In this state of facts and opinions, the vote which a society so enlightened and celebrated as that of Boston has just passed will not be comprehended among us; and I cannot, I confess to you, prevent myself from fearing that it will be injurious to the high consideration which the Society enjoys on this side of the ocean, or that, at least, it will weaken its authority. I should strongly regret this, not only from my interest in an association to which I have the honor to belong, but also from my interest in humanity, whose cause it can so powerfully serve. Be pleased to receive, Sir, the assurance of my very distinguished consideration. ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE, _Member of the Institute and of the Chamber of Deputies_ TOCQUEVILLE, August 6, 1847. CHARLES SUMNER, Esq., Boston. THE LATE JOSEPH LEWIS STACKPOLE, ESQ. ARTICLE IN THE BOSTON DAILY ADVERTISER, JULY 23, 1847. The sudden death of Mr. Stackpole has filled a large circle of friends with poignant grief. His hale and vigorous health, of which a fresh and manly countenance and a joyous nature were pleasing tokens, seemed to give assurance that he would long be spared to them, while the many accomplishments by which his life was adorned, and the kindly qualities which grappled him to their hearts, created attachments now too rudely severed. He had stood aloof from public affairs, and from those concerns of business by which men become prominent before the world. The time thus withdrawn from customary pursuits was given to family and friends, and to the cultivation of those elegant tastes which add so much to the grace of society.