HIS MARRIAGE: REMINISCENCES OF GOV. TRUMBULL. 233 



no common man. Dignity without formality, hung about 

 him like an every-clay robe, worn easily and naturally as 

 his common costume. His manners were those of a well- 

 bred, polished gentleman, combining in a high degree dig- 

 nity with a finished courtesy and affability. His benevo- 

 lence shed a charm over his intercourse ; it animated his 

 features, prompted and enlivened his conversation, and 

 shone like a living soul in his interviews with society. 

 The most humble people were so kindly received by him ; 

 and, without descending to undue familiarity, so well did 

 he adapt his conversation to their intelligence and circum- 

 stances that they left him with friendly and grateful feel- 

 ings. His versatility of manners fitted him equally for 

 the society of the most elevated and refined individuals, 

 and for that of the small farmers and mechanics around 

 his rural abode, who, not unfrequently, called to pass an 

 evening hour at his house. Still, this was the same man 

 who had been the associate and confidential friend of 

 Washington, his private secretary, and the intimate of his 

 marquee. 



His conversation was very attractive ; it was full of intel- 

 ligence, uniting perspicuity and vivacity, with occasional 

 sallies of humor. The existing portraits of him (the best 

 is at Ex-Governor Trumbull's, at Hartford,) convey no 

 adequate idea of the animation and expression of his 

 face, in which both the mind and the heart shone forth, 

 although correct in the form of the features and head. 



His voice was very remarkable. It was strong, clear, 

 and melodious, with a fine musical cadence and intona- 

 tion. His reading of the Scriptures in the family worship 

 was very impressive, being distinct, deliberate, and solemn. 

 Not a word was lost, and the hearer felt that he received 

 a more forcible impression of the meaning than ever before. 

 With his diction, the Prophet Isaiah appeared doubly ma- 

 jestic. His manners in his family were delightful. His 

 cheerfulness, his cordiality, his hopeful temperament, his 



