Since  the  first  edition  of  the  Life  of  Mr.  Choate  was  pub-
lished, three  members  of  his  family,  each  of  whom  had  ren-
dered some  special  service  in  the  preparation  of  it,  have  passed
away.  First  of  these  was  Mrs.  Choate.  She  was  the  daugh-
ter of  the  Hon.  Mills  Olcott,  of  Hanover,  N.H.,  for  many
years  a  prominent  member  of  the  New  Hampshire  Bar,  a
gentleman  of  great  weight  of  character  and  influence,  distin-
guished for  intelligence,  sagacity,  and  wisdom  in  counsel,  and
early  taking  a  prominent  part  in  enterprises  tending  to  de-
velop the  resources  of  the  State.  He  was  remarkable  also  for
richness  of  humor,  for  urbanity  and  gentle  courtesy,  which
rendered  his  society  extremely  attractive.  His  acquaintance
with  persons  of  distinction,  both  in  and  out  of  the  State,  was
large,  and  his  house  was  the  seat  of  constant  and  genial  hos-
pitality.
The  native  gentleness  and  refinement  of  Mrs.  Choate's
mind,  encouraged  and  developed  under  the  influences  of  such
a  home,  were  carried  with  her  through  life.  Her  uniform
self-control,  serenity,  and  repose,  diffused  a  beautiful  quietness
and  peace  all  around  her,  and  served  sometimes  to  conceal,
except  from  those  who  knew  her  intimately,  the  quick  in-
sight and  sound  judgment  which  gave  weight  and  balance  to
her  mind.  Added  to  this  was  a  transparent  sincerity  and
singular  pureness  and  disinterestedness,  unaffected  by  change
of  scene  or  circumstance,  by  prosperity  or  sorrow,  which  won
the  confidence  and  respect  as  well  as  the  love  of  all  who  knew


4'"60  APPENDIX.
her.  Underlying  all,  was  her  religious  faith  and  hope,  eai-ly
assumed,  simple  and  undoubting  though  unobtrusive,  cover-
ing her  with'  a  singular  grace  and  beauty  of  character,  and
perpetually  shedding  its  happy  influence  over  her  household.
