New-York tribune., 1875-03-08
OBITUARY..
MRS. HENRY NJ. FIELD.


The death of this distinguished lady which took
place at her city residence, Saturday night after
lingering illness of nearly year. has caused not
only tender sorrow in a wide family circle but
deep sense of personal loss in the intellectual and
social life of New-YOrk, in which she has
long held so conspicuous place. Although Mrs.
Field courted no publicity in the walks OF lltera-
ture. her admirable mental gifts aud her singuariy
graceful culture gave her an influence In the nigh
estspberes of refinement and thought, such as Is
rarely obtained by the most fortunate members OF
society. Like the celebrated Rahel Levin and
Henriette Herr in Berlin, she commanded
a certain natural homage by the force OF her
character and the brilliancy Of her endowments,
without the prestige Of original creation In letters
or art Among her most intimate acquaintance,
were many eminent persons of the day, who found
cordial refreshment in her society. not more from
the kindness of her manner than from the piqnancy
and intellectual stimulus of her conversation.
Familiar with the best literary productions in
English and French her mind was stored
with a wealth Of knowledge which un-
der the control of highly cultivated
taste she generously dispensed in the freedom of
social and friendly Intercourse. With strong pas
sion for society, not through any cravings for ad-
mratiOn, but from delight in intellectual compan-
ionship her presence was the life of every clrcte.
Her power of expression no less remarkable than
the affiuence of her ideas. She keenly enjoyed the
excitement of discussion, but never INDUCED IN
an ungracious love of argument Her earnestness IN
conversation betrayed desire for victory but was
the overflowing of full and Impassioned mind.
She no less appreciatlve listener than eloquent
discourser. Her Difference to every utterance OF
opinion feeling, though not little fattering TO
the sefove OF Der companions, was the trult OF no
unworthy compromise. but grew out OF the genuine
modesty and warm sympathies Of her nature. she
had heart surcharged with kindness to the un-
fortunate, to little children and to persons Of in
ferior talent and culture.
Mrs. Field was a native of France, but for more
than twenty-five years had been resident
IN this country. She born IN Paris
of a family connected with the nobility. ana
received the highest advantages of educaJon whcLI
were then TO be found IN tnat city Deprived OF
her parents at an early age. she was thrown mshly
upon her own resources aud with her natural loNe
of independence decided to become g9yeIlnesss'
With that purpose in view she repaired to England,
and was soon engaged III the family OF sr lnOmls
HislOp, to take charge of the education OF ms daugh
ter. an only child, now the Countess OF Mlnt0
waited in position. A friendship between
the teacher and pupil thus sprang up up
which found no interruption but In death.
During the illness of Mrs. Field, Lady Mimic was
constant in her letters of remembrance and ex-
pressOns OF friendship In one oi then 10 10 ta; 9
lG.
l cannot look back to my past without
recognizing in the years we spent together
the seed-time of all that has been best ana m
happiest in later life, and have cherished for
her a tender and grateful affection" short
time before the death of Mrs. Field, she sent lew
parting words to the friend OF her youth, ana man
hour or two her reply came back ~ follows Lady
Mimic has received her dear friends message Win
gratitude and grief. She desires to express once
more tho tender affection OF many years, prays IOr
reunion hereafter, and comfort for him VINO
mouns."
After leaving the family of Sir Thomas Hislop,
the young gOverness returned to FariS, "heIe sue
was ntrusted with the educationO the daughters OF
the Duke de Prasln for nearly elg0t year! UNI Iue
early part of sii, when she renqulshed the charge'
few months afterward, all Paris was cohVulsed ny
the shocking tragedy, which has now CecOine MS
tOrlcal the murder of the Duchess dc frasIh py
her husband, and his own subsequent sulclue' III
the legal investigation which followed, II was
conjectured that jeal alOusy of the late governess
might have had an influence IN the fearful transac-
ton. and she accordingly examined before tne
Chamber of Peers Every means was attempted TO
elicit the truth. and after long and thorough
scrutiny, not a shadow Of proof was found 10 coh-
firm the suspicion, and the inquiry was dismissed as
wholly without foundation. Although free'fron
every surnse unfavorable to herself the scene she
had passed through left gloom IN her memory,
and at the suggestion of the Rev. Frederic
MOnOd, Of whose family she had been member she
resolved 10 the ocean and torec0Yer the sefeh
ity Of her mind in new sphere OF activity. .o
She arrived in New-York in the Autumn or 1912
and engaged as teacher a leading female SEMI
nary of the citv where she soon gained the synpa-
thy and respect of many friends, until the
Spring Of 1851. when she, was married TO
the Rev Henry N. Field, at that time in the early
promise of his reputation, which las since been
widely spread botn as preacher and an author.
Mr.. Field wac the minister OF church IN west
Springfield. Mass, anu his bride was thus intro
duced TO "a prominent place among the inteulgent
and cultivated rural population Of the Connecticut
river valley. In this unaecustOmed scene OF duty,
she acquitted herself To admiration. She at
once made friends Of the people, adapted her-
self with singular facility TO their ways, eA-
changed the tastes of foreign breeding lot Ihe Sill
phcty of New En- gland village life, leaylrg an I'M
preston of her character upon her departure whch
Is still cherished in aifeetiQnate remembrance. To-
wards the end of 1854 Mr.. Field formed connectlon
with The Ner- York Erangeot since whlch tllhe tne
permanent residence OF the family mas been III tns
city, varied with occasional visits 10 Europe anu
Summer soiourn in Stockbridge giving an opportu-
nifty to his wife for the graphic correspondence
which from time to time has graced the columns OF
that journal.
La addifion TO her fine literary accomplishments,
Mrs Field possessed decided taste for Art, and for
several years was principal OF the French school OF
Art at the Cooper Union She also for some tlme
received as pupils many amateurs of the French
language aud literature, some of whom were
older than herself and who still cherish
the recollection OF me pleasan' deta;iu 81
instruction with a perpetual charm by the vVaclty
OF her manner aud the aptness OF her suggGstlors.
As a teacher, she was sngulariy tolerant OF hunah
intrmities, fertile i'll resOnrce, and with the COM
mand Of rare wealth OF Illustration ne aetylty
OF her intellect was something wonderful. Shohad
nexhaustible freshness OF interest III every cur
rent topic. every passing event, not the mere i'm
pulse OF wOmanly curiosity but the earnest denltc
To adjust her thinking 10 tue facts anu 10 regulate
her impressions by clear insight and just perception
Mrs. Field was brought up in the communion or
the Roman Catholic Church, % the beauty and ro-
nance of which ancient suciety she was tenderiy
alive, even after she had adopted from c0nVlc-
ton the less imaginative principles of tnc frot-
estaHt faitn. She was woman oi profound IeiIslo1
Instincts which were none the less gshulno and
sincere for not beng embodied IN iond professions
Her last days were filled with couli0il ana nope
She entered the dark valley with cheer ~ her heart
and a sml OF her lips. The sweetness OF her c0nn-
tenance Was but faint symbol OF her Iheftabie