sons of Maine as seamen for the
U. S. naval service. The wife of the Rev. Dr. Dwight had advised my
calling upon Mrs. Payson, Cumberland street, to obtain quarters. I did
so, and with my wife removed from a noisy hotel to the quiet of that
most desirable retreat. My brother made frequent visits to us, and, by
invitation of Mrs. Payson, dined with us on Sundays, and passed the
hours between meetings, accompanying the ladies to church in the
afternoons. This led to an acquaintance between Miss Payson and
himself. As they were both highly intellectual and were both "stepping
heavenward," they naturally fancied each other's conversation and
formed a mutual friendship. Until after my dear brother's death I
never imagined that it was more than a fondness for Miss Payson's
conversational gifts that induced him to call so frequently at
Cumberland street.... James was unexpectedly ordered to join the U. S.
schooner Grampus at Norfolk, Va., for a winter cruise on the Southern
coast for relief of distressed merchant vessels. The cruise continued
for some weeks without entering any port, but about the 20th of March,
1843, the Grampus appeared off the bar of Charleston, S. C., and sent in
a letter-bag for mailing. That night there came on a terrible gale and
the Grampus disappeared forever--no vestige of her ever having been
seen. She was commanded by Lt.-Commander Albert E. Downes, a good man
and a fine seaman, and who as a midshipman had sailed with me three
years before in the Pacific. My brother was educated for the law, and
studied his profession with the Hon. John Holmes, and, after completing
his studies, became Mr. Holmes' law-partner. But he being my only
brother, I was very desirous that he should obtain a commission as a
purser in the navy, in order that we might be associated on duty; and,
at Mr. H.'s request, he was appointed by General Harrison soon after his
inauguration. My brother then joined me in Portland. It is a consolation
to know that he lived and died in the exercise of those Christian
sentiments which were deeply instilled into his mind by the society of
your angelic wife, who has preceded you to our home of rest. God grant
that we may all meet there!

* * * * *

B.

S. S. PRENTISS.

One of the best informed writers on the history of the Revolutionary
times and of the war for the Union thus introduces a notice of Mr.
Prentiss:

Small in stature; limping in gait; broad