Those of my readers who knew the son will recognize much that captivated them in this description of the father: 

“In his social relations he was a genial and entertaining companion, unsurpassed in conversational powers, delighting in witty and sarcastic observations and epigrammatic sentences.  He was elegant in his manners and bland and refined in his deportment.  He was a skilful musician and passionately fond of children, and it was his wont in early life to gather them in groups about him and beguile them by the hour with the music of the flute or violin.  He was actually devoid of all ambition for power and place, and uniformly declined all offers of advancement to the highest judicial honors of the state.”

From the lips of Samuel Knox, of the St. Louis bar, we have this testimony as to the remarkable extent and versatility of Roswell M. Field’s talents: 

“Uniting great industry and acquirements with the most brilliant wit and genius, well and accurately informed on all subjects, both in science and art; endowed with a memory that retained whatever it received, with quick and clear perceptions, the choicest, most felicitous, and forcible language in which to clothe his thoughts, no one could doubt his meaning or withhold the tribute of wonder at his power.”

[Illustration:  CHARLES KELLOGG FIELD.]

To clinch the evidence as to the source from which Eugene Field derived pretty nearly everything that won for him such meed of fame as fell to his lot, let me quote from an interview with Melvin L. Gray, his guardian and foster-father, printed in the Helena Independent, September 6th, 1895, shortly before his idol’s death: 

“If I had never believed in the influence of heredity before, I would now, after having known Eugene Field and his father before him.  The father was a lawyer of wonderful ability, but he was particularly distinguished by his keen wit, his intense appreciation of the humorous side of life, and his fondness for rare first editions of literary works.  He was a profound student, and found much time to cultivate the fairer qualities that some lawyers neglect in the busy round of their profession.  Eugene is not a lawyer, but he has his father’s tastes, his father’s keen wit, and much of the same fineness of character and literary ability.”

“Another point of similarity is found in Eugene’s neglect of financial matters.  In his youth the father was equally negligent, although he did subsequently grow more thrifty, and when he died left the boys a little patrimony.  As executor I apportioned the money as directed.  Both the boys spent it freely while it lasted.”