Some of them are from ladies, and it is in these especially that one sees reflected the exquisite courtesy and gentleness of his nature. His refinement of feeling, indeed, was wonderful. It resembled the delicate instinct of womanhood. How many little incidents might be mentioned in illustration of this beautiful trait ! But they could not be related without intruding upon the altar and inner sanctities of the domestic circle. Of the sort of epistolary appeals made

*

poured in upon him from North and South, as if he were own cousin of the President elect. They show how much was thought of his influence; but they betray great ignorance of his character. He was, probably, as little fitted to aid an office-seeker as any man in the country. He had not a particle of worldly cunning, was extremely sensitive and modest about referring to his own claims, and I have no doubt (setting aside all moral considerations), would have more willingly risked his life in a duel than importune the President for an office. Many a New York ward bully has had more potential voice in the distribution of the national spoils than he ever possessed. He was just as well calculated to dance or play a bagpipe, as to fish in the filthy waters of executive patronage. He was persuaded, once or twice, to try to "procure an appointment" for an unfortunate relative; but he made awkward work of it. "As to your applying for an office in the customs," he wrote to a relative, "if you wish it, I will certainly exert my political influence in furthering your views. But my advice is decidedly against it. A subordinate office is a poor and precarious mode of livelihood. If you can possibly surmount your present difficulties, do not think of office. You would not like it. You are too proud and sensitive, and your independence would suffer inevitably. However, I speak entirely on your account. If your judgment points out that course, I will cheerfully aid you with my political friends." Writing later to the same relative, he says: "I regret much to hear that fortune still frowns upon you; but the longest storms must clear up at last. You know that you can command me to the extent of my power and ability. I feel no delicacy whatever in soliciting for you the office you desire. I have never asked my political friends for anything for myself; and knowing your qualifications, I do not see the slightest impropriety in urging your appointment." A little later he wrote again: "I received your letter this morning, and hasten to reply. I am both mortified and disgusted at the result of your application. Upon reflection, however, I cannot wonder at it. That an office should be given to a man simply because he is fitted for it and capable of fulfilling its duties, is a circumstance of such rare occurrence, that you must not think it strange that you have not increased the number. I would to Heaven it were in my power to aid you! I have suffered much myself but not as you have done."

* An extract from a letter of a young friend, who had determined to change the law for the study of divinity, will give an inkling of the characteristic referred to. The letter is dated January 3, 1838: "Your brother's kindness to me in his con

to him by persons in distress, the following is a sample. It is an extract from a letter, written by a lady in 1839 :

"Although unknown to you, I have presumed to trespass a few moments on your valuable time and your patience. Be assured, sir, that the high regard I have for your professional capacity, united to that nobleness of soul and kindliness of nature, which, I am told, you possess in an eminent degree, has alone encouraged me to do so. Mr. Prentiss, you have a mother! I, too, am a mother; and to you, I am convinced, that hallowed name will never cease to have a charm. Mine has been a checkered life. Misfortune has pursued me with unparalleled perseverance. And now I implore your opinion and advice on a subject, which involves my future destiny." She then goes on to tell him the long history of her troubles. The professional services gratuitously rendered by him in response to such appeals, were far more valuable than gold.

Another class of letters are in acknowledgement of some kindness. The following extract from one addressed to him, shortly before his death, by a lady of New Orleans may serve as a specimen :

While the events of the past week are still fresh in my memory, and ere another closes, permit me, my dear sir, to render to you the tribute of a grateful heart. You have been the instrument in the hand of God, of effecting that which none other could have done. While alone and separated from my dear husband, you have generously come forward to my aid, and by so doing have caused the heart of both parents and

versation and his acts, just before his departure for Washington, I shall never forget. It seems strange to me that such a man is not a Christian. He entered so warmly into my views, and seemed so to anticipate my wishes, that I know I am not saying too much, when I say he is the most noble and generous being I ever knew. But I am afraid to give utterance, even to you, to the opinion, which, form his uniform kindness towards me, I entertain of him. I owe to him every thing I have."

children to rejoice. Words, however, I find inadequate to express the emotions of my heart.

*

*

*

*

*

Praying that Heaven's choicest blessings may ever rest upon yourself and dear family, I subscribe myself your grateful friend.

His unselfish, considerate temper, his hospitality, his extreme fondness for children, and his ardent affections alike fitted him to enjoy domestic life, and to be, what he ever was, its sun and centre.* Page after page might be filled with anecdotes illustrative of his devotion to his mother, wife, children, and other near relatives. His feeling towards them, and the way he sometimes expressed it, would have seemed quite extravagant to one who did not know the perfect sincerity of his nature. But on this point his letters render it needless to say more.†

He never went to

"I miss so much his kind smile and affectionate greeting. his office without kissing us, when he left and when he returned. We always followed him to the door, and looked up the street after him, as far as we could see, and when his little carriage brought him home, we all went down to meet him, and receive again his fond kiss and words of love."-Extract of a Letter, dated August 31, 1850.

A remarkably characteristic anecdote, not only illustrative of his filial affection but also of his ready perception of the fitting thing to be said, is given as follows: When on a visit, some years ago, to the North, but after his reputation had become wide-spread, a distinguished lady of Portland took pains to obtain an introduction, by visiting the steamboat in which she learned he was to take his departure in a few moments. "I have wished to see you," said she to Mr. Prentiss, "for my heart has often congratulated the mother who has such a son." "Rather congratulate the son on having such a mother!" was the instant reply; and it was unaffected and heartfelt.

No man, perhaps, ever lived who received a greater number of personal compliments than Mr. Prentiss, but he always received them with that peculiar grace and dignity so eminent in his reply to the lady of Portland. One day, in New Orleans, I met him in the street, leading by the hand his two sons. I was struck with their evident resemblance to their father, and complimented him upon it. "Ah," said he, with the fondest look of affection, "they have the light hair and blue eye of the Anglo-Saxon robber; they are American boys."-Mr. Thorpe's Reminiscences.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Letters-Severe Illness-Visits the North with his Family-Reminiscences of this Visit-Fishing Excursions and Rides about Newburyport-His Interest in the Hungarian Struggle-Trips to Boston, New Bedford, and Martha's Vineyard-His Regard for Old Men-His Conversational Talent-Returns South-Letters-Rapid Failure of his Health-A Reminiscence by Col. Cobb-Devotion to his Professional Labors-Is invited to address the Story Law Association-LettersApproach of the Final Struggle-His last Appearance in Court-Letters to his Wife-Sudden Attack-Is removed to Natchez-The Closing Scene.

ET. 40-41.

1849-50.

LET us now return to the narrative.

In December, 1848,

the cholera broke out in New Orleans. In the course of the winter Mr. Prentiss had an attack, closely resembling that terrible disease, which brought him to the verge of death. He had not yet recovered from the prostrating effects of his political exertions during the previous summer and autumn; indeed, he never recovered from them. The weather, too, as appears from the following letters, was enough of itself to engender pestilence.

то HIS YOUNGEST BROTHER.

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 15, 1849.

MY DEAR BROTHER:

We have at length passed safely through the terrible epidemic which has filled this city, during the last month, with so much alarm and gloom. The disease has been bad enough in reality, but imagination has clothed it with a thousand unreal horrors.

I never witnessed a greater panic. In three or four days after it broke out, not less than 15,000 people fled from the city, and those that remained were little less frightened than those who ran away. It was soon apparent, however, that the mortality was principally confined to the exposed and the intemperate among the poorer classes; especially to the poor emigrants, who, arriving in large numbers, were huddled together upon the levee, without clothing or shelter. The weather for several weeks was worse than I ever before saw, and tended greatly to aggravate the disease. Few persons have died among those who were in comfortable condition and prudent in their diet. I do not miss more than two or three of my own acquaintances. One of our little servants was taken ill at the beginning of the disease, but recovered readily. We have all been sufferers from bad colds; otherwise my family has been remarkably well. To-day Jeanie has commenced going to school; she seems perfectly delighted with the idea, and I think she will learn rapidly. The baby grows finely, and is the best child we have had. I never hear her cry. She is full of vivacity and good temper. We expect Mrs. Williams down in a few days, to spend a month or two with us.

There is much gossip as to Gen. Taylor's Cabinet; but I do not believe he has yet made up his mind definitively. Crittenden has been offered a place, but has not yet decided to accept. My love to L. and the dear little children, in which Mary and our little brood join heartily.

You have already heard through Mary, of the severe illness under which I labored several weeks since. By the blessing of a kind Providence, I have entirely recovered from