The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-11-16
Tribute -. lkt(cIl.


Tribute ~ lketCh.
The facts thnt have reached us con-
cernipg tho death Of Preston Davis Sill
are few-that he died Of consumption,
on the 9th of October, on bourd tho
steamer Denmark, en- route from New
York to Southampton, and that pursu.
ant to his own request he was buried at
SEQ.
That is ull. The few only to whom liz,
was strongly attached had any opportu
nifty OF knowing the renl character of the
man, or the solid basis upon which their
high estimate of bin was built. The
many knew nothing Of him; and their
opinions OF him, favorable or adverse.
rarely reached him; aud were matter of
indifference when they did. His nature
was truthful to degree that few atta n
to. The societal shams of truth wero
rspu!si7e to him, and his views Of them
tended to alienatu him and to separate
his from the common lot. Devoted to
letters with un earnesiness, an ability.
and success, very rnre in ono so young,
his pursuits also tended to segregaIe
him from society. These conditions,
added to the one before 20
far to account for what was populur Y
known as his eccentricity. He was ec-
centric. Gifts such III his constitute &C.
centricity. Talents of rnro kind arc
always SO. II tho curious demand fur
ther without at least implicit
censuro of him-tle curious may liud in
some enthest iiie.triai further solution Of
his isolation. Whatever may Lnve been
his experiences in This regard, l have
noted this fact, thut those whn knew
him best and stood nearest him III
spirit, havo always been. aud nro since
his death, the rcadiest to acquit him of
mere misnuthrupic isolation from his
fellow men.
know him first as student in Mount
Zion College, ut Winnsboro; and there
he was already the exclusive, lonely boy
bookworm and classicist that others
Afterwards fonnd him to be. His acuui-
sitlon OF languages was remarkable, and
his attainments III the Greek and Latin
classics were rare. Afterwards, in Ger
many aud France, the sumo aptitude for
languages gave him in few years-lS6l
to 1854 mastery of both those lnn-
guages, and his readings in them gave
him lurge acquaintance with their litcra-
lures. As q journalist in his connection
with tho C0urani, and as Mcrateu in
general, md as poet, many of our read
ers know him we'll.
After tho war, he spent year or two
in the South, having returned from Eu-
rope; this period partly in Columbia and
partly as teacher ut Prof Cubell's high
school in Virginia. He thcn-in the
summer of 1SGS-removed to New York
city, where he continued his literary
pursuits and studies teaching the class
ios and bellies letres, translating from Ger
man and French, and contributing To
periodical literature. He wrought und
lived much-almost wholly.-alone. lie
continued i.!a !abore they. ~ lie so!itnd:
and self-sustaining devotion to his pen
work, until few weeks ago, when de-
clining health forced him to seek rest
and renewal Of strength. He embarked
for England, wherc he had lived year
or two after his residence in France, and
for which he always felt passionate ut.
tachment as romantic as it was intense
It was too late. The eager spirit flew
faster than stenm. Death cume to him
at sea. Life fniled ns the Dcnmark
neared the Isle of Wight; and his ow,
wishes were carried ont as to burial
The pathless ocean bccame his grave
He had lived alone. He died alone; and
the solitary coffin that sank beneath the
historic waters of the English Channe
was lowered by stranger hands, aud nc
tears from kindred eyes sank with it.
His lonely life was peaceful. Peace
DO to his lonelier grave. Hc that cared
little for tho fitting opinions of the
many, cares less for the restless rocking
of the ocean that caught his useless gar
ment as it fell from him. j. w. u.
NOVEMBER, 1872.
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