318 ANDREW JACKSON HOWE. 



Besides, tradition could be trusted to herald his dis- 

 tinguished ability. A contemporary thus descants 

 upon the qualities of the great savant : " His fine 

 commanding features, and the grand expression of his 

 whole head, united to one of the clearest and most 

 melodious voices that ever issued from the mouth of an 

 orator, riveted the attention of all within sight or 

 hearing ; he was extremely fluent, and so rapid and 

 unembarrassed, that while speaking he would often 

 turn to the large blackboard which hung behind him, 

 and with a chalk crayon, illustrate his statement by 

 the most forcible sketch, and without the slightest 

 pause or interruption. In entering and departing 

 from his lecture rooms, the audience pressed so closely 

 upon him, and exhibited such demonstrations of 

 pleasure, that he could scarcely make his way through 

 the throng." Educated men in all parts of the world 

 felt a pang of sorrow when they heard of his death. 

 A master intellect had been stilled at a comparatively 

 early age. 



