with
prudence, skill and judgment, and the firm, of which he is head, enjoys
a high credit, both at home and abroad.

"He is a gentleman, too, of great suavity of manner, and exhibits
a kind spirit in all his intercourse with men (a good quality for the
post he is called to) and withal is a man of great firmness of purpose,
not stubborn, of indomitable industry, perseverance and energy, and
even in moneyed panics (the worst of all panics) would probably be as
calm as a summer morning, while at the same time he would act, and act,
too, efficiently, looking to the interest and safety of the corporation
of which he is the head, and to the interests of the mercantile and
trading community, at the same time.

"The private character of the new President is beyond reproach,
he is a gentleman of unwavering integrity, and possesses the confidence
of his fellow-citizens in an eminent degree. To use the western
phrase, he is 'very popular,' but we don't esteem this of much account.
It is an idle wind, and may blow south or north to-morrow and proves
nothing.

"The new President, however, has not only a good character but a
good reputation, and whether he will mar or advance the latter during
his presidency, time only can determine."

"Reputation" based upon such a characters as his, could not be
marred. But, ah! it was as President of this Bank, he was brought into
contact with the wretched being who has robbed the world of a
benefactor, and where can I find a word in which to embody an idea of
the loss of those he so dearly loved.

He served two years in the State Bank, at which time the term
expired, and he determined to be no longer tied down to St. Louis, more
than was necessary to attend to his own business. But in the formation
of the "Mechanics' Bank" the Board of Directors insisted upon have Mr.
Charless for their President. He refused positively, but they still
insisted; and, at length, urgently requested that he would accept the
presidency of this new institution until fairly established, if for no
longer time. He finally acceded to the latter proposition. But after
once getting in, there was no getting out of it; for he found the
gentlemen with whom he was there associated so very congenial, and his
duties not onerous but pleasant, so that he continued to serve them
until the day of his death, having signed the last notes on the 1st of
June.

It only remains for me to say, my dear children, that after the