solution. "The inhabitants of that town," says the biographer, "could never love a man, who had no complacency in his disposition, nor urbanity in his manners; a man who emerged from low life to a high station, and despised those, who formerly knew him, even those from whom he received favours." Why here is enough to tarnish the memory of any man. But really the Doctor has gone too far. If there was any thing in Mr. Pratt's disposition or demeanour that bore the semblance of such faults as are here intimated, we are persuaded it was but semblance, or at least they did not exist in such a degree as to be given for his character; or deserve to stand out upon the piece, as they do in this sketch. There is evidence that Mr. Pratt's domestick character was amiable. A person resident in his family for many years has always represented him in this light, and private documents remain, which confirm the impression. By those of his profession who knew him, particularly two gentlemen of distinguished name now alive, he has been mentioned indeed as somewhat high and quick in his feelings; but not deficient in urbanity; and in conversation and manners attractive and pleasing. The harsh animadversions we have cited were no doubt made by individuals, and by the biographer imagined true. We can believe that chief justice P. might have shown more solicitude to have his elevation forgiven by those who remembered him as once on their own level; and to be thought sensible of their favours received in his day of small things. But we also believe and know, that no man, however circumspect, can ever run his career, and not be unreasonably charged with self-consequence and ingratitude. The pride of the low will always dictate suspicions of the pride of the eminent, and benefits conferred by the narrow minded are a bargain for endless attentions and acknowledgements. "What talents Judge Pratt possessed as a fine writer we cannot learn from any publication with his name. The verses found in his study, and published in the Royal American Magazine for April, 1774, discover a strong vigour of fancy. If these were his own compositions, he ought to have exercised a fine genius for poetry !" These expressions convey a doubt, which we presume no one entertains. Our author was led to them partly by the title in the Magazine; "Verses found among the manuscripts of the late Hon. Benjamin Pratt, Esq. chief justice of the province of New York, supposed to be written by himself." The idea that no other poetical production ascribed to the same author has ever appeared, might seem to justify hesitation. We have been told of others, believed to be his, in print; one on castle building, another, lines on leaving college. As Mr. P's powers in poetry were celebrated in his life time as the strongest marks of his mind; as the evidence of his manuscripts has not been contradicted by any discovery or circumstance since the publication of these verses, they are clearly due to him. They were printed in the Anthology, June, 1807. We give one extract, the description of the soul hovering over the body in the hour of death, which has been justly said to contain as much vigour of thought, analogy and vividness of figure, and firmness of line, as any verses in the language. "As o'er a fen, when heaven's involved in night, Mr. Pratt was appointed chief justice of New York in 1761. He died January 5, 1763, aged 54 years.-Amer. Biog. Dict. HUTCHINSON (Thomas) governour of Massachusetts bay. The description of this personage is graphical and entertaining. His character is presented in a light as favourable as we can be supposed to permit. Neither his faults nor his foibles are indeed omitted, but his virtues are also displayed. But what virtues will derive any recommendation from being practised by a man, with whom we the people have been used to associate nothing but depravity? Ought we not however at least to say he was as good a man as ambition would suffer him to be? We wish his temperance, his industry, his exactness in the duties of office, and exemplary observance of religious institutions, may be imitated by whig and tory. Dr. Eliot does not mention his religion; because perhaps it seems only a mode of ambition. But did he practise no acts of piety and virtue, but those which lay along in the same line with the objects of this master passion? After he went to England, where the reputation of piety was not necessary to serve any interested purposes, he did not discontinue his religious observances, nor appear ashamed of the puritan principles of his ancestors. In regard to his ambition, we are assured, that notwithstanding his supposed greediness of office, he declined being governour when it was first proposed to him. His change of his political principles and party is dwelt on as the dark part of his character. We conclude he had no right to the mode of justification, commonly claimed and used by politicians,' who leave and denounce their old associates, when they allege that not they, but their friends have changed; or at worst, that they only yield to new circumstances. Considering that governour Hutchinson was the only man of the day who saw the good effect of the "abolition of old tenour," and "introduction of a fixed currency," we think he had a right to ceive himself the prince of politicians." (See p. 273.) We have been informed that he left finished a continuation of his history to his own time. If published, it would be read. We present a short extract as a specimen. con "Mr. H. received the rudiments of his education at the north grammar school, and was admitted into Harvard College when he was only twelve years of age. His progress in literature was the subject of notice and applause. In 1727 he was graduated; but instead of following his studies and entering one of the professions; as was expected, he applied himself to merchandise. It seemed to be the most ardent desire of his soul to acquire property. Ambition and avarice frequently agitate the same breast; and he might attach an importance of character to wealth, which would enable him to gain any distinction he wanted as he advanced in life. He did not succeed in his commercial pursuits, but rather diminished than augmented his patrimony. His fellow townsmen regarded him more for his probity and honour than for his mercantile skill; they thought him capable of transacting publick business, and by their favour he was stimulated to bend his mind wholly to the study of history and political constitutions. He was chosen a selectman of Bos. ton in 1738, and conducted with so much prudence and fidelity, that he was appointed by the town their agent to manage very important business in Great Britain, which he undertook and settled to their satisfaction. When he returned from London, he was chosen one of the representatives of Boston for the general court, and was annually elected to the same office, till he was advanced to the council board. In the house of representatives he acquired great reputation. He had the charms of oratory beyond any man in the assembly. There was equal fluency and pathos in his manner; he could be argumentative and smooth. He was active, diligent, plausible, and upon all occasions seemed to be influenced by publick spirit more than selfish considerations. Some who admired him for his good qualities were afterwards of a different opinion, and wondered how he could conceal his views under the veil of hypocrisy, or with the mask of dissimulation. In 1747 he was chosen speaker of 42 VOL. VIII. the house; but had the same influence among the members as when he led in their debates." ADAMS SAMUEL, governour of Massachusetts. This life is a favourable specimen of the author's manner. Mr. Adams appears in all the leading features of his character. How it happened, that in 1787 the patriot Samuel Adams became the accuser of his old and long tried political friends, and the associate of their opposers, at the expense too of one of his profound personal antipathies, is a problem to be solved by those who wish to understand the character of a democracy and its leaders. The biographer intimates, that the preference of General Lincoln to him for lieutenant governour convinced Mr. A. that he had been on the wrong side. It is in place to produce what we believe a correct miniature likeness of this gentleman, hit off in one sentence by one who knew and regarded him. "He was, in his best days, a good speaker and writer, a man of indefatigable perseverance, of a rare talent for making or dividing a party; a man, who, if he had his will, would have the whole world governed by the United States, the United States governed by Massachusetts, Massachusetts governed by Boston, and Boston governed by himself, and then the whole would not be intentionally ill-governed." Of Governour HANCOCK our author observes"When the President of the United States visited Boston" [in the autumn of 1789, the first year of the federal government] "there was some obliquity or peculiarity in his behaviour, which renewed the old prejudices against him. It was thought he failed in certain attentions to that illustrious character, and he was in some danger of losing his popularity; for all classes of people looked upon Washington as the first of men." Further he says not. The account of this affair will interest those who are interested in Washington. It is well known that when Washington, "with a mind oppressed with more painful sensations than he had words to express," accepted the presidency, and undertook the more difficult task of guiding in peace the nation which he had saved in war, he thought it a proper expression of his respect to the nation, to take the tour of the country. Wherever he came, he was received with every mark of honour and regard that a grateful and confiding people could bestow. Mr. Hancock was willing to show him at tention, in any way which allowed the governour to take precedence of the president. The state, though confederate, was sovereign, and who greater here than its chief magistrate? So it was settled in his mind, that etiquette required his excellency to be waited on first in his own house by the president, and not make the advance to his illustrious visitor. The president, as appeared in the result, had different ideas. On General Washington's approach to Boston, at some miles distance, he was met by the governour's suite, and an invitation to dinner, but no governour. He means to present himself, thought General Washington, at the suburbs. But on arriving at the neck, he still missed the chief magistrate. He passed the long procession, and reached the entrance of the state house -but no governour. He stopped, and demanded of the secretary, if his excellency was above, because if he were, he should not ascend the stairs. Upon being assured he was not, he ascended, saw the procession pass, and then went to his lodgings. A message came from the governour's that dinner was waiting; the president answered by declining the invitation, and dined at home. Loud expressions of resentment were heard from all quarters at this slight offered the first of men, whom the town had received on their part with every possible celebration. They had not added an entertainment to their plan, because this was claimed by the governour. In the evening, two of the council came to the president with explanations and apologies in behalf of the chief magistrate; "he was not well," &c. "Gentlemen," said General Washington, "I am a frank man, and will be frank on this occasion. For myself, you will believe me, I do not regard ceremony; but there is an etiquette due to my office, which I am not at liberty to wave. My claim to the attention that has been omitted rests upon the question, whether the whole is greater than a part. I am told," said he, "that the course taken has been designed, and that the subject was considered in council." This was denied. One gentleman said, however, "it was observed that the president of the United States was one personage, and the ambassadour of the French republick another personage." "Why that remark, sir, if the subject was not before the council?" He added, "This circumstance has been so disagreeable and mortifying, that I must say, notwithstanding all the marks of respect and affection received from the inhabitants of Boston, had I anticipated it, I would have avoided the place." The next day the governour called |