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EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE LATE AMOS LAWRENCE;
EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY AND CORRESPONDENCE OF THE LATE AMOS LAWRENCE;
WITH A Brief Account of Some Incidents in his Life . EDITED BY HIS SON, WILLIAM R. LAWRENCE, M. D. ——— BOSTON: G O U L D A N D L I N C O L N, 59 WASHINGTON STREET. NEW YORK: SHELDON, LAMPORT & BLAKEMAN. LONDON: TRUBNER & CO. 1856. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1855, by WILLIAM R. LAWRENCE, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts BOSTON: Stereotyped by HOBART & ROBBINS, New England Type and Stereotype Foundery. ———
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
Among the papers of the late Amos Lawrence were found copies of a large number of letters addressed to his children. With the hope that the good counsels there given, during a succession of years, extending from their childhood to adult age, might still be made profitable to their descendants, he had caused them to be carefully preserved. These letters, as well as an irregular record of his daily experience, were scattered through many volumes, and required arrangement before they could be of us
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LETTERS, REQUESTING PUBLICATION.
LETTERS, REQUESTING PUBLICATION.
Rooms of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union, 6 Bedford-street, Boston, June 22, 1855. William R. Lawrence, Esq. Dear Sir: The undersigned, members of the Government of the Boston Young Men's Christian Union, some of whom have perused the excellent memoir of your honored father, feel deeply impressed with the desire that it should be published and circulated, knowing that its publication and perusal would greatly benefit the young, the old, and all classes of our busy mercantile community. Re
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BIRTH.—ANCESTRY.—PARENTS.
BIRTH.—ANCESTRY.—PARENTS.
Amos Lawrence was born in Groton, Mass., on the 22d of April, 1786. His ancestor, John Lawrence, was baptized, according to the records, on the 8th of October, 1609, at Wisset, County of Suffolk, England, where the family had resided for a long period, though originally from the County of Lancaster. Butler, in his "History of Groton," has, among other details, the following: "The first account of the ancestor of the numerous families of this name in Groton and Pepperell, which can be relied upon
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EARLY YEARS.—SCHOOL DAYS.—APPRENTICESHIP.
EARLY YEARS.—SCHOOL DAYS.—APPRENTICESHIP.
The first public instruction received by Mr. Lawrence was at the district school kept at a short distance from his father's house. Possessing a feeble constitution, he was often detained at home by sickness, where he employed himself industriously with his books and tools, in the use of which he acquired a good degree of skill, as may be seen from a letter to his son, at Groton, in 1839: "Near the barn used to be an old fort, where the people went to protect themselves from the Indians; and, lon
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ARRIVAL IN BOSTON.—CLERKSHIP.—COMMENCES BUSINESS.—HABITS.—LETTERS.
ARRIVAL IN BOSTON.—CLERKSHIP.—COMMENCES BUSINESS.—HABITS.—LETTERS.
On the 22d of April, 1807, Mr. Lawrence became of age; and his apprenticeship, which had lasted seven years, was terminated. On the 29th of the same month, he took his father's horse and chaise, and engaged a neighbor to drive him to Boston, with, as he says, many years afterwards,— "Twenty dollars in my pocket, but feeling richer than I had ever felt before, or have felt since; so rich that I gave the man who came with me two dollars to save him from any expense, and insure him against loss by
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BUSINESS HABITS.—HIS FATHER'S MORTGAGE.—RESOLUTIONS.—ARRIVAL OF BROTHERS IN BOSTON.
BUSINESS HABITS.—HIS FATHER'S MORTGAGE.—RESOLUTIONS.—ARRIVAL OF BROTHERS IN BOSTON.
Mr. Lawrence had early formed, in the management of his affairs, certain principles, to which he rigidly adhered till the close of life. He writes: "I adopted the plan of keeping an accurate account of merchandise bought and sold each day, with the profit as far as practicable. This plan was pursued for a number of years; and I never found my merchandise fall short in taking an account of stock, which I did as often at least as once in each year. I was thus enabled to form an opinion of my actua
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VISITS AT GROTON.—SICKNESS.—LETTER FROM DR. SHATTUCK.—ENGAGEMENT.—LETTER TO REV. DR. GANNETT.—MARRIAGE.
VISITS AT GROTON.—SICKNESS.—LETTER FROM DR. SHATTUCK.—ENGAGEMENT.—LETTER TO REV. DR. GANNETT.—MARRIAGE.
During these years, Mr. Lawrence was in the habit of making occasional visits to his parents in Groton, thirty-five miles distant. His custom was to drive himself, leaving Boston at a late hour on Saturday afternoon, and often, as he says, encroaching upon the Sabbath before reaching home. After midnight, on Sunday, he would leave on his return; and thus was enabled to reach Boston about daybreak on Monday morning, without losing a moment's time in his business. In 1810, Mr. Lawrence was seized
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BRAMBLE NEWS.—JUNIOR PARTNER GOES TO ENGLAND.—LETTERS TO BROTHER.
BRAMBLE NEWS.—JUNIOR PARTNER GOES TO ENGLAND.—LETTERS TO BROTHER.
In 1849, Mr. Lawrence writes as follows: "On the 1st of January, 1814, I took my brother Abbott into partnership on equal shares, putting fifty thousand dollars, that I had then earned, into the concern. Three days afterwards, the 'Bramble News' came, by which the excessive high price of goods was knocked down. Our stock was then large, and had cost a high price. He was in great anguish, considering himself a bankrupt for at least five thousand dollars. I cheered him by offering to cancel our co
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DEATH OF SISTER.—LETTERS.
DEATH OF SISTER.—LETTERS.
On the 19th of August, 1815, Mr. Lawrence, in the following letter to his brother, announced the sudden death of a sister, who to youth and beauty united many valuable qualities of mind and character: "To you, who are at such a distance from home, and employed in the busy pursuits of life, the description of domestic woe will not come with such force as on us who were eye-witnesses to an event which we and all our friends shall not cease to deplore. We have attended this morning to the last sad
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DOMESTIC HABITS.—ILLNESS AND DEATH OF WIFE.
DOMESTIC HABITS.—ILLNESS AND DEATH OF WIFE.
In searching for records of the business at this period, the first copied letters are found in a volume commencing with the date of March 10, 1815; since which period the correspondence, contained in many volumes, is complete. On the first page of this volume is a letter from the senior partner somewhat characteristic. It relates to a bill of exchange for two thousand rupees, which he knew was a doubtful one, but which he had taken to relieve the pressing necessities of a young Englishwoman from
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JOURNEYS.—LETTERS.—JOURNEY TO NEW YORK.
JOURNEYS.—LETTERS.—JOURNEY TO NEW YORK.
The sense of loss and the state of depression under which Mr. Lawrence labored were so great, that he was advised to try a change of scene; and accordingly, after having placed his three children with kind relatives in the country, he left Boston, on a tour, which lasted some weeks, through the Middle States and Virginia. He wrote many letters during this time, describing the scenes which he daily witnessed, and particularly the pleasure which he experienced in Virginia from the unbounded hospit
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MARRIAGE.—ELECTED TO LEGISLATURE.—ENGAGES IN MANUFACTURES.—REFLECTIONS.
MARRIAGE.—ELECTED TO LEGISLATURE.—ENGAGES IN MANUFACTURES.—REFLECTIONS.
In April, 1821, Mr. Lawrence was married to Mrs. Nancy Ellis, widow of the late Judge Ellis, of Claremont, N. H., and daughter of Robert Means, Esq., of Amherst, in the same State. His children, who had been placed with his parents and sisters at Groton, were brought home; and he was now permitted again to unite his family under his own roof, and to enjoy once more those domestic comforts so congenial to his taste, and which each revolving year seemed to increase until the close of his life. Mr.
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REFLECTIONS.—BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.—LETTERS.
REFLECTIONS.—BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.—LETTERS.
1st of January, 1828. —After an account of his affairs, he remarks: "The amount of property is great for a young man under forty-two years of age, who came to this town when he was twenty-one years old with no other possessions than a common country education, a sincere love for his own family, and habits of industry, economy, and sobriety. Under God, it is these same self-denying habits, and a desire I always had to please, so far as I could without sinful compliance, that I can now look back u
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JOURNEY TO CANADA.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—CHARITIES.
JOURNEY TO CANADA.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—CHARITIES.
Mr. Lawrence, with a large party, left Boston on the 13th of June, and passed through Vermont, across the Green Mountains, to Montreal and Quebec. Compared with these days of railroad facilities, the journey was slow. It was performed very leisurely in hired private vehicles, and seems to have been much enjoyed. He gives a glowing account of the beauty of the country through which he passed, as well as his impressions of the condition of the population. From Quebec the party proceeded to Niagara
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CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. WEBSTER.—LETTERS.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. WEBSTER.—LETTERS.
( TO HIS SON. ) "February 5, 1830. "Be sure and visit La Grange before you return; say to General Lafayette that the Bunker Hill Monument will certainly be finished , and that the foolish project of a lottery has been abandoned. If, in the course of Providence, I should be taken away, I hope my children will feel it a duty to continue the efforts that are made in this work, which I have had so much at heart, and have labored so much for." To his son, then at school at Versailles, he writes on Fe
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TESTIMONIAL TO MR. WEBSTER.—DANGEROUS ILLNESS.—LETTERS.
TESTIMONIAL TO MR. WEBSTER.—DANGEROUS ILLNESS.—LETTERS.
During the autumn of 1830, in order to testify in a more marked manner his appreciation of Mr. Webster's distinguished services in the Senate of the United States, Mr. Lawrence presented to that gentleman a service of silver plate, accompanied by the following note: " Boston , October 23, 1830. " Hon. Daniel Webster. " Dear Sir : Permit me to request your acceptance of the accompanying small service of plate, as a testimony of my gratitude for your services to the country in your late efforts in
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JOURNEY TO NEW HAMPSHIRE.—LETTERS.—RESIGNS OFFICE OF TRUSTEE AT HOSPITAL.—LETTERS.
JOURNEY TO NEW HAMPSHIRE.—LETTERS.—RESIGNS OFFICE OF TRUSTEE AT HOSPITAL.—LETTERS.
A few days after the date of the preceding letter, a change was thought desirable for the improvement of Mr. Lawrence's health; and he accordingly, with Mrs. L., went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and remained a week with his friend and brother-in-law, the late Hon. Jeremiah Mason. From thence he proceeded to visit friends in Amherst, New Hampshire, where he was attacked by a severe rheumatic fever, which confined him for several weeks; and it was with great difficulty that he succeeded in reach
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DAILY EXERCISE.—REGIMEN.—IMPROVING HEALTH.—LETTERS.
DAILY EXERCISE.—REGIMEN.—IMPROVING HEALTH.—LETTERS.
During the summer and autumn of 1832, Mr. Lawrence's health and strength were so much improved, that he was enabled to take exercise on horseback; and almost daily he took long rides, sometimes alone, sometimes with a friend, about the environs of the city. This habit he was enabled to continue, with some intermissions, for two or three years, through summer and winter. The effect of the exercise amidst the beautiful scenery of the environs of Boston, of which he was an enthusiastic admirer, was
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REFLECTIONS.—VISIT TO WASHINGTON.—VISIT TO RAINSFORD ISLAND.—VIEWS OF DEATH.—REFLECTIONS.
REFLECTIONS.—VISIT TO WASHINGTON.—VISIT TO RAINSFORD ISLAND.—VIEWS OF DEATH.—REFLECTIONS.
From memorandum-book of property, December 31, 1835: "My expenses have been —— thousand dollars this year; of which about one half went for persons and objects that make me feel that it has been well expended, and is better used than to remain in my possession. God grant that I may have the disposition to use these talents in such manner as to receive at last the joyful sound of 'Well done!'" On March 29, 1836, Mr. Lawrence writes: "My anxiety for a day or two about little things kept me from th
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BROTHER'S DEATH.—LETTERS.—GIFTS.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—APPLICANTS FOR AID.—REFLECTIONS.—LETTER FROM REV. DR. STONE.—DIARY.
BROTHER'S DEATH.—LETTERS.—GIFTS.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—APPLICANTS FOR AID.—REFLECTIONS.—LETTER FROM REV. DR. STONE.—DIARY.
If, at the close of the last year, Mr. Lawrence could say that "his happiness had been superior to that of any year of his life," it could not be said that its successor was one of unmingled brightness. The unbroken band of brothers who had marched thus far hand in hand, united by a common bond of sympathy and affection, sustaining each other in all trials, and rejoicing together in their common prosperity, was about to be sundered. Since their earliest days, they had had but one interest, and,
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REFLECTIONS.—LETTERS.—ACCOUNT OF EFFORTS TO COMPLETE BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
REFLECTIONS.—LETTERS.—ACCOUNT OF EFFORTS TO COMPLETE BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
In the memorandum-book of property for 1843 is found the usual estimate and list of expenditures; after which Mr. Lawrence writes as follows: "My outlay for other objects than my own family, for the last fourteen years, has been —— dollars, which sum I esteem better invested than if in bond and mortgage in the city; and I have reason to believe many have been comforted and assisted by it, and its influence will be good on those who follow me. God grant me grace to be faithful to my trust!" To Ho
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INTEREST IN MOUNT AUBURN.—REV. DR. SHARP.—LETTER FROM BISHOP McILVAINE.—LETTER FROM JUDGE STORY.
INTEREST IN MOUNT AUBURN.—REV. DR. SHARP.—LETTER FROM BISHOP McILVAINE.—LETTER FROM JUDGE STORY.
After the establishment of the cemetery at Mount Auburn, Mr. Lawrence had taken a deep interest in its progress, as well as in every plan for its gradual improvement and embellishment. In connection with his brothers, he had purchased a large space, which had been enclosed by a permanent granite wall and iron railing. To this spot he habitually resorted, containing, as it did, the remains of some of the dearest earthly objects of his affection, and destined, as it was, to be the final resting-pl
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ACQUAINTANCE WITH PRESIDENT HOPKINS.—LETTERS.—AFFECTION FOR BRATTLE-STREET CHURCH.—DEATH OF MRS. APPLETON.—LETTERS.—AMESBURY CO.
ACQUAINTANCE WITH PRESIDENT HOPKINS.—LETTERS.—AFFECTION FOR BRATTLE-STREET CHURCH.—DEATH OF MRS. APPLETON.—LETTERS.—AMESBURY CO.
At the commencement of the year 1844, President Hopkins, of Williams College, delivered a course of lectures on the "Evidences of Christianity," before the Lowell Institute, in Boston. Mr. Lawrence had previously seen him, and had thought that he detected, in some features of his face, a resemblance to the family of his first wife. In allusion to this acquaintance, he writes to his son about this period: "President H. has the family look of your mother enough to belong to them; and it was in con
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DEATH OF HIS DAUGHTER.—LETTERS.—DONATION TO WILLIAMS COLLEGE.—BENEFICENCE.—LETTERS.
DEATH OF HIS DAUGHTER.—LETTERS.—DONATION TO WILLIAMS COLLEGE.—BENEFICENCE.—LETTERS.
On the 29th of November, Mr. Lawrence addressed to his son a most joyous letter, announcing the birth of twin-grand daughters, and the comfortable health of his daughter, the wife of the Rev. Charles Mason, Rector of St. Peter's Church, at Salem, Massachusetts. The letter is filled with the most devout expressions of gratitude at the event, and cheering anticipations for the future, and yet with some feelings of uneasiness lest the strength of his daughter should not be sufficient to sustain her
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LETTER FROM DR. SHARP.—ILLNESS AND DEATH OF SON.—LETTERS.—AFFLICTIONS.
LETTER FROM DR. SHARP.—ILLNESS AND DEATH OF SON.—LETTERS.—AFFLICTIONS.
The Rev. Dr. Sharp, of the Baptist denomination, who has been previously alluded to as a valued friend of Mr. Lawrence, had made a visit to England, the land of his birth, after an absence of forty years, and thus addresses him from Leeds, July 1: "I esteem it one of the happy events of my life that I have been made personally acquainted with you. Not certainly because of your kind benefactions to me and mine, but because I have enjoyed your conversation, and have been delighted with those manif
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EXPENDITURES.—LETTERS.—DONATION FOR LIBRARY AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE.—VIEWS ON STUDY OF ANATOMY.
EXPENDITURES.—LETTERS.—DONATION FOR LIBRARY AT WILLIAMS COLLEGE.—VIEWS ON STUDY OF ANATOMY.
" January 1, 1846. —The business of the past year has been very prosperous in our country; and my own duties seem more clearly pointed out than ever before. What am I left here for, and the young branches taken home? Is it not to teach me the danger of being unfaithful to my trusts? Dear R. taken! the delight of my eyes, a treasure secured! which explains better than in any other way what my Father sees me in need of. I hope to be faithful in applying some of my trusts to the uses God manifestly
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DONATION TO LAWRENCE ACADEMY.—CORRESPONDENCE WITH R. G. PARKER.—SLEIGH-RIDES.—LETTERS.—AVERSION TO NOTORIETY.—CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
DONATION TO LAWRENCE ACADEMY.—CORRESPONDENCE WITH R. G. PARKER.—SLEIGH-RIDES.—LETTERS.—AVERSION TO NOTORIETY.—CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
Mr. Lawrence had always taken a deep interest in the academy at Groton, of which he, with all his brothers and sisters, had been members. The residence of his former master, James Brazer, Esq., with whom he lived when an apprentice, bordered on the academy grounds. It was a large, square, old-fashioned house, and easily convertible to some useful purpose, whenever the growing prosperity of the institution should require it. He accordingly purchased the estate; and, in July, 1846, presented it to
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CAPTAIN A. S. McKENZIE.—DIARY.—AID TO IRELAND.—MADAM PRESCOTT.—SIR WILLIAM COLEBROOKE.
CAPTAIN A. S. McKENZIE.—DIARY.—AID TO IRELAND.—MADAM PRESCOTT.—SIR WILLIAM COLEBROOKE.
( TO CAPT. ALEXANDER SLIDELL McKENZIE, U. S. N. ) "November 2, 1846. " My dear Sir : I was exceedingly gratified by your kind remembrance of me, a few days since, in sending me a copy of your 'Life of Decatur,' which to its merits as a biography adds the charm of bringing before me my old friend Bainbridge, and the writer, whom I have felt a strong interest in ever since reading his 'Year in Spain;' for my son resided in the same family soon after you left, and made me acquainted with you before
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MR. LAWRENCE AS AN APPLICANT.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—PRAYER AND MEDITATIONS.—LIBERALITY TO A CREDITOR.—LETTERS.
MR. LAWRENCE AS AN APPLICANT.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—PRAYER AND MEDITATIONS.—LIBERALITY TO A CREDITOR.—LETTERS.
It was not uncommon for Mr. Lawrence, when a good work was in progress, to give not only his own means, but to lend a helping hand by soliciting contributions from others. The following note, addressed to a wealthy bachelor, is a specimen: " Boston , June 11, 1847. " My dear Sir : You will be surprised at this letter, coming as it does as a first; but I know, from my experience of your skill and talents as a business man, how pleasant it is to you to make good bargains and safe investments; and,
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REFLECTIONS.—VIEWS ON HOLDING OFFICE.—LETTERS.—CAPTAIN A. SLIDELL McKENZIE.—DEATH OF BROTHER, AND OF HON. J. MASON.
REFLECTIONS.—VIEWS ON HOLDING OFFICE.—LETTERS.—CAPTAIN A. SLIDELL McKENZIE.—DEATH OF BROTHER, AND OF HON. J. MASON.
" Jan. 1, 1848. —In reviewing the scenes and the business of the past year, I have continued evidence of that mercy which a Father bestows on his children, and a louder call to yield more fully than I ever yet have done to the teachings he designs. Many things that seem dark, of which the reasons are not understood, will be made clear at the right time. It is manifest that my stewardship is not so far well done as to permit me to fold my arms and feel easy. No: my life is spared for more work. M
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SYSTEM IN ACCOUNTS.—LETTER FROM PROF. STUART.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—DR. HAMILTON.—FATHER MATTHEW.
SYSTEM IN ACCOUNTS.—LETTER FROM PROF. STUART.—LETTERS.—DIARY.—DR. HAMILTON.—FATHER MATTHEW.
" January 1, 1849. — The habit of keeping an account of my expenditures for objects other than for my family, and for strictly legal calls, I have found exceedingly convenient and satisfactory; as I have been sometimes encouraged, by looking back to some entry of aid to a needy institution or individual, to do twice as much for some other needy institution or individual. I can truly say, that I deem these outlays my best, and would not, if I could by a wish, have any of them back again. I adopte
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CODICIL TO WILL.—ILLNESS.—GEN. WHITING.—LETTERS.—DIARY.
CODICIL TO WILL.—ILLNESS.—GEN. WHITING.—LETTERS.—DIARY.
In August, 1849, Mr. Lawrence reviewed his will and added to it the following codicil: "Through the mercy of God, my life has been prolonged to this time, and my mental and bodily powers continued to me to an extent that has enabled me to see to the application of those trusts that have been confided to me; and, should my stewardship end now or next year, and the 'Well done' of the Master be pronounced upon my labors, all things here will seem nothing, and less than nothing, in comparison. "In s
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DIARY.—REFLECTIONS.—SICKNESS.—LETTER PROM REV. DR. SHARP.—CORRESPONDENCE.
DIARY.—REFLECTIONS.—SICKNESS.—LETTER PROM REV. DR. SHARP.—CORRESPONDENCE.
On the first of January, 1850, Mr. Lawrence, as usual, reviews, in his property-book, the state of his affairs during the preceding year, with an estimate of his expenditures. The entry for the present year is as follows: "The amount of my expenditures for all objects (taxes included) is about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. I consider the money well spent, and pray God constantly that I may be watchful in the use of the blessings he bestows, so that at last he may admit me among the fa
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AMIN BEY.—AMOUNT OF DONATIONS TO WILLIAMS COLLEGE.
AMIN BEY.—AMOUNT OF DONATIONS TO WILLIAMS COLLEGE.
In November, 1850, Amin Bey, Envoy from the Sultan of Turkey to the United States, visited Boston. Among other attentions, Mr. Lawrence accompanied him on a visit to the Female Orphan Asylum, then containing about one hundred inmates; and the pleasant intercourse was continued by a visit of the minister at Mr. Lawrence's house. The following note accompanied a number of volumes relating to Boston and its vicinity: ( TO HIS EXCELLENCY AMIN BEY. ) " My Brother : The manifest pleasure you felt in v
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LETTERS.—DIARY.
LETTERS.—DIARY.
At the beginning of the year 1851, Mr. Lawrence writes to President Hopkins: "The closing of the old year was like our western horizon after sunset, bright and beautiful; the opening of the new, radiant with life, light, and hope, and crowned with such a costume of love as few old fathers, grandfathers, and uncles, can muster; in short, my old sleigh is the pet of the season, and rarely appears without being well filled, outside and inside. It is a teacher to the school-children, no less than to
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SIR T. F. BUXTON.—LETTER FROM LADY BUXTON.—ELLIOTT CRESSON.—LETTERS.
SIR T. F. BUXTON.—LETTER FROM LADY BUXTON.—ELLIOTT CRESSON.—LETTERS.
After the death of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Mr. Lawrence had read what had been published respecting his life and character, and had formed an exalted opinion of his labors in behalf of the African race. A small volume had been issued, entitled "A Study for Young Men, or a Sketch of Sir T. F. Buxton," by Rev. T. Binney, of London. Mr. Lawrence had purchased and circulated large numbers of this work, which recorded the deeds of one upon whom he considered the mantle of Wilberforce to have fallen
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LETTERS—REV. DR. SCORESBY.—WABASH COLLEGE.
LETTERS—REV. DR. SCORESBY.—WABASH COLLEGE.
After receiving a note from a relative of Lady Colebrooke, announcing her death, at Dunscombe, in the island of Barbadoes, Mr. Lawrence wrote the following note of sympathy to her husband, Sir William Colebrooke, then Governor of that island. She will be remembered as the lady who had formerly visited Boston, and who was alluded to in one of his letters, as a niece of Major André: " Dear Sir William : I lose no time in expressing to you the feelings of my heart, on reading the brief notice of th
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DIARY.—AMOUNT OF CHARITIES.—LETTERS.—THOMAS TARBELL.—UNCLE TOBY.—REV. DR. LOWELL.
DIARY.—AMOUNT OF CHARITIES.—LETTERS.—THOMAS TARBELL.—UNCLE TOBY.—REV. DR. LOWELL.
" January 1, 1852. —The value of my property is somewhat more than it was a year ago, and I pray God that I may be faithful in its use. My life seems now more likely to be spared for a longer season than for many years past; and I never enjoyed myself more highly. Praise the Lord, O my soul! "P. S.—The outgoes for all objects since January 1, 1842 (ten years), have been six hundred and four thousand dollars more than five sixths of which have been applied in making other people happy; and it is
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CORRESPONDENCE.—DIARY.
CORRESPONDENCE.—DIARY.
( FROM LADY BUXTON. ) " Northrupp's Hill , Sept. 8, 1852. " My dear Friend : Again I have to thank you for your kind remembrance of me in your note and little book on the abuse of tobacco, and your sympathy with me in my late deep anxiety, ending in the removal of my most tenderly beloved and valued daughter Priscilla. It pleased God to take her to himself on June 18, to the inexpressible loss and grief of myself, and her husband and children. We surely sorrow with hope; for she had loved and fo
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MR. LAWRENCE SERVES AS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR.—GEN. FRANKLIN PIERCE.—SUDDEN DEATH.—FUNERAL.
MR. LAWRENCE SERVES AS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR.—GEN. FRANKLIN PIERCE.—SUDDEN DEATH.—FUNERAL.
In November, Robert G. Shaw, Esq., and Mr. Lawrence, were chosen Presidential Electors for the district in which they resided. Both, at that time, were in the enjoyment of their usual health, and yet both were removed within a few months by death. The Electoral College was convened in the State House at Boston, in December; and Mr. Lawrence has noticed the event by a memorandum, endorsed upon his commission of Elector, as follows: " December 1. —I have attended to the duty, and have given my vot
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SKETCH OF CHARACTER BY REV. DRS. LOTHROP AND HOPKINS.
SKETCH OF CHARACTER BY REV. DRS. LOTHROP AND HOPKINS.
The correspondence in the preceding pages will, perhaps, give a clearer view of the character of Mr. Lawrence than anything which can be adduced by others. It may not be amiss, however, to quote what has been written by two of his most intimate friends, who had the most ample means of forming a just estimate of the man, and of the motives by which he was actuated. Dr. Lothrop, in his sermon preached on the Sunday after the funeral, says: "I have intimated that Mr. Lawrence was intellectually gre
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CONCLUSION.
CONCLUSION.
Mr. Lawrence was of about the medium height, and, until reduced by sickness, was erect in person, and active and vigorous in his movements. The expression of his countenance was mild and cheerful, partaking of that benevolent cast which one would have been led to expect from the tenor of his daily life. His affections were warm, and his feelings quick and ardent. His temperament was of a nervous character, thereby inclining him to impatience. With this defect he had to struggle much in early lif
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