Memoir of Rev. John Prince, LL. D. 203 



stances in reference to Mr. Prince's state of health, constitutional 

 infirmities, and the disease which finally terminated his life, have been 

 particularly mentioned, as illustrative of the power of philosophical 

 pursuits, and a perfectly regulated and equable state of the feelings 

 and temper to prolong life, even in opposition to the most unfavor- 

 able influences. 



The basis of Dr. Prince's philosophical attainments was laid in 

 the thirst for knowledge already alluded to. This trait was early 

 developed, and continued to be his most marked characteristic until 

 the very hand of death was upon him. It was exercised in almost 

 every possible direction, and as his memory was wonderfully capa- 

 cious and retentive, the result was that he accumulated and had at 

 command as large an amount of knowledge, as can easily be found 

 in the possession of any one mind. Without taking into the account 

 what he derived from books, and few men have ever read more, his 

 eyes and his ears were always open and his hands were always busy. 

 No idle moment ever passed over him. He noticed every occur- 

 rence, and explored every object within the reach of his curious ob- 

 servation. When a mere boy he was intent to learn all that was 

 going on in the great world around him ; and this appetite for know- 

 ledge enabled him to lay up a body of reminiscences, drawn from 

 his early youth and from every period of his life, which made him, 

 in his old age, a truly instructive companion. He was an attentive 

 and inquisitive spectator of the opening scenes of the revolutionary 

 drama in Boston, from the massacre through all the intermediate 

 events, including the destruction of the tea, to the battles of Lexing- 

 ton and Bunker Hill. He was equally well stored with facts in ref- 

 erence to men and things during all the subsequent period of his 

 life; and what he knew, he related, in a style of narrative, such as 

 those who enjoyed his acquaintance, can scarcely expect ever to 

 find equalled. 



In this connection it is necessary to remark, as it was indeed a 

 most distinguishing trait in the character of Dr. Prince, and one 

 worthy of imitation by all men, and especially by clergymen, that 

 vigorous, unremitted, and universal as was his thirst for knowledge, 

 it was invariably kept within the bounds of prudence, propriety, and 

 good feeling. Probably no man ever lived more free from the 

 charge of being a prier into other persons' affairs, or a tattler of their 

 failings. He did not appear to have a sense to discern the private 

 frailties or follies of men. His lips were never known to circulate 



