MEMOIR. JOHN W. CURTIS, the eldest son of Zechariah Curtis, was born at Troy, in the State of New York, on the 7th January, 1804. His grandfather, on the mother's side, and his father, were among the early settlers of this now large and flourishing city. To this grandfather, William Roberts, Sen.-who had served in several engagements during the great Revolutionary struggle-he was indebted for many a thrilling tale 66 Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach." The grandsire received an attentive hearing, for the young listener deemed it his most delightful recreation, during his earlier studies, to watch the old man relating his stirring stories and "fighting his battles o'er again." Both are now gone; but the Revolutionary soldier, with the iron constitution of the men of those days and scenes, survived his grandson for about two years. Contemplative and retiring, from early childhood, the young student was left, to a great extent, to read those books and frequent those haunts which his own mind suggested as in best accordance with his taste. The works of the standard English poets had become familiar to him be fore he commenced the Latin, and a volume of a favorite one of them was not unfrequently his sole companion in his wanderings along the banks of the Poesten-kill, or beneath the shade of stately Ida. To those who have viewed the falls of Poesten-kill, or the prospect from Mount Ida, in the immediate vicinity of Troy, it will not appear strange that the youthful poet should soon have searched them out, or that what there met his eye, as he turned from his book, should have seemed the work of sudden enchantment. Like his own Lautaro, he The views are certainly among the finest in a country abounding in fine scenery. His education, preparatory to college, was entrusted to the care of Dr. Stodart and Mr. M'Niece, both of whom were good classical scholars. His advancement under the latter was rapid; so much so, that he was induced to study a year longer than he had originally intended, before he entered college. These years, immediately preceding his college life, were devoted to a discriminating study of the best Latin and Greek authors-his common-place book abounds with choice extracts from them, together with his own translations. Several of these translations will appear in this volume; but, out of many of them, the following is selected as an evidence of his powers at the age of thirteen: "Non possidentem multa vocaveris Nomen beati, qui Deorum Duramque callet pauperiem pati, Non ille pro caris amicis Aut patria timidus perire." HORACE, B. IV., O. 9, L. 45. MEMOIR. "Thou hast not rightly said, that he is happy His hand and sword, ne'er shows himself a coward?" 11 Fully prepared to pass the examination in both the classical and mathematical departments, he joined the Sophomore class at Union College in September, 1821. By previous severe study, he secured much time, during his college life, to devote to general reading, and his compositions, while in the Sophomore class, evinced much rare research, besides their usual pious tone of feeling. "Lautaro" was written in the course of the first year, and the reader will perceive that the holy patriotism which it breathes is only excelled by its glowing sympathy with the youthful hero's amiable and social qualities of heart. "Such were his dreams" at seventeen; and though "full soon to manhood's dawning prime he grew," he did not cease to build up mansions of happiness for the future-imaginary, like Lautaro's, alas! and all alike destined to be destroyed by disease and reverses. Admitted a member of the Philomathean Society, when in the Junior class, he soon vied with its most promising writers, both in prose and verse. New studies brought new vigor, and acquiring confidence from repeated successes, he toiled on, encouraged by the earnest solicitude of his instructors, and by the increasing respect of his classmates. To the former he had endeared himself by his diligence and submissive spirit, and to the latter by his unobtrusive deportment and freedom from all affectation. It was at this time that the author of Waverley deservedly stood at his greatest height, as the most popular romance writer of the day, and the young collegiah, in common with the youthful minds about him, read, admired and felt. Joined to this feeling for Scott, was a full and hearty appreciation of the best Scottish writers, and an enthusiastic admiration of their country, and their virtues and manners as a people. Accordingly, at the Junior exhibition of this year, he delivered a poem upon "The Scottish Character," the second in this volume. Passages of peculiar force and fire are to be found in it, and many of them elicited the warmest admiration from a rare critic, his instructor, Prof. Potter, now Bishop of Pennsylvania. The reader will see how far the young author entered into his subject-how truthfully he could say, "And standing on the grave of ages gone, Their spirit gather from the sculptured stone." While in the Senior year, his mind was deeply impressed with the necessity of commencing a course of Biblical study, preparatory to his entrance into the General Theological Seminary, at New York, the following year. Neither unwearied attention to collegiate studies in all their variety, nor larger and more intimate knowledge of men and things, had diminished his reverence for the Sacred Volume, or weakened his determination, formed in early youth, to consecrate "life, talent, effort," to the work of saving souls. He had long participated in the holy Communion, administered by his pastor, early friend and guide, the late Rev. Dr. David Butler, of Troy, whose staunch and unwavering Christian course had from youth been his theme of deep regard, and time had only increased that regard for the holy man and his sacred office. Excellent old Christian! young teacher and warm-hearted brother! your spirits have met in Paradise! The "Poesy of Religion" was delivered at the conclusion of the Senior year, and the young author graduated with MEMOIR. 13 the highest honors, leaving the college walls with the most flattering testimonials from both President and Professors. Not less distinguished was his course at the Theological Seminary, which he entered in the autumn of 1824. He found time, while at this institution, to acquire a knowledge of the German and Spanish languages, while the regular recitations were rigidly attended to. French he had previously made himsef familiar with, and the Italian was added at a period some three or four years later. Vocal and instrumental music likewise received a share of his attention; his piano-forte playing, in particular, was characterized by intense feeling and a delicate touch. But towards the end of his third and last year, while indulging in the most sanguine expectations relating to his future usefulness, his health failed. To a frame naturally slight, and a temperament combining the extremes of the nervous and the melancholic, was now added dyspepsia in one of its most afflicting forms. He was encouraged, however, at the prospect of changing his course of life for one of more active pursuits; and immediately after his ordination by Bishop Hobart, who earnestly requested him to accept of a call to Canandaigua, in this State, he consented, and entered upon his duties towards the end of the summer of 1827. But the excitement and fatigue were too severe; his continued weak state obliged him to return home in the fall of the same year, dejected, disappointed. He remained at home during the following winter, dividing his time between taking much active exercise in the open air, and acquiring a more intimate knowledge of the modern languages and polite literature. But though his health improved, his mind still seemed depressed. The prospect of an entire recovery appeared gloomy. His feelings will be best discovered from the following lines, written about this time: |