USA > South Carolina > Charleston County > Charleston > The newspaper press of Charleston, S.C.; a chronological and biographical history, embracing a period of one hundred and forty years > Part 6
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Mr. NORRIS was connected with the Mercury as its book-keeper, and subsequently filled several offices within the gift of the City Council. He died 18th October, 1854- the anniversary of his birth day, 62 years of age. His co-partner, Mr. GITSINGER, was known for several years as the able and devoted foreman of the Courier. The pro- prietors of this paper reluctantly parted with him when he quitted their service to assume the duties of Inspector of Streets, an appoinment bestowed upon him by Council.
By some misadventure, on the 7th August, 1855, while on the fourth floor of the Job Printing establishment of Messrs. JAMES, WILLIAMS & GITSINGER, 3 Broad Street, the last named of this firm, while arranging for the removal of some material, lost his balance, and fell through a trap door to the lower floor, a distance of some fifty-four feet. From this accident Mr. GITSINGER never fully recovered. He died 12th February, 1858.
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JAMES WRIGHT SIMMONS, at one time editor of the Pal- metto Battery, was born in Charleston. His name is en- rolled in the imperishable records of literary fame. Early in life (about 1817) he published " The Exiles Return." His "Memnon" followed. After his repeated contributions to the daily journals and magazines, Mr. SIMMONS went North, and was for some time with MORRIS & WILLIS, of the New York Mirror; after that, with Colonel WATSON WEBB, of the New-York Courier and Enquirer ; was the correspondent from Florida of the New York Evening Star, and wrote the " Recollections of the Campaign in East Florida," which received the general meed of admira- tion for their graceful style, lively narrative of events, and elegant pictures of men and scenery. Mr. SIMMONS went to Galveston, Texas, in 1837 or '38, and was associated with Major WHITNEY, of the Banner. He was, after- wards, Comptroller General under Governor LAMAR; then Treasurer of the Republic of Texas. From the Boston press as late as 1852, he published "The Greek Girl," a tale in two cantos, and was, also, the author of an elaborate treatise on the " Moral Character of Lord BYRON." While contributing largely to the press in prose, he wrote many fugitive poems. This poet, essayist, dramatist, and re- viewer, died at Memphis, Tennessee, in his 68th year. One only of this ancient family is now living. The mother of Mr. SIMMONS was a Miss HAYNE, and one of the six ladies, near relatives of Colonel ISAAC HAYNE, who vainly peti- tioned Lord JOHN RAWDON, to save from execution, the life of that distinguished gentleman.
The Times and Political and Commercial Evening Ga- zette, another daily journal, was established by Messrs. Cox & SHEPPARD, on the 6th of October, 1800, and printed at No. 167 Tradd Street. As shortly after as the 17th No- vember, of the same year, its name was changed to the
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Times, City Gazette and Merchants Evening Advertiser. On the 16th March, 1801, another change took place in its title, and it became the property of THOMAS CAMPBELL Cox and his brother-in-law, WILLIAM P. YOUNG, the latter having a silent interest in the paper. The Times was printed at No. 1 Broad Street. Mr. Cox became sole pro- prietor of the paper early in 1812. He died in this City on the 18th October, 1814, and was buried in the grave yard of St. Philips' Church. Mr. THOMAS SHEPPARD Was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died in this City, April 10, 1809, in the 31st year of his age, leaving one son, our fellow citizen, THOMAS C. SHEPPARD.
Mr. YOUNG was a job printer and publisher, and for many consecutive years conducted The Palladium of Knowledge, or the Carolina and Georgia Almanac, which was issued from 44 Broad Street.
The idea of using " The Franklin Head" as a sign for a book store, was first adopted in this City by Mr. YOUNG. It has been, subsequent to his death, successively adopted and used by the late W. R. BABCOCK, at the corner of King and Wentworth Streets, and more recently by SAM- UEL FOGARTIE, successor to the late Mr. BABCOCK. It is now the sign which designates " Holmes' Book House."
The late THOMAS COX YOUNG, and the Revd. THOMAS JOHN YOUNG, who died October 11, 1852, lamented by the vestry and congregation of St. Michael's Church, were sons of the publisher and printer, WILLIAM P. YOUNG.
In January, 1816, Messrs. SKRINE & DUKE became the proprietors of The Times, and at the close of 1818, while under the proprietorship of Mr. J. C. DUKE, it failed. Mr. DUKE died in 1824, and T. G. SKRINE, the senior partner died in this City the same year. Mr. SKRINE was the father of Dr. T. C. SKRINE, who has also been identified with the newspaper press of Charleston. The former
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owners of The Times, Messrs. Cox & SHEPPARD, were suc- cessful as publishers.
The Investigator was a morning paper, published on Vendue Range, four doors from East Bay, by JOHN MAC- KEY and JOHN LYDE WILSON.
The first issue of The Investigator was on the 1st Au- gust, 1812 ; its motto being this quotation from DICKIN- SON : "Think of your ancestors and your posterity." The principles of the paper were thus defined :
" Independence shall be the leading character of the In- " vestigator, and with a due regard to decency and deco- "rum, the TRUTH, sacred TRUTH, however hard it may " bear upon public delinquents, shall always find a place "in its columns. Indeed, TRUTH, sacred TRUTH shall be " its Polar Star."
This paper was quite small, measuring only 20 by 26 in- ches. Its place of publication was, afterwards, changed to 226 East Bay. The firm was JOHN MACKEY & Co. Dr. JOHN MACKEY died December 14, 1831. A mural tablet on the South East corner of Trinity Church marks the spot where his remains were interred. Mr. MACKEY was the father of ALBERT G. MACKEY, the distinguished mason, and fluent and ready writer on Masonic Jurispru- dence. JOHN MACKEY, the senior proprietor of the Inves- tigator, became involved in a rencounter with the Hon. ROBERT J. TURNBULL, during the war of 1812, in Broad Street, directly in front of the building known as the property of the " Hebrew Orphan Society." Mr. TURN- BULL, bitter as an anti-war man, crossed from the South side of the street for the purpose of calling Mr. MACKEY to account for having impugned, in his paper, the position he (TURNBULL) had taken in- regard to the war. Mr. MACKEY, on receiving a blow from a cane in the hands of Mr. TURNBULL, clenched with his antagonist. Mr. MAC-
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KEY, being physically superior, soon overcame his opponent, and had him at his mercy ; and his fixed purpose, seem- ingly, was to take the life of his prostrate political foe. Mr. MACKEY had one knee pressed on Mr. TURNBULL'S chest, while with the right hand he firmly grasped his throat. The venerable and honored ALFRED HUGER, then four and twenty years of age, in all the vigor of his manhood, and whom chance placed in the way, went to the rescue of Mr. TURNBULL. The author has heard Mr. HUGER say, that when he approached the combatants, he found that Mr. TURNBULL was being strangled, and that he then resorted to the same method of throttling to save Mr. TURNBULL's life. While in the performance of this humane duty, he heard some one, from an upper window of the Court House exclaim : "D-n it, HUGER, let MAC- KEY kill him !"
On the 28th September, 1812, the size of the Investiga- tor was increased about one-third. A "Tory mob" as the editor termed it, attacked the office of this paper on the afternoon of Saturday, 3rd October, 1812. " Tertia" or " Great Primer" was the type used for the Investigator. This journal was, subsequently, sold by JOHN MACKEY to ISAAC HARBY, who, in 1817, changed its name to The Southern Patriot, and Commercial Advertiser.
JOHN LYDE WILSON, of the Investigator, was, in 1822, elected Governor of South Carolina. In 1842, he trans- lated in verse, and published in octavo form, the famous episode of "Cupid and Psyche," contained in the Mytho- logical tale from the " Golden Ass" of Apuleius, and was the author of " The Code of Honor," a pamphlet published from the press of THOMAS J. ECCLES, Charleston, in March, 1838. Mr. WILSON published, in New York, about 1827, the codification of the laws of this State. Governor WIL- SON, was regarded as an extraordinary man; he was born
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in Marlboro' County, South Carolina, May 24th, 1784, and was admitted to the bar at Columbia, in 1807. His speeches, political and legal, were always compiled with wonderful arrangement and care. This lawyer, editor and Governor, died in Charleston, February 12, 1849, and was buried with appropriate military honors in St. Paul's Church yard.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE SOUTHERN PATRIOT AND COMMERCIAL ADVERTISER- ISAAC HARBY-ROBERT HOWARD-JACOB N. CARDOZO- MARTIN E. MUNRO-THE CHARLESTON EVENING NEWS- JOHN CUNNINGHAM AND HIS COADJUTORS-THE SUN- EDWARD SILL-H. L. DARR-A. E. MILLER-JOHN C. HOFF-THE ROSE-BUD-MRS. CAROLINE GILMAN-THE RAMBLER-DR. JOHN B. IRVING.
MR. HARBY, after taking charge of the Southern Patriot and Commercial Advertiser, associated with him Colonel ROBERT HOWARD, father of our exemplary fellow citizens and cotton brokers, Messrs. S. L. HOWARD & BRO. Mr. HARBY withdrew from The Southern Patriot and Com- mercial Advertiser, on the 6th October, 1822, in favor of Colonel HOWARD, who changed its title to The Southern Patriot. Col. HOWARD was, for several years, debenture and abstract clerk of the Customs, and was the proprietor of a Reading Room, located in the second story of the building at the South West corner of Broad and East Bay Streets. This Reading Room was formally opened to the merchants on the 31st December, 1831. To Col. HOWARD does the credit belong of having commenced the publica- tion of the Prices Current or weekly resumé of the markets, in tabular form. He died while Naval Officer of the Cus- toms, February 20, 1850, in the 79th year of his age, and was buried in St. Philips' Church yard.
ISAAC HARBY was born in Charleston, November 9, 1788,
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He was the eldest son of SOLOMON HARBY, of Georgetown, South Carolina. Mr. HARBY was fond of controversy, and A had few, if any, superiors. He was a popular essayist, persuasive orator, and the writer of several dramas. Se- lections from his writings were made and published in single octavo, in the year 1829, edited by ABRAHAM MOISE, of this City. Failing in his efforts, in 1825, to establish a paper to be called The Examiner, Mr. HARBY left Charleston, in June, 1828, and became a resident of New York City. The scene of his anticipated success soon proved the grave of his intelligence. He died in New York on the 14th December, 1828, and just before he had reach- ed his 40th year. Col. HOWARD sold the Patriot to J. N. CARDOZO, on the 1st January, 1823. Mr. CARDOZO sold The Patriot to MARTIN E. MUNRO, in April, 1845, and on retiring from the editorial chair, he took leave of his patrons in a neat, feeling, and well written valedictory address. Mr. CHARLES K. BISHOP became the editor of the Patriot, under the management of Mr. MUNRO.
Mr. CARDOZO could not resist the exciting influences which journalism caused-so to speak, a necessity to his prolific and astute mind. No sooner had he parted with the Patriot, than he sent forward an order for new type and an outfit, with which he intended to establish The. Evening News. The first number of that thoughtful and well conducted sheet, appeared on the 1st October, 1845. His re-appearance as a journalist increased, rather than allayed the bitterness of feeling which existed between Mr. MUNRO and himself. It made them warm opponents in journalism. Both ignored the fact that from the edito- rial sanctum, diatribes should not emanate. Whatever differences of political opinion may have existed between them as public journalists, these could afford no valid rea- son for the employment of personally reproachful and dis-
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respectful terms, in their newspaper contests. Let oppos- ing editors differ-let positions be attacked and defend- ed-assumptions either maintained or refuted-all may be accomplished in that spirit of courtesy which should regulate the intercourse between men. It behooves every editor to bestir himself for his country, and his country's interests. It is equally incumbent upon him to perform the duty in a manner that will reflect no discredit upon his profession, and to keep up an amiable and creditable esprit de corps. This duty, no honorable supervisor of a public press should lose sight of. When a public journal is diverted from its proper mission, to that of private dis- putes and differences, its power becomes greatly weakened and perverted.
In an essay on " The Courtesies, Duties, and Delinquen- cies of Journalism," published in the Courier, in the spring of 1867, the author endeavored more fully to define the delinquency here alluded to.
The building at the corner of Broad and East Bay Streets, referred to in a preceding page, has, within the author's recollection, been occupied, first by R. L. BAKER, druggist ; by A. JORDAN, an extensive dealer in fruit, segars and willow ware; by AMOS HEAD, in 1844-5, as a book and literary depot; by Messrs. COURTENAY and WIENGES, who bought out Mr. HEAD, and were his succes- sors, and who occupied the site until it was demolished in the year 1853. In pulling down that structure to give place to the imposing brown stone edifice, now the proper- ty of Messrs. GEORGE A. TRENHOLM & SON, a portion of the wall fell, on the afternoon of the 13th July, 1853, instantly killing Mr. JOHN JOHNSON, mortally wounding Mr. JAMES MAHER, and slightly injuring other operatives.
From this locality, to Line Street, there was established, 21st October, 1833, a regular line of omnibusses, which re-
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turned from each extremity, alternate half hours. Pas- sengers were "taken up and set down." The fare was, 12} cents, or ten tickets for $1.
Let us revert, however, to our original subject, and turn over a few additional leaves of history, to catch in their rustlings, some voices of the past that may wisper tidings of interest, or awake the slumberings of memory. It was of Mr. CARDOZO we were speaking. The feeble form of this able, though most aged of Southern editors, is still to be seen, and until recently, almost daily in the neighborhood of his ancient, but now abdicated seat of authority. This gentleman, so well and favorably known, was born in Sa- vannah, Georgia, on the 17th day of June, 1786. He came to Charleston with his parents, when about eight years old. After serving a long apprenticeship at a mechanical em- ployment, he was engaged, for some years, as a clerk in a lumber yard. Subsequently, he took the position as acting editor of The Southern Patriot under Mr. ROBERT HOWARD. As an American journalist, he is a recognized authority in Banking, in Commercial Statistics generally, and in Politi- cal Economy. The several papers for which he wrote, and those which he conducted, at different periods for half a century, were all distinguished for the able handling of these important subjects. He is well known also as a fre- quent and discriminating critic of the drama. The vigor of his mind, even at the advanced age of 84 years, is testified in the fact of his being the successful competitor for the prize essay of the "Charleston Board of Trade," which received the commendation of that mercantile body at their last anniversary, April 6, 1870. Mr. CARDOZO has returned to his native City and State ; there, probably, to remain the balance of the few years yet vouch-safed to him on earth.
MARTIN E. MUNRO, proved indefatigable in his endeav-
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ors to sustain his paper, the Patriot ; but it did not exist longer than the close of 1848. It ceased then to hold its place among the papers of the day ; as also its auxiliary The Morning Transcript, leaving the field to The Evening News. Mr. MUNRO was always profuse in his acknowledg- ments of the services of both his foremen, BARNARD LEVY and A. DESPORTES.
Mr. CARDOZO sold The Evening News to Messrs. BUR- GES & JAMES, in the autumn of 1847. Mr. BISHOP dis- posed of the interest he had in the paper, and left Charles- ton shortly after, for the North, and became connected with The Newark Eagle; and was, for several years, editor and proprietor of that journal. Since then he has been connected with the New York Dispatch, Washing- ton Chronicle, and New York Weekly. The distinguished jurist, WILLIAM D. PORTER, was then called to the edito- rial department of the News. Early in 1848, WILLIAM Y. PAXTON, purchased an interest in the paper, and the firm was changed to BURGES, JAMES & PAXTON. Messrs. BURGES, JAMES & PAXTON sold the News to W. Y. PAX- TON and B. GARDEN PRINGLE, September 9th, 1848. From the formation of this co-partnership, Mr. PRINGLE, who, wielded a ready and easy pen, took upon himself the editorial responsibilities of the News, and under his auspices the reputation of that journal was ably sus- tained. Another change was made in this paper of so chequered an existence. In July, 1850, Mr. PRINGLE terminated his short editorial career, and B. F. PORTER, of Alabama, succeeded him as editor, and as a member of the firm of W. Y. PAXTON & Co. Judge PORTER was a graceful and discursive writer, familiar with literature and politics, as well as with law. The News for a while enjoyed the editorial labors of that most popular Southern poet and author, PAUL H. HAYNE. Mr. HAYNE, whose
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name has added so much to the literary reputation of the State, finally took active charge of the literary de- partment, whilst that of the general business devolved on Mr. PAXTON. W. Y. PAXTON, who had been connected with the paper about seven years, withdrew from it Sep- tember 29th, 1855, on account of ill health. Mr. PAXTON'S interest was taken by Col. JOHN CUNNINGHAM and STE- PHEN E. PELOT. The Evening News suspended early in the spring of 1861, Col. JOHN CUNNINGHAM, with his com- positors having gone to Vinegar Hill, Morris' Island, in defence of Charleston. The paper was resumed on the return of Col. CUNNINGHAM and the workmen, and it re- appeared May 1st, 1861. It died shortly afterwards under the proprietary title of JOHN CUNNINGHAM & Co .; the silent partners being JAMES B. O'REILLY, and FRANCIS J. GREEN. STEPHEN E. PELOT withdrew what interest he had, but a short time before the suspension of the paper. JAMES S. BURGES, of the firm of BURGES & JAMES, the second proprietors of the News, died in Aiken, South Car- olina, on the 21st February, 1850. Messrs. JAMES, PRIN- GLE and PELOT are now to be found in other spheres of life. Mr. PAXTON has removed to Sumter, S. C., and has become the business manager of The Sumter Watchman.
JOHN CUNNINGHAM, the spirited journalist, and once the enthusiastic politician, has bid adieu to both arenas, and is now known only in the quiet pursuits of domestic life, at his homestead, in one of the upper Counties of this State. It was with this paper that our fellow-citizen, A. C. McGILLIVRAY was for a time connected as reporter, besides having been for many years identified with various departments of the Patriot, Sun, Standard and Daily News.
The Sun, a morning paper, was established September 30, 1850, by Messrs. SILL & DARR. The subscription
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was, four dollars per annum, ten cents per week, and two cents per single copy. Dr. EDWARD SILL retired from the Telegraph, which he was publishing at Columbia, South Carolina, and came to Charleston from our Capital. The " right hand of fellowship" was cordially extended to both himself and his partner, by the press of the City. Mr. DARR is quite practical, and is known to the craft generally. He was business manager for the paper, and likewise its foreman. The mechanical appearance of The Sun was neat and tasteful, reflecting credit on the junior partner. During its short career, it was edited at different times by Dr. A. G. MACKEY, EDWARD SILL, jr., PAUL H. HAYNE, and finally by Dr. T. C. SKRINE, who remained its assistant editor until the paper was discontinued, which was on the 28th June, 1851.
Though Mr. CARDOZO stands at the head of the editorial record, there are not to be found among the disciples of FAUST, older representatives than ARCHIBALD EDWARD MILLER and JOHN CRAMER HOFF, now living in this City.
A. E. MILLER, was born in Shelburn, Nova Scotia, 13th April, 1785, and arrived in Charleston, in 1792. He was apprenticed to Messrs. HARRISON & BOWEN, before mentioned as publishers in this City, from 1794, until Oc- tober, 1804.
Mr. MILLER, after having served a portion of his appren- ticeship with HARRISON & BOWEN, continued it in the printing office of WILLIAM P. YOUNG, until October, 1804; then finished a service of eleven years with G. M. BOUNE- THEAU. Mr. MILLER took position as foreman of the Courier under MARCHANT, WILLINGTON & Co., succeeding a Mr. KENNARD, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and who had died on 12th September, 1807, of yellow or stran- gers' fever, in the 29th year of his age. Mr. KENNARD had endeared himself to his acquaintances by the suavity
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of his manners, and the correctness of his principles, and to his employers, by his industry. After having held the position of foreman of the Courier for nine years, Mr. MIL- LER established himself in the book and job printing busi- ness, on the 2d November, 1816, and became eminent as a publisher. Ever since that period, he has been the pro- prietor of Miller's Planters' and Merchant's Almanac. Among the earliest of the works published by this veteran printer, was WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS' second book of poems-" Early Lays." SAMUEL K. WILLIAMS, favorably known to the craft, HENRY S. GRIGGS, and JAMES W. Mc- MILLAN, (nephew of W. L. POOLE, once publisher of the Gazette,) are the only survivors of those who were, from time to time, apprenticed to Mr. MILLER.
JOHN C. HOFF was born in Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, March 7, 1795. After he came to Charles- ton, he was apprenticed in the year 1807 to his uncle, JOHN HOFF, a book-binder and printer. Early in the year 1818, Mr. HOFF worked as a journeyman compositor in the Courier office. He went to Savannah in the autumn of 1819, and worked in the same capacity with Messrs. T. S. FELL and ALEXANDER MCINTYRE, under the firm of T. S. FELL & Co. They were then the publishers of The Sa- vannah Republican, a journal, by one year, older than The Charleston Daily Courier.
In Savannah, Mr. HOFF remained until the close of 1821, when he was recalled to Charleston by his uncle, JOHN HOFF, and continued with him until his uncle's de- mise, which took place in Philadelphia, in 1826. PHILLIP HOFF then took charge of the business, and conducted it until he died. Mr. JOHN C. HOFF, succeeded Mr. PHILLIP HOFF, who was also his uncle, at the stand in Broad Street, next East of the Bank of Charleston, and, until 1858, carried on the book and job printing and stationery
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business, which was inaugurated by his senior uncle, JOHN HOFF, forty-five years before.
The Southern Rose-bud, B. B. HUSSEY & Co., publishers, was a semi-weekly paper. Mrs. CAROLINE GILMAN Was the originator of it. Mrs. GILMAN was born in Boston, and her maiden name was HOWARD. This talented lady, feel- ing the importance of giving to the youthful mind a right di- rection, formed the plan of issuing a journal for the young. This daughter of "Modern Athens," distinguished more particularly for her prose writings, carried a design so commendable, into effect, in September, 1833. The Rose- bud was known from that time, and it was the sprightliest of the ephemeral publications of Charleston. Well receiv- ed, its character was elevated to the standard of a highly influential literary newspaper. Its name was, in Septem- ber, 1835, changed to The Southern Rose. BURGES & JAMES were the publishers at that time. In this paper, Mrs. GILMAN, who was the editor and author of a work entitled " The Poetry of Traveling in the United States," published some of her best poetry, and most of her prose writings.
The Rambler and The Bouquet were also short lived papers, though the former was a very sun in the literary firmament. This fact causes it to be referred to particu- larly. The Rambler was devoted to Reviews, Essays, Tales and Poems. Messrs. MILLER & BROWN were the publishers. The Rambler died March 30, 1844. The elegant and easy writer, Dr. JOHN B. IRVING, toiled un- ceasingly while presiding over its finances, and over its editorial columns.
Dr. IRVING was born in Charleston, and was sent to England by his parents, in the early part of the present century, for the further benefit of his education. He has thus written of his early life :
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" My college life, which began at Cambridge, in 1808, " was full of incident. I have chapter after chapter, in " my diary of things in general, but of racing in particular. " During my college term, my proximity to New Market, " that great Metropolis of the Turf, was an irresistible " temptation to me to indulge my passion for the sport " that did most easily beguile me. I could not resist my "propensity that way. It seemed to grow with my growth, " and strengthen with my strength. I often, in my mo- "ments of youthful levity, used to laugh and say, if I only " devoted to my college studies the time I did to acquire a " thorough acquaintance with the "Stud Book," and a " familiarity with pending racing events, and their proba- " ble results, I could not fail to become a very accomplish- " ed scholar ; the pride and ornament of any University : " but this alas! was not to be. I was stable-minded, it is " true, but not stable enough. Like REUBEN, unstable as " water, I could not excel."
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