About Manuscripts Profiles Maps Map Gallery Credits

Life of Thomas Eddy

SW_WH1793_Page_318

All travellers agree, that in the ratio of their dis-tance from the white, in that ratio is the prevalence of the good qualities of the red men. All experience con-firms this remark; they acquire our vices withoutany of our virtues; and they melt away on our ap-proach, like snow at the mouth of a furnace. Mykind regards to your family. I am, your friend, DE WITT CLINTON.MR. THOMAS EDDY, New York. When Doctor Hosack contemplated writing the life of his friend, Thomas Eddy, he addressed a note toMr. Roscoe, requesting him to furnish any informa-tion he might have in regard to the philanthropic labours of the Howard of America—to which theDoctor received the subjoined reply. It was dictatedby the accomplished author of the LIVES of theMedici, and of the Sovereign Pontiff, Leo X., whenthe writer could no longer bear the fatigue of writinga single page with his own hand. It came from amind about to depart to a better world, but whichthen reflected the images of virtue, sentiment, andaffection, as purely as it did in the prime of his exist-ence. In the soul of Roscoe there was no sediment;the last rays of the lamp of life were redolent of tasteand poesy. There was no envy, no aversion, norepinings breathed from his lips, and his criticismshave the weight of truth and sincerity, which canonly flow from a pure and exalted spirit. Praisefrom such a man, under such circumstances, cannever be forgotten. I could not contract this letter.I had no right to do it. MY DEAR SIR, Some time previous to the receipt of the letterwith which you honoured me, dated the 29th April,1829, and accompanying the present of your valua-ble memoir of Governor Clinton, I had an attack ofparalysis, which had interfered with my usual occu-