THE following notice appeared in the Boston Daily Advertiser a few days after the decease of Mr. Curtis. It is republished here because it contains a few details of his early life, which will be interesting to his children.

THE sudden termination of the active and useful life of JAMES FREEMAN CURTIS calls for something more than a brief notice.

The writer of these lines has known the subject of them long and intimately, and he thinks he can give an impartial sketch of his life and character.

Mr. Curtis was the son of a merchant of this city, a member of the house of Loring & Curtis, one of the oldest firms in this country, the survivor of whom, by his uprightness during a long life, has been crowned with success and honor.

The deceased was named for the late Reverend Dr. James Freeman, the bold yet candid and liberal parent of Unitarianism in this country, to whom he was nearly related. Mr. Curtis was educated at the Latin School in this city. At the beginning of the last war with England, in June, 1812, being between fourteen and fifteen years of age, he obtained his father's consent to enter the naval service of the United States, and made his first voyage as a Midshipman on board the frigate Chesapeake, which cruised many months under the command of Captain Samuel Evans. In June, 1813, the frigate sailed again from Boston, under a new commander, the brave but unfortunate Lawrence, and was captured the same day by the Shannon. Mr. Curtis, in that bloody battle, in which the Captain, first Lieutenant, Master, Boatswain, Marine Officer, and an acting Lieutenant, comprising almost all the deck officers, were killed or wounded, serv

ed as aid de camp to the commander. He was carried to Halifax, and was one of the officers selected in retaliation by the British, as hostages, for the lives of certain Englishmen imprisoned by our government. Mr. Curtis afterwards served as Midshipman in the Constitution when, under Commodore Stewart, she captured, in the same action, the frigate Cyane and the Levant. He was sent home by the Commodore, second in command of the Cyane, and arrived with the prize at New York. In 1815, after peace with England, Mr. Curtis joined the fleet sent under the gallant Decatur, to chastise the Algerines, then in power in the Mediterranean. His next service of importance was as first Lieutenant of the brig Porpoise, which was ordered to the West Indies to protect our commerce from the numerous pirates. Mr. Curtis personally destroyed, by leading his men in boats up a deep lagoon, at the imminent risk of his life, one of the most considerable establishments of these miscreants. After these duties had been performed, he obtained a furlough, and made several voyages to India and Europe in the merchant service, and when captain of a brig, it fell to his lot to rescue the lives of eight fellow beings, left in the midst of the Atlantic, their ship having foundered. While in command of a large vessel belonging to an eminent mercantile house in New York, with a crew principally of foreigners, Mr. Curtis, by prompt and vigorous action, quelled a dangerous mutiny, and drove the whole crew down into the forecastle, where he kept them confined, and, with his mates, his steward, and a lad, (one of his younger brothers,) navigated his vessel to her port of destination.

In 1824, at which time he was married, he resigned his commission in the navy.

In 1830, he was appointed agent of the Cocheco Manufacturing Company, at Dover, New Hampshire. On the

adoption of a new system of regulations in conducting the business of the Corporation, the operatives were so much dissatisfied and excited by the change introduced, that a large body of them marched about the town with drum and fife and banners, expressive of their hostility to him. By his firm, but gentle demeanor, he soothed their asperity, induced all whom he desired to have, to return to their duty, dismissed the ringleaders and malcontents, and from thenceforth possessed the confidence and respect of the entire population.

In 1835, he took charge of the Boston and Worcester railroad, with extensive powers and authority from the Directors. The judgment and fidelity with which he exercised those powers justified their bestowal. His whole time, all his talents, and finally his life were devoted to his duties there. His leading characteristics were strict truth and justice, tempered by mildness in the exercise of them.* He required from all under him the observance of their duties, but he did it in such a manner, and he exhibited to them such an example as endeared him to them, instead of offending them.† His manners were simple and unassuming, and he was as guileless as a child. He was a sincere believer of Christianity, and endeavored to practise the precepts of its Author, especially in "doing always unto others as he would that others should do unto him.' He never believed ill or spake ill of any one, and would never per

*This was manifested in small as well as great things. A little anecdote has been told us since his death, which illustrates his exactness. The friend of a poor invalid applied to Mr. Curtis for a gratuitous passage in the cars to Worcester. He refused to grant the request, but gave him the money to pay his fare with.

One of the conductors of the Railroad trains informed us, that, in all cases of difficulty or danger, Mr. Curtis's order was not "go," but "come."

mit it in his presence without rebuke. Envy and fear were alike unknown to him; and his temper was by nature so gentle, and was withal so governed, that in the highest excitement and provocation he preserved his coolness and moderation.

The duties of his station occupied a large share of his time, especially the first year or two when organizing the admirable system of transportation on the Boston and Worcester Railroad, by which so many passengers are safely carried, who little know the anxious hours devoted to ensure their security;-yet he found time every day or evening to instruct his children, seven of whom, under thirteen years of age, are made fatherless by this event. His remains were deposited in Mount Auburn. As we stood under the branches of an ancient oak, which seemed to spread its arms protectingly over his grave, observing the last, sad ceremony, those exquisite lines of Bryant, in his Thanatopsis, passed through our mind.

The youth in life's green Spring, and he who goes
In the full strength of years,· matron and maid, -
And the sweet babe, and the greyheaded man,
Shall one by one be gathered to thy side,

By those, who in their turn shall follow them.

So live, that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan, that moves

To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent Halls of Death,

Thou go not like the quarry-slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."

No one who looked on the placid countenance of our deceased friend, could doubt his happiness.