Several of her children, Mrs. Patten might have passed off among her wealthy relatives, who kindly offered to receive them, but her children were her greatest earthly solace, and there was still a superior motive that she could pay more attention to their religious instruction and conduct, than she could expect from others. From maternal affection she resolved to continue them under her own care, relying on divine aid for every needed favor. The education of her daughters was chiefly under the maternal roof, and at the native schools in their town, which were well supplied with excellent teachers in reading, writing, arithmetic, lessons in music, and now and then some ornamental works, which were profitable to assist in supporting the family, as no goods of these kinds were imported in war time. Mrs. Patten was blessed with a natural propriety of manners, aided by a good, superior education; having been one of a select number, under the tuition of the excellent sisters of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, President of Princeton College, N. J.; thus she was amply qualified to lead her children in the path of usefulness. She had a sense of the preciousness of time which ought not to be lost; therefore when they were at work, one was selected to read for the improvement of the others, in theology, history, geography, and other useful studies. She never approved of a large juvenile association-two or three select friends would do. By the importunity of a few neighbors, the eldest daughter began a small school in November, 1785, which continued until spring; but, when it was known that she had commenced keeping school, there was no need of advertising, for the room was well filled with children, though never applied for-nor were any refused for want of funds-but, whenever there was a prospect of usefulness, gratuitous instruction was granted-therefore the country was furnished with approved teachers from this Institution, though they never solicited a place for a teacher, but wherever there were any wanting, application would be made, which supplied, even as many as twelve in one season, sometimes less; during its fifty years continuance, the charity seat was never vacant-the occupants were not exposed, as being dependent for their education, for the depravity of the human heart is such, that had it been known, their associates in high life, would have looked upon them as their inferiors, whereas those in humble circumstances, generally excelled in scholarship, and propriety of behavior, those who were nurtured in the lap of luxury. A widow applied for four daughtersone term each, accordingly she entered the eldest-at the expiration of the term, she come to exchange, but found, as she had previously not been accustomed to study, (though she had a mind capable of improvement, but very slow,) she was advised to have her the second term, and at the end found her progressing very rap. idly, and concluded to have her the third term she returned well qualified for a teacher in the country, and therefore opened a school, and educated not only her sisters, but a number of others in the vicinity. Those ladies who have been favored with the perusal of the life of the celebrated Miss Hannah More, may remember that she was one of five daughters. The eldest was sent to a good school, and returned every week to impart to her sisters the studies she had pursued. Their father furnished them with a good library, and they were very intelligent and studious. A number of instances might be produced, but these are sufficient to show that an education can be obtained where disinterested benevolence is cultivated, not only in families, but in society at large. The time in Miss Patten's school was divided between study, painting, embroidery, and some needle-work. Each young lady had a handsome framed peice on their return home, to present to their parents; as embroider was considered an indispensable accomplishment in those days. Extracts were taken from whatever the young ladies studied, or read, including theological commentaries, geography, history, astronomy, and composition, but more especially letter-writing; a very useful branch of education, though greatly neglected in the female department. The near and most remote parts of the United States patronized Miss and Mr. Pattens' schools, with the addition of Bermuda, Jamaica, Trin idad, Barbadoes, Demarara, Switzerland, England, France, and Ireland. When the first school had continued twentytwo years, from 1785 to 1807, with good patronage, having educated nearly two thousand. At that time their brother, Mr. G. J. Patten, commenced a Literary Institution for both sexes in a separate building, where those who wished to perfect themselves in the higher branches of literature had the advantage of both schools by an alternate exchange. The lads enjoyed greater advantages than they previously had at academies in other States and countries. Numbers were fitted for colleges, counting-houses, and stores, subsequently some engaged in the sacred ministry, and others in the glorious missionary enterprise on foreign shores. Thus continued these two schools, until September, 1825, when the first ceased, after educating two thousand more. The literary school continued, chiefly, for lads, until 1829, when Mr. Patten was taken off by sickness, having finished the work, as we humbly trust, which his heavenly Father had given him to do. He departed with perfect composure February 17th, 1830, aged 56 years, leaving to his friends the sweet consolation that he was gone to the rest that remaineth for the people of God, through the merits of his glorious Redeemer. The number of his pupils 3,000. It ought to be acknowledged with gratitude to the Supreme Being, that a goodly number of pupils became hopefully pious during several re vivals of religion, under the ministry of the late excellent Dr. Strong, and gave evidence of their sincerity by their exemplary lives. Having formed a cent society for the benefit of the missionary cause, and paid the dividends by retrenchment from their weekly allowances for fruit, &c., which furnished a sufficient proof of their self-denial; for if children are permitted to draw on their parents for the payment of their subscriptions, their liberality cannot be ascribed to their own benevolence. The same rule for clothing-the poorer children must be supplied from their own ward-robes. "Happy are they who fear the Lord, As pity dwells within their breasts So God shall answer their requests Their works of piety and love, |