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Sparks, William Henry, 1800-1882

"The Memories of Fifty Years Containing Brief Biographical Notices of Distinguished Americans, and Anecdotes of Remarkable Men; Interspersed with Scenes and Incidents Occurring during a Long Life of Observation Chiefly Spent i"


Nesbitt justified in his subsequent life all that his friends and the
public hoped from him. In every relation of life he has done his duty
ably, honestly, and purely. As a member of the Legislature, of
Congress, as a judge of the Supreme Court, as a worthy member of the
Presbyterian Church, and, above all, as a father, husband, and
citizen, he has been good, wise, and faithful. Is not his measure
full? Who deserves it more? We were sad to-day. One said, "King is
dead." "Yes," answered the other, and we were silent. Memory was busy.
We could not talk. In his office, where yet he wears the harness of
the law, surrounded by musty, well-thumbed books, and piles of papers
with hard judicial faces, we sat and mused. Perhaps we thought of the
past, when those to whom eternity is a reality were with us and
joyous. At such times the mind turns quickly back to youth's joys, nor
lingers along the vista of intervening time. All of that day will
revive, but these memories sadden the heart, and we are fain to think,
but not to talk. Perhaps we wondered what were the realizations of the
dead.


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