was very serious. At the close of his life, and probably from early times, he had a tremulous motion of the head, which probably added to the solemnity of his eloquence, as this was, in some measure, associated with his voice. He was in favor of adopting the federal constitution, but became an opponent to the administration. Though he and Hancock were the only two men excepted in the British proclamation of amnesty, they were, at one time, on very ill terms with each other from differences in opinion. He died in 1803. Samuel Adams was a sincere, devoted, and most effective agent in the revolutionary cause, with his pen, his tongue, and by example. He put every thing dear to him upon the issue.

He was succeeded in 1797, by Increase Sumner, taken from the bench of the Supreme Court. Governor Sumner was of large person, a sensible man, of truly amiable character. He took an active part in the convention in favor of the constitution. He died in June, 1799, much regretted.

He was buried with the formal ceremonies, which have been observed here, on such occasions, ever since Hancock's time. Four chief magistrates have died in office.

The Chief Justice was Francis Dana, who was sent to Russia as minister during the war, and was absent three years. He was a man of common stature, thin person, stooping a little, and of studious face. He was called an able lawyer, and was a very direct, clear, forcible speaker, but his manner, on the bench, was severe. In winter, he wore a white corduroy surtout, lined with fur, and a large muff; probably Russian acquisitions. Robert Treat Paine was also on the bench. He was a signer of the declaration of independence. He was a man of common stature, but very thin person; and of quick, ardent temper, as his black and sparkling eye might indicate. He did not hear easily. The manners of the court to the bar were, in those days, far from courteous; which occasioned the remark of Mr.

Ames, that a lawyer should come prepared with a club in one hand, and a speaking trumpet in the other. In his private life, he was a kind-hearted, and affectionate man. He was long in public life, and in responsible stations, but there is not a speech, nor a word of his, preserved. He was a strong, earnest speaker, but could not be ranked among the eloquent.

In 1800, Theodore Sedgwick took his seat on the bench of the Supreme Court. He was a zealous advocate for the adoption of the constitution, and is frequently mentioned by Mr. Jefferson, as one of the monarchists; and is included among the disaffected and worthless. He had been for many years in Congress, and Speaker of the House. He moved that the House should pass the necessary laws to carry the British treaty into effect. He was a man of large size, of good face, of dignified and courteous deportment, but with something of display of manner. From the time of his appointment to the bench, the conduct of the court towards. the bar underwent an entire revolution, and the former causes of complaint soon disappeared. He was supposed to have induced this important change. Judge Sedgwick had the reputation of being a good lawyer, and a gentleman, in every meaning of that term.

Towards the end of the last century, among the men who were then juniors, and who were afterwards to take a very important part in the affairs of the country, were Christopher Gore, (then District Attorney,) Samuel Dexter, Harrison Gray Otis, and John Quincy Adams. There was also at the bar John Lowell, who, though he was not in Congress, nor in the national government in any station, had great influence on public opinion, as an undaunted and powerful writer in subsequent days, as there will be occasion to show.

Among the known writers on the opposition side, was the indefatigable Benjamin Austin, author of a long series of essays signed "Old South," and many others. They have

St.

ceased to be remembered; but they may, at some distant
day, be worth an historian's perusal, as indicative of the
temper
of the times. On the other hand, there was a very
able writer who signed himself "Laco." His writings at-
tracted great attention; but the author kept his own secret;

Higson it is not known who he was,

About the end of the century, the forms of society underwent considerable change. The levelling process of France began to be felt. Powder for the hair began to be unfashionable. A loose dress for the lower limbs was adopted. Wearing the hair tied, was given up, and short hair became common. Colored garments went out of use, and dark or black, were substituted. Buckles disappeared. The style of life had acquired more of elegance, as means had increased. Crowded parties, in the evening, were not as common then as they are now. There was more of sociability, and less form and display, than there is now. Some of these changes may be referred to the increase of numbers, and of wealth. The Americans are not a people of light, spiritual amusement, as the French and Germans are. In this part of the country, they are much more like what the English are represented to be. There must be many still living who remember the frank, friendly, social, unceremonious intercourse which prevailed thirty or forty years ago.

Has it disappeared? If it has, from what cause; and is the present state of things a better one?

LETTER XXVII.

APRIL 30, 1833.

THE retirement of General Washington was a cause of

sincere, open, and indecent
party in the United States.

rejoicing among the French In France it was an event

long desired, and cordially welcomed. The real friends of this country, and who were intelligent enough to comprehend the probable consequences, considered the loss of Washington's personal influence a public calamity.

At the time when the necessity of finding a new candidate for the presidency engaged the general attention, the relations of the United States with France were never more vexatious and embarrassing. President Washington had recalled Mr. Monroe, and sent over Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, as his successor. The government of France was then vested in a Directory of five; a Council of Ancients, and an Assembly of five hundred. Mr. Monroe was allowed a very gracious and complimentary retirement, from the presence of the French dignitaries; he was told, at the same time, what an abominable government his own countrymen had, yet how ardently the French loved them. But Mr. Pinckney was refused a reception, threatened with police custody, and at length, peremptorily ordered to quit the French territory. About this time, orders were issued to capture American vessels, wherever found, and bring them in as prize. These orders were faithfully executed. The French colonies in the West Indies sent out great numbers of privateers; and that of St. Domingo alone, sent out eighty-seven.

Before this change in the French policy was known in the United States, the election of President came on. There was great difference of opinion among the federal party, whether to seek the election of John Adams, or Thomas Pinckney. As the constitution then was, both were voted for, by that party, expecting that one of them would be President, and the other Vice President. Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Clinton, of New York, were the two opposing candidates. Most unexpectedly the result was, that Mr. Adams stood highest, Mr. Jefferson next, and Mr. Pinckney third. It was supposed that so many of the eastern

electors, as preferred Mr. Adams to Mr. Pinckney, placed the latter candidate lower than they intended to do, and thereby gave a result which was exceedingly unwelcome, as to the Vice President.

Mr. Adams, on the day of his inauguration (March 4, 1797,) was in his 62d year. He was dressed in a full suit of pearl-colored broadcloth; with powdered hair. He was then bald on the top of his head. Mr. Adams was of middle stature, and full person; and of slow, deliberate manner, unless he was excited; and when this happened, he expressed himself with great energy. Mr. Adams was a man of strong mind, of great learning, and of eminent ability to use knowledge, both in speech and writing. He was ever a man of purest morals: and is said to have been a firm believer in Christianity, not from habit and axample, but from diligent investigation of its proofs. He had an uncompromising regard for his own opinion; and was strongly contrasted with Washington, in this respect. He seemed to have supposed that his opinion could not be corrected by those of other men, nor bettered by any comparison. He had been, from early manhood, a zealous patriot, and had rendered most essential services to his country, at home, and abroad. These he always seems to have had in mind. He well remembered the painful struggles experienced in Europe, to obtain aid for the patriots at home, and an acknowledgment of independence, from governments there, while the war was yet regarded, by England, as rebellion. He ought to have known, as would seem from his own writings, in what manner public services are estimated. An individual can easily remember how much good he has done to a community; but those who are benefited, as easily forget. If public ingratitude is common, it is very natural. It is not improbable that Mr. Adams was impatient in finding how much more the easily understood services of military men were appreciated, than were the