soon after the beginning oil
1859, and which was perhaps his last
lecturing tour that Mr.. Prentice visited
the beautiful town Of c., in South
Pennsylvania town since the victim
of frightful disaster in the rsvages oI
war-and under the auspices of the Ii
b. R--h Club delivered q lecture en-
titled "The Present Aspecto of American
Politics" The hall in which he lee
tured, very capacious one, was crowded
on the occasion by the elite of the place
and surrounding country, for Mr.. Prem,
tice was very popular in that region, and
it may be added, lectured there at pre-
yious season. H4n A'
The lecture was delivered on Satur-
day evening, and on the following even
ing, Sunday Mr. Prentice was invited,
by note sent to his room, to join lit.
tie social party, composed Of friends aud
admirers OF his, and who knew well his
inimitable conversational powers.
Mr.. Prentice at once assented to our
request, and made his appearance
among us with a smiling countenance
and friendly salutation.
-" Mr.. Prentice" | remarked, you
are no relative of the famous and la
nented S. S. Prentiss, of Mississippi, ]
presume" Ny friend, Mr. B at
once interposed that Mr. Prentice
spelled his name differently, and a rela-
tionship was not likely. Don't be so
sure of that, B., replied Mr.. Prem
tice, we are related. 3. 8. Prentiss
belonged to the New Hampshire stock,
and / to the Connecticut stock" and he
then described the connection in detail.
1t was thus that the gifted but unfortu-
nate orator of Mississippi became the
first subject Of Conversation. ii llbyi
Mr.. Prentice related a number Of
amusing anecdotes Of his great relative.
One | now remember He stated that
many years ago he Prentiss) was trav'
cling on business tour in Indiana. Ii
was in mid-winter, the cold unusually
severe, aud in the days Of stage coaches
A violent snow storm came on, and by
the time the coach reached certain
village, the blockade became so great as
TO prevent further progress. Here
Prentiss and his party was showed up
for several days. The hours became
heavy on their hands, and Prentiss had
q periodical attack Of his old inhrmity
.--excessiye drinking.
His friends became alarmed at his
condition, and fearing serious reSults, in
their expostulations told him be was
Throwing himself away That
lust what | am doing" he replied, FOR !
cant sec. how am to get away other
wise" Mr.. Prentice further stated that
he had recently Visitsd the widow and
daughter Of his unfortunate relative, and
that he thought the daughter had inher.
tied much Of the genius OF her glited
father. III |
Reference was then made to Mr.. Prem
tees celebrity az a poet, and upon this
point our party we're disposed to be
somewhat adulatory. Our friend toi.
b expressed the warmest admiFa-
ton Of Mr.. Prentice's various contribu-
tions TO -our American literature, and
added that Il gould afford the company
present the highest pleasure if he (Mr.
Prentlee) would reeite one Of bis favorite
poems tAl 81 =.
mol mol B" said be, II can't
do that. 1t would require q more per
suasiye tongue than yours to induce ne,
] might do il, he said, with twinkle o.
mis- sys,S" Il :sy lips were within an iAch
or two Of thosa Of rosy checked girl.
Colonel B. spoke very admirably oil
8 poem written by Mr.. Prentice on the
death of little girl correct title for
gotten), aHd said it was one Of the gems
Of our language. It's inspiration, re
marked Mr.. Prentice came from a very
affecting incident. When ! was a yaltl
on my fathers farm, a little girl belong
ing to one OF cur neighbOrs. whose home
vas some distance OF across the fields,
was 10 The habit Of frequentiRg
our house. | Eps much attached
TO her aud she 10 Ise. One eVehing
while accompanying her hoRs, ieFriAe
thunder storm came on and We sought
shelter under tree. Suddenly crash
OF lightning tore the tree to atoms, anc
when we we're found the child was dead
and | was insensibie. When Tnccyered
my agony ai the loss Of my companion
can scarce be described. Through al my
life / have never forEoiiel her and u
have succeeded in embalming har mem
AS-r.iu verse, il Is but feeble iesamo
~ ~ "a. ia.,;;s i bore bet Ar. Prem
'fftss va visibly afsc, While relss.n ..,.a.
was instance. apFerson 4. = ~, -; !;
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