AMERICAN

QUARTERLY REGISTER.

VOL. XI.

NOVEMBER, 1838.

No. 2.

SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF JONATHAN P.. CUSHING, M. A.

PRESIDENT OF HAMPDEN SYDNEY COLLEGE.

[Prepared by George W. Dame, M. D., Lynchburgh, Va.]

WHEN a man from the humble walks of life is enabled to overcome the barriers which poverty and want of funds throw around him, and finally holds a situation of such extensive influence as the Presidency of an American College; the history, step by step, of his progress, is of great value. It is calculated to stimulate others, similarly situated, to bold and vigorous exertion, and places before them an example from which they may learn how to fill important situations in society, with honor and usefulness to their country.

The Life and Character of President Cushing, if delineated by a hand capable of doing justice to the subject, would afford just such an example as we should desire; that of a man overcoming the obstacles arising from an early neglected education, and, by a course of regular, persevering diligence and virtue, attaining to a character and influence in society, far beyond the promise of his early youth.

JONATHAN P. CUSHING, President of Hampden Sydney College, was born in Rochester, New Hampshire, March 12th, 1793. His father, Peter Cushing, was a respectable merchant in moderate circumstances, who, although too much engaged in business to devote much of his time to the care of his children, sincerely desired that they should receive such an education as would make them useful members of society. Upon the mother, therefore, Hannah Cushing, devolved the delightful duty of implanting those seeds in the mind of Jonathan, which should in after years, bud and blossom into usefulness; and she was fully prepared for this duty. Reared in a Christian family, and herself a Christian, she earnestly desired that the seeds of truth and righteousness should be implanted at that early age, at which alone, she rightly believed, the impression would most probably be permanent. And although about the time that Jonathan reached his seventh year, she was removed from him "for a season," she contributed in no small degree to the formation of that full and upright character, to which he afterwards attained.

In 1804, when Jonathan was in his eleventh year, the death of his father placed him under the care of a guardian, who, it seems, was unfaithful to the pecuniary, and also neglectful of the moral and intellectual interests of his ward. This gentleman removed Jonathan to his farm in 15

VOL. XI.

New Durham, where, for about twelve months, he was constantly employed in the drudgery of the farming and milling business. Believing that his guardian acted improperly towards him in not sending him to school, Jonathan refused to engage any longer in that business, and therefore spent the next year in visiting the various mechanic shops in his vicinity, and learning in detail the minutiae of the different trades. In 1806, as his guardian manifested no interest in his improvement, he bound himself, as an apprentice to the saddler's trade, with Mr. Odiorne, an uncle of his residing in Rochester. This change in his condition, although apparently but a slight improvement, was of great advantage, in giving him constant employment, and enabling him to reflect upon his situation, and the best means of improving it.

There was nothing in Jonathan's childhood to distinguish him from the thousands that are born, live, and die, without ever rising above that station in society, in which their birth may have placed them. There was no uncommon thirst for knowledge; he was not fond of reading, but much given to meditation; he was very ingenious, and fond of making models of instruments which he had seen; he was an affectionate and dutiful child, and while at the saddler's trade, his conduct commanded the confidence of his superiors, and the affection of his equals. He perhaps exhibited more firmness of moral principle, than is usual for a boy in his situation, by avoiding those gross immoralities and vices, to which neglected youth are so much exposed. He retained a strong recollection of the counsel and advice of his mother; and desiring to walk thereby, he spent much of his leisure time alone, avoiding the society of his fellow-apprentices, and seldom joined in their sports. While serving his apprenticeship, Jonathan received the "six months' schooling" to which, by the laws of New Hampshire, he was entitled, in the town school of Rochester. This, although little, was sufficient, in connection with what he received during the life of his father, to awaken his curiosity, and excite an ardent desire to drink deep from the fountains of knowledge. He now began to look forward to a literary occupation, as a profession for life. The small stock of knowledge which he then possessed, he knew must be greatly augmented, but the means by which that object could be effected were not as evident; his guardian would render no assistance, and there was no one of whom he was willing to ask it. This was evidently a subject of constant meditation, and rendered him unusually thoughtful and reserved. Unable, however, to see his way clearly, but determined to effect his object, one day whilst engaged at his work, he suddenly rose from his bench and observed to his companion, "I am determined to have a college education if it costs me forty years of my life to obtain it." From that time his resolution never forsook him; although the way was dark before him, his energy and perseverance were equal to the difficulties to be surmounted. By extra work he purchased the remaining portion of his time, and went immediately to Phillips Exeter Academy, at that time the best and most flourishing academy in New Hampshire. Mr. Cushing entered the academy in September, 1811, at the age of eighteen, and remained there eighteen months; when, from ill health and the want of relaxation, he retired to his native village and taught school for about the same length of time. He then returned to the academy and completed the regular course of studies. He supported himself, and paid the greater part, if not all, of the expenses of his education by the profits of his trade, at which he worked a portion of every day during the time he stayed at Exeter. Mr. Cushing was more distinguished at the academy as a popular commander of a military company than