ner sought
repose in the afternoon), enjoying, with the fresh air, exercise, and
charms of the country, the society of those so dear to him. He never
came home with a surly look--like some people who want to make an
impression that they have the world on their shoulders--to talk about
hard work, and hard times, or disagreeable matters, or to recount all
the wonderful things he had done, or had to do. But, with a step and a
countenance that seemed to say, "What a blessed and happy man I am!"
his presence always brought with it happiness and peace. He was not a
great talker, but he generally had something pleasant to say, or an
interesting anecdote to relate; for, with a keen perception of the
ludicrous, he possessed a talent for telling anecdotes admirably well,
and a humor that was irresistibly pervasive. No one could help feeling
its influence, and being all the happier for it.

I wish I could remember some of his anecdotes, and do them
justice in the relation; but I know the attempt would be futile: for
there was so much in the look and manner that gave a zest to his
conversation, and rendered it attractive, that it would be impossible
to convey a correct idea of it in words. None can feel, or fully
appreciate it, without having had the privilege of being in his
presence. A friend, to whom he was much attached, and at whose house
he frequently visited, mentioned to me, since his death, that he and
his wife had, from their early acquaintance with him, been in the habit
of referring often to what "Mr. Charless" would say, recalling his
conversation, and talking so much about him, that one day he asked,
"Wife, how is it we cannot help talking of Mr. Charless?--what is
there about him that impresses us so? It is not really what he says,
but the way he says it. It is his humor, his benevolence of manner,
his inimitable pleasantry, etc."

With these qualities, I need not say that he was an acquisition
to society. He enjoyed it at home or abroad; at the evening party, or
with a few friends around the social board. With a genial nature, he
had a facility for adaptation, so that it was easy for him to feel
perfectly at home, and unrestrained, with all classes and conditions of
men, young or old, gay or grave. He was particularly fond of young
people, and generally had a "little sweetheart" among the girls, with
whom he would occasionally carry on a spirited flirtation.

In the fall of 1841, immediately after his