History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

602 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1819.
"He is the delight of all his acquaintance, for the urbanity of his
manners, and for his easy, condescending affability to people of every
rank."' Repossessed from his youth "an unassuming modesty and
courtesy of manners," * which were, however, "marked rather by the
simplicity of one bred in the country than by the polish of a man who
had mixed much with the world." -
Private Character. TliG iiioral purity of Caleb Stroiig's character
was such that there was never the
slightest suspicion of slander attached to his name through
all his public career. He had an unusual degree of common
sense and ability to distinguish between right and
wrong. These qualities, together with a sound judgment,
made him a valuable advisor for his friends, and procured
for him the confidence and esteem of everyone who came
in contact with him.
"His temperance in word, thought, and action, combined with high
character and great amiability, was the secret of his personal popularity,
which enabled him to retain high ofiBce at periods when, it may
be safely said, not one of his party friends could have commanded an
election," => According to Dr. Lyman, "few have rivalled him in literary
attainments ;
fewer still have reached his eminence in a thorough
acquaintance with practical wisdom."
At an early age he was honored by Harvard College with
the degree of Doctor of Laws. The following anecdote,
related in the Life of Samuel Adams,* illustrates his fine
courtesy : At the time of his first inauguration in 1800,
the procession passed by the house of the venerable Samuel
Adams, who was standing at his doorway. Gov. Strong
immediately stopped the procession, alighted from his carriage
and advanced with uncovered head to shake hands
with the aged Patriot of the Revolution. The fact that
Adams' political views were at that time directly opposed
to those of Gov. Strong made this act particularly im-
pressive.
Mr. Strong's long intercourse with prominent men and
his tenacious memory placed at his command a store of information
and anecdote, which, added to his natural good
spirits and kindly wit, made him a most delightful and
entertaining man.
1 Funeral Sermon.
2 Studies in History, p. 357.
3 Studies in History, pp. 260-2G1.
4 Life of Samuel Adams, vol. 3, p. 369.