308 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



years, Dr. Jenks proved to be a most valuable pioneer and counsel- 

 lor. He had never crossed the ocean ; but it is believed that he could 

 have imparted valuable information touching their own countries, in 

 his own home, to travellers hither from all parts of the world. 



The personal character of this excellent man, distinguished as he 

 was by many virtues, and beloved for his winning and gracious ways, 

 deserves for its rehearsal more space than could be fitly occupied here. 

 He was short in stature, and distinguished in bodily presence by one 

 characteristic which has marked him during the last few years as he 

 walked the streets, as he attended the meetings of the learned, the 

 humane, or the religious fellowships in which his mind and heart were 

 so engaged, or silently shared the platform or the pulpit close beside 

 the speakers. An infirmity of hearing visited upon him a severe dep- 

 rivation of what he craved so much. He carried with him a large 

 ear-trumpet which he set upon its office when a friend approached to 

 speak with him, or when he put a question which required an answer. 

 The exquisite urbanity and courtesy of his manner, his venerable 

 looks, and his grateful appreciation of the effort made to commu- 

 nicate with him, removed all the irksomeness and constraint from that 

 fettered mode of intercourse. He seemed to be the last survivor of 

 the old school of Christian gentlemen among us, — modest, deliberate, 

 and refined in his bearing ; considerate and measured in his speech, 

 and carrying with him everywhere an atmosphere of grace and gentle- 

 ness. He was a profoundly religious man. His relations and inter- 

 course with eminent and worthy as well as with humble and untaught 

 members of the different religious fellowships, and the wide compass 

 of his studies, gave him a most comprehensive friendliness, and a lai'ge 

 liberality. He exhibited constant fidelity to his own convictions, with 

 a strong allegiance in love with those who coincided in them, and a 

 most respectful recognition of views from which he differed, and of 

 those who held them. 



Colonel Samuel Swett, who died in Boston on the 28th of Octo- 

 ber last, had reached the age of eighty-four years. He was born at 

 Newburyport June 9, 1782; was prepared for college at the Grammar 

 School of his native town by his father. Dr. John Barnard Swett ; and 

 received his degree of Bachelor of Arts at Harvard, with the class of 

 1800. Having studied law, first with Judge Jeremiah Smith of New 

 Hampshire, and afterwards with Judges Jackson and Livermoi'e of 

 Massachusetts, he commenced the practice of his profession at Salem in 



