APPENDIX. 529' 



the same favor as now; but a large edition of the "Forsaken" was 

 even then disposed of, and it obtained from all quarters strong 

 commendation. 



In 1836 Mr. Smith wrote for Carey & Hart, of Philadelphia, a "Life 

 of David Crockett," and one of "Martin Van Buren," and also pub- 

 lished two volumes, entitled "The Actress of Padua, and other Tales," 

 which have been eminently successful. As a writer of short tales, he 

 was natural and unaffected in manner, correct in description, concise 

 in expression, and happy in the selection of incidents. He possessed, 

 moreover, a quiet humor, and an occasional sarcasm, which make his 

 productions both pleasant and pungent. 



Mr. Smith wrote much for the periodical literature of the day, both 

 political and literary, and his poetical pieces, if collected, would make 

 a large volume; but these appear to have been scattered abroad, without 

 any purpose of reclamation. His name is attached to a limited num- 

 ber, which are distinguished by a healthy tone of thought, neatness of 

 expression, and harmony of versification; but as, generally, they were 

 produced for some particular occasion, they have — most of them, at 

 least — passed into oblivion with the occasion that called them into 

 existence. 



Mr. R. P. Smith married Mrs. Elinor Matilda Lincoln, on the 5th 

 of May, 1823, the ceremony being performed in Christ Church, Phila- 

 delphia, by the Rev. Dr. Abercrombie. Five children were the off- 

 spring of this union, of whom I am the only survivor. My mother died 

 September 16, 1833, and we were alone — he made me his companion. 

 Well do I remember how proud I was of him ; he took me with him 

 wherever he went, and his associates and companions (child as I was) 

 became mine. James N. Barker, Robert M. Bird, Joseph C. Neal,. 

 Edwin Forrest, James Goodman, Edgar A. Poe, Louis A. Godey, Wil- 

 liam E. Burton, Robert T. Conrad, Joseph R. Chandler and Morton 

 McMichael were the literary magnates of Philadelphia, and of all that 

 intellectual coterie wr father's star was the brightest, his wit the gayest, 

 and his sarcasm the most cutting ; as a writer he was admired ; as a 

 dramatist, at that day the most successful in the country, and with 

 some fame as a poet, he was beloved as a companion and a gentleman. 



In 1836 my father again married, retired from active life and went 

 to reside upon the family-seat at the Falls of Schuylkill, near Phila- 

 delphia. Here he died, August 12, 1854. 



His social qualities made him a great favorite among his acquaint- 

 ances, and the remembrance of his brilliant conversation will long pre- 

 serve his name from oblivion. His papers I carefully collected, which, 

 with a full set of his printed works, have been deposited in the archives. 

 34 



