847 



Wm. H. Prescott. As I cannot be with you on this inter- 

 esting occasion, I wish, as far as I can, to compl}^ with the 

 request made to me, that I would communicate my reminis- 

 cencce of Mr. Prescott's early life, especially that portion of 

 it which was pased in Salem. But hardly feel able at this 

 moment to do it, and certainly cannot as I would. I shall 

 not attempt anything more than what may in some degree 

 serve to illustrate the circuiui^tances of his education and 

 the influences under which Ins character was formed or grew 

 up. When he was about cigiit years old I became acquainted 

 with his parents, and was kindly and hospitably welcomed 

 at their fireside. I have a distinct impression of William's 

 appearance at that time and till his preparation for college. 



He was a fine looking boy, bright and full of joyous spirits, 

 very promising in every point of view, and evidently a darling 

 in the family. Everything was done for him conducive to 

 his best improvement. His father, together with several 

 other gentlemen in Salem, engaged at a liigh salary the 

 ablest instructor they could obtain, to be devoted to their 

 sons. Jacob Newman Knapp, one of the most thorough 

 scholars of the distinguished class of 1802, in Harvard Col- 

 lege, was the instructor. H: was jiistly regarded as a supe- 

 rior teacher. William entered Mr. Knapp's school in his 

 seventh year, and continued under his care about six years. 

 " His favorite studies," says his now venerable instructor, 

 " were Latin, Greek, and History. Nothing delighted him 

 so much as to read of heroic actions. He was in all his 

 studies among the best students of the school. When his 

 parents removed from Salem to Boston, he was put under 

 the care of Dr. Gardner, Episcopal minister." 



But it was in the bosom of his own family that young 

 Prescott enjoyed advantages that most distinguished him 

 above all others in his youth. He had, in his parents, con- 

 stant teachers of the highest order. Eminent as was his 

 father in puljlic and professional life, he was still more re- 

 markable for his integrity and honor, his practical wisdom 

 and goodness, and his amiable and courteous disposition and 

 manners in the various relations of private and social life. I 

 was privileged to see him familiarly in his family, in a social 

 club, and in professional consultations, when he disclosed 

 his sentiments and opinions with confidential frankness, and 

 I can recollect nothing that ever occurred to diminish my 



