s. She possessed a strong intellect, a
sympathizing heart, and a placid spirit. Her presence, like the
gentle dew and cheerful light, was felt by all around her. She
gave an elevated character to the tone of conversation in the
circles in which she moved, and directed attention to themes at
once pleasing and profitable.

As a mother, she was untiring in her efforts to secure the
happiness of her family. She ever entertained a lively sense of
the parental obligation, especially in regard to the education of
her children. The oft-repeated impressions of that sainted spirit,
on the hearts of those especially entrusted to her watch-care, can
never be effaced, and can hardly fail to induce them to follow her
to the brighter world. Her life was a living illustration of
Christian faith.

My childhood's home I remember as one with the open hand. The needy were
ever welcome, and to the clergy were accorded special household privileges.

Among the treasured reminiscences of my much respected parents, brothers,
and sisters, is the memory of my second brother, Albert Baker, who was,
next to my mother, the very dearest of my kindred. To speak of his
beautiful character as I cherish it, would require more space than this
little book can afford.

My brother Albert was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1834, and was
reputed one of the most talented, close, and thorough scholars ever
connected with that institution. For two or three years he read law at
Hillsborough, in the office of Franklin Pierce, afterwards President of the
United States; but later Albert spent a year in the office of the Hon.
Richard Fletcher of Boston. He was consequently admitted to the bar in two
States, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In 1837 he succeeded to the
law-office which Mr. Pierce had occupied, and was soon elected to the
Legislature of his native State, where he served the public interests
faithfully for two consecutive years. Among other important bills which
were carried through the Legislature by his persistent energy was one for
the abolition of imprisonment for debt.

In 1841 he received further political preferment, by nomination to
Congress on a majority vote of seven thousand,--it was the largest vote of
the State; but he passed away at the age of thirty-one, after a short
illness, before his election. His noble political antagonist, the Hon.
Isaac Hill, of Concord, wrote of my brother