Mr. Thompson is a gentleman of wide culture and extensive reading and information. Not only with the public but with his professional brethren he is very popular on account of his amiable character. Naturally he is of a quiet and benevolent disposition, and has the good word of everyone to whom he is known. As one of a stock company he never disappointed the manager--as a manager he never disappointed the public. In private life he has been very happy in his marital relations, having married Miss Maria Bolton in July, 1860. Three children--two daughters and one son, have blessed their union. A book could well be written on the adventures and incidents that have attended the presentation of the great play since its inception. Nowhere is it more popular than in the neighborhood of Mr. Thompsons's summer home. When a performance is had in Keene the good people of Swanzey demand a special matinee for their benefit, from which the citizens of Keene are supposed to be excluded. In Colorado a Methodist camp-meeting was adjourned and its members attended the play _en masse_. Such is the charm of the play that it never loses its attraction. Mr. Thompson is in the prime of life, about fifty years old. His home is in New Hampshire; his birthplace was in Pennsylvania. He made his _debut_ in Massachusetts, and received his professional training in Canada; he is a citizen of the United States, and is always honored where genius is recognized. Like the favorite character, Joshua Whitcomb, in his favorite play, Mr. Thompson is personally sensitive, kind-hearted, self-sacrificing; he never speaks ill of any one, delights in doing good, and enjoys hearing and telling a good story; he is quiet, yet full of fun; generous to a fault. His company has become much attached to him. In the village of Swansey is Mr. Thompson's summer home; a beautiful mansion, surrounded by grounds where art and nature combine to please. The hospitality of the house is proverbial, but its chief attraction is its well-stocked library. * * * * * NATIONAL BANKS. THE SURPLUS FUND AND NET PROFITS. By George H. Wood. In the elimination of an unusually large amount of dead assets under the requirements of the National Bank law, previous to extension of the corporate existence of a bank, the very interesting question is brought to notice, of what is the proper construction of the law in regard to reducing and restoring the surplus fund.