Parliament, and which a ministerial order required. That step was popular with the people; and the following year he was chosen governor by a very large majority. His influence became almost unbounded throughout New England; and while the Adams's and Hancock were legislating in the Continental Congress, Governor Trumbull was recognized as the great leader in the East. He was an active, self-sacrificing, and reliable man throughout the whole contest; and he had the proud distinction of being the only colonial governor who, at the commencement of the revolution, espoused the republican cause. For fourteen consecutive years he was elected to the chief magistracy of his native State; but when peace returned, and all danger seemed over, he left the helm forever. He declined a reelection; and at the age of seventy-three years, he retired from public life. In August, 1785, he was seized with a malignant fever, which destroyed his life on the 17th of that month. His son and grandson both filled his chair of office, the latter having been governor in 1849.

The Marquis de Chastellux, who came to America with Rochambeau in 1780, thus speaks of the personal appearance of Governor Trumbull: "Ile is seventy years old; his whole life is consecrated to business, which he passionately loves, whether important or not; or rather, with respect to him, there is none of the latter description. He has all the simplicity in his dress, all the importance, and even pedantry, becoming the great magistrate of a small republic. He brought to my mind the burgomasters of Holland in the time of the Heinsius's and Barnevelts." He was greatly beloved by Washington; and no name on the pages of our history appears brighter, as a pure patriot and honest man, than that of Jonathan Trumbull.

JOHN WINTHROP.

ONE of the most accomplished scholars of the last century, was John Winthrop,

professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Harvard University. He was born in Boston, in 1715, and was graduated at Harvard when only seventeen years of age. His studies took a wide range, and included theology and medicine, with the natural sciences. When he was appointed Hollis Professor in the university, he was considered the most learned man in America; and his teaching and example gave a powerful impetus to the study of the exact sciences in this country. As early as 1740, he made observations on the transit of Mercury, and published them in the Transactions of the Royal Society of London.

In June, 1761, he went to St. John's, Newfoundland, with his instruments and attendants, to observe the transit of Venus, that point being the most favorable, in America, for such observations. That passage of Venus across the disc of the sun had been looked forward to with great interest, for one hundred and twenty-two years had elapsed since a similar phenomenon had been observed.? Mr. Winthrop's observations were accurate, and of the greatest value. They gave his name and that of Harvard College a world-wide reputation. The Royal Society elected him a member of that body; and the University at Edinburgh conferred upon him the degree of LL.D., or Doctor of Laws. He also observed the transit of Venus, in 1769,3 and the papers which he published on that subject

1. A professorship liberally endowed by John Hollis. He founded two professorships in that institution-divinity and mathematics. Mr. Winthrop was professor of mathematics.

2. It cannot be seen with the naked eye. The telescope was first used among moderns early in the 17th century, and the first transit of Venus observed with it, was on the 6th of December, 161. The next was on the 4th of December, 1639. Again, on the 5th of June, 1761, and the 3d of June, 1769. The next transit will take place on the 8th of December, 1874.

3. See sketch of David Rittenhouse.

procured his admission to membership in the most eminent scientific societies of the world.

In 1767, Dr. Winthrop published his Cogita de Cometis, a work of profound research, and of great value to the scientific world. At this time the dispute between the American colonies and Great Britain was assuming much importance, and Dr Winthrop engaged zealously in the cause of the colonists. Notwithstanding he labored intensely in the duties of his professorship, he engaged in all the exciting discussions of the day, and was ever found on the side of human freedom. During all the exciting scenes of the early days of the revolution, around Boston, he was a firm patriot, a wise counsellor, and efficient promoter of the good cause. He held his professorship until his death, which occurred on the 3d of May, 1779, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.

THE

JOHN BARTRAM.

THE men of science in Europe, a hundred years ago, were occasionally startled, as with a meteor flash, by scintillations of great minds in America; and it was a hard question for them to solve how genius could be fostered into vigorous life amid the cool shades of that wilderness. Yet here and there the evidences of such genius intruded upon their stately opinions, and they were compelled to offer the hand of fellowship to American brethren, equal in profundity of knowledge with themselves. Of this class was John Bartram, an eminent botanist, who was born near Darby, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1701. He found few helps to education in early life, but study and perseverance overcame a host of difficulties. He seldom sat down to a meal without a book, and he learned the classic languages with great facility. In the study of medicine and surgery he greatly delighted; and drawing his medicines chiefly from the vegetable kingdom, he practiced successfully among the poor of his neighborhood. His avocation was that of a farmer, and his favorite study was botany.

Mr. Bartram was the first American who conceived the plan of establishing a botanic garden for American plants and vegetables. He carried his plan into execution, by devoting about six acres, near Philadelphia, to the purpose. He traversed the country in every direction, from Canada on the north to Florida on the south, in search of new productions, and his garden was enriched and beautified by the results of his explorations. His philosophical knowledge attracted the attention of learned and scientific men, at home and abroad, and with these his intercourse became extensive. He sent many botanical collections to Europe, and their beauty, novelty, and admirable classification, won universal applause. Literary and scientific societies of London, Edinburgh, Stockholm, and other cities, placed his name among those of their honorary members; and finally, George the Third of England appointed him "American Botanist to his Majesty." He held that honorable position until his death, which occurred in September, 1777, when he was in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His zeal in scientific pursuits was unabated till the last. At the age of seventy years, he made a journey in East Florida, to examine and collect the natural productions of that region. His son, William, who accompanied his father in many of these excursions, published, in 1792, an interesting account of their travels through East Florida, the Cherokee country, &c. John Bartram lived and died an exemplary member of the Society of Friends.

Chathomson

CHARLES THOMSON.

F all the patriots of the Revolution, no man was better acquainted with the men and events of that struggle, than Charles Thomson, who was the permanent Secretary of the Continental Congress for more than fifteen years. He was born in Ireland in 1730, and at the age of eleven years was brought to America in company with three older brothers. Their father died from the effects of sea-sickness, when within sight of the capes of the Delaware. They landed at New Castle, in Delaware, and had no other capital with which to commence life in the New World, than strong and willing hands, and honest hearts. Charles was educated at New London, in Pennsylvania, by Dr. Allison, and became a teacher in the Friend's Academy, at New Castle. He went to Philadelphia, where he enjoyed the friendship of Dr. Franklin and other eminent men. In 1756, he was the secretary for the Delaware Indians, at a great council held with the white people, at Easton; and that tribe adopted him as a son, according to an ancient custom. With all the zeal of an ardent nature, Thomson espoused the republican cause; and when the first Continental Congress met, in Philadelphia, in September, 1774, he was called to the responsible duty of secretary to that body. At about that time, he married Hannah Harrison (the aunt of 1. Watson relates that Thomson had just come into Philadelphia, with is bride, and was alighting

President Harrison), whose brother, Benjamin, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Year after year, Mr. Thomson kept the records of the proceedings of Congress, until the new organization of the government under the Federal Constitution, in 1789. But the demands of public business did not wean him from books, of which he was a great lover. He had a passion for the study of Greek authors, and actually translated the Septuagint from the original into English. He made copious notes of the progress of the Revolution, and after retiring from public life, in 1789, he prepared a History of his own times. But his sense of justice and goodness of heart, would not permit him to publish it; and a short time before he died, he destroyed the manuscript. He gave as a reason, that he was unwilling to blast the reputation of families rising into repute, whose progenitors were proved to be unworthy of the friendship of good men, because of their bad conduct during the war. So the world has lost the most authentic civil history of the struggle for independence, ever produced. Mr. Thomson died on the 16th of August, 1824, when in the ninety-fifth year of his age. He then resided at Lower Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he was buried. In 1838, his nephew removed his remains to Laurel Hill Cemetery, over which is a handsome monument, bearing an appropriate inscription, composed by John F. Watson, Esq., the Annalist.

FRANCIS ALLISON.

THE early instructors of great men ought to have a share in the honors of their pupils, if, as faithful teachers, their instructions have led to such greatness. In that relation to several of the men distinguished in the councils of the nation during our War for Independence, stands Francis Allison. He was born in Ireland in 1705, and completed his education at the University of Glasgow, in Scotland. At the age of thirty years he emigrated to America, and having been ordained a minister in the Presbyterian Church, he was chosen pastor of a flock at New London, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. His Christian zeal made him yearn for more workers in his Master's vineyard, and he opened a free school in which he taught many who expressed themselves desirous of becoming gospel bearers. About the year 1747, he was invited to take charge of an academy in Philadelphia, where he became instructor of many youths, who afterward occupied conspicuous public stations. He had educated Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Continental Congress during the whole of the revolution and several years afterward. In 1755, Dr. Allison was chosen vice-provost of the College in Philadelphia, then just established; and among his earliest pupils, was Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was professor of moral philosophy; and during these employments he continued his ministerial labors as pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Dr. Allison died at Philadelphia, on the 28th of November, 1777, at the age of seventy-two years.

from his chaise, when a messenger from the delegates in Carpenter's Hall came to him, and said they wanted him to come and take minutes of their proceedings, as he was an expert at such business. For his first year's service, he received no pay. So Congress informed his wife, that they wished to compensate her for the absence of her husband during that time, and wished her to name what kind of a piece of plate she would like to receive. She chose an urn, and that silver vessel is yet in the family.

48

INCREASE MATHER.

INCREASE MATHER.

AMONG the most eminent divines and boldest asserters of freedom in New England during the angry discussions between those settlements and the imperial governments in the reign of Charles the Second, was Increase Mather, a native of Dorchester, Massachusetts, where he was born on the 21st of January, 1639. He was an exceedingly precocious child; and at the age of twelve years, entered Harvard College as a student. He graduated with honor in 1656, and the following year entered as a student at Trinity College, Dublin. After an absence of four years, he returned to Boston; and in 1664, was ordained minister of the North Church in that city, which connection he held sixty-two years, a part of the time assisted by his son, Cotton Mather.

Mr. Mather was chosen to fill the presidential chair of Harvard College, after the death of President Oakes, but finally resigned when the faculty required him to live in Cambridge, and thus he separated from his beloved flock in Boston. After the English revolution in 1688,' and the expulsion of governor Andros from New England, Mr. Mather went to the court of William and Mary, and by the use of great diplomatic skill, in connection with Sir William Phipps, procured the celebrated charter of 1691, for his native colony. On the assembling of the first legislature, under the new charter, a vote of thanks was adopted by that body, expressive of their appreciation of his faithful public services.

That frightful delusion known as "Salem Witchcraft" prevailed about the time of Mather's return to America, and while his son, Cotton, was fanning the flame, he wrote and spoke against it. Like most people in his day, he believed in the existence of witches, yet his gentle heart and strong common sense utterly condemned the wicked and cruel accusations and prosecutions witnessed almost daily. His pen and tongue were among the most efficient instruments in the final suppression of legal proceedings.

During his presidency of Harvard College, Mr. Mather received the title of Doctor in Divinity from the faculty of that institution. His diploma was the first of the kind issued in America, and he was a worthy recipient of that honor, for his long life was spent in the service of his divine Master, and of his native country. His piety was unaffected, and his benevolence was manifested by his giving one-tenth of all his income to charitable purposes. At the time of his death, which occurred on the 23d of August, 1723, at the age of eighty-four years, he was properly called the Patriarch of New England.

1. James, Duke of York, and brother of Charles the Second, succeeded that monarch as King of Great Britain. He was a Roman Catholic, and like all the other Stuart kings, was a bad man. The people rebelled in 1688, and called James' son-in-law, William, Prince of Orange and Nassau, to the throne. He and his wife, Mary, James' daughter, ruled jointly. Their profiles appeared together on the coins, and that fact was the origin of the expression of endearment

"Cooing and billing,

Like William and Mary on a shilling,"

2. Andros has been termed "The Tyrant of New England." When the revolution became known, Andros was seized, at Boston, put on board a vessel, and, with fifty of his political associates, was sent to England, under a charge of mal-administration of public affairs.

3. See sketch of Cotton Mather.

4. We have noticed the effects of this delusion, in a note on page 27. We may add here, that punishments for witchcraft were first sanctioned by the Romish Church a little more than three hundred years ago. Henry the Eighth made the practice of witchcraft a capital offence; and professional "witch hunters" were common in Great Britain. Even the learned Sir Matthew Hale, one of the brightest ornaments of the English judiciary, repeatedly tried and condemned persons accused of witchcraft.