illustrations of his manner of writing, when there was nothing to be said, showing how summarily he could deal with the difficulty. The best, we think, are those written during the Revolution from Philadelphia, and afterwards during his Vice-Presidency - the least attractive those from abroad. The restraint he was under as a public man, at first and at last, lest his letters should be intercepted and turned against himself or the country, led him to confine himself in a great proportion of them to matters of personal or family interest, so that at the most momentous epochs, the reader is vexed and disappointed to meet with so little relating to the events, politics, and distinguished men of the period. The vexation is wholly unreasonable we know, but one cannot but feel it. These letters are after all, therefore, rather a portrait of the writer, drawn by himself, than a picture of the times. They indeed paint the times; but in a sort of dead coloring himself, with a full, strong brush, and with virgin tints.

We offer a few extracts. In the following letter we have an account of the opening of the Congress in 1774.

"Having a leisure moment, while the Congress is assembling, I gladly embrace it to write you a line.

"When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay of New York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina, because we were so divided in religious sentiments; some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some Anabaptists, some Presbyterians, and some Congregationlists, that we could not join in the same act of worship. Mr. Samuel Adams arose and said 'he was no bigot, and could hear a prayer from a gentleman of piety and virtue, who was at the same time a friend to his country. He was a stranger in Philadelphia, but had heard that Mr. Duché' (Dushay they pronounce it) deserved that character, and therefore he moved, that Mr. Duché, an episcopal clergyman, might be desired to read prayers to the Congress tomorrow morning.' The motion was seconded and passed in the affirmative. Mr. Randolph, our President, waited on Mr. Duché and received for answer that, if his health would permit, he certainly would. Accordingly, next morning he appeared with his clerk and in his pontificals, and read several prayers in the established form, and then read the collect for the seventh day of September, which was the thirty-fifth Psalm. You must remember, this was the next morning after we heard the horrible rumor of the cannonade of Boston. I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning.

"After this, Mr. Duché, unexpectedly to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess, I never heard a better prayer, or one so well pronounced. Episcopalian as he is, Dr. Cooper himself never prayed with such fervor, such ardor, such earnestness and pathos, and in language so elegant and sublime, for America, for the Congress, for the province VOL. XXXI. 3D S. VOL. XIII. NO. II. 34

of Massachusetts Bay, snd especially the town of Boston. It has had an excellent effect upon everybody here. I must beg you to read that Psalm. If there was any faith in the sortes Virgilianæ, or sortes Homericæ, or especially the sortes Biblice, it would be thought providential."- Vol. I. pp. 23, 24.

Of Dr. Franklin, he writes to Mrs. Adams in these terms, July 1775.

“You have more than once, in your letters, mentioned Dr. Franklin, and in one, intimated a desire that I should write you something concerning him.

"Dr. Franklin has been very constant in his attendance on Congress from the beginning. His conduct has been composed and grave, and, in the opinion of many gentlemen, very reserved. He has not assumed anything, nor affected to take the lead; but has seemed to choose that the Congress should pursue their own principles and sentiments, and adopt their own plans. Yet he has not been backward; has been very useful on many occasions, and discovered a disposition entirely American. He does not hesitate at our boldest measures, but rather seems to think us too irresolute and backward. He thinks us at present in an odd state, neither in peace nor war, neither dependent nor independent; but he thinks that we shall soon assume a character more decisive. He thinks that we have the power of preserving ourselves; and that even if we should be driven to the disagreeable necessity of assuming a total independency, and set up a separate state, we can maintain it. The people of England have thought that the opposition in America was wholly owing to Dr. Franklin; and I suppose their scribblers will attribute the temper and proceedings of Congress to him; but there cannot be a greater mistake. He has had but little share, further than to coöperate and to assist. He is, however, a great and good man." Vol. I. pp. 53, 54.

From a letter dated the third of July, we take Mr. Adams's reflections upon the passing of the resolutions declaring the independence of the Colonies.

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Yesterday, the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was nor will be decided among men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, and as such they have, and of right ought to have, full power to make war, conclude peace, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which other States may rightfully do." You will see, in a few days, a Declaration setting forth the causes which have impelled us to this mighty revolution, and the reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and man. A plan of confederation will be taken up in a few days.

"When I look back to the year 1761, and recollect the argument concerning writs of assistance in the superior court, which I have hitherto considered as the commencement of this controversy between "Great Britian and America, and run through the whole period, from that time to this, and recollect the series of political events, the chain of

The

causes and effects, I am surprised at the suddenness, as well as greatness of this revolution. Britain has been filled with folly, and America with wisdom; at least, this is my judgment. Time must determine. It is the will of Heaven that the two countries should he sundered forever. It may be the will of Heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting, and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect at least. It will inspire us with many virtues, which we have not, and correct many errors, follies, and vices which threaten to disturb, dishonor, and destroy us. furnace of affliction produces refinement in states as well as individuals. And the new Governments we are assuming in every part will require a purification from our vices, and an augmentation of our virtues, or they will be no blessings. The people will have unbounded power, and the people are extremely addicted to corruption and venality, as well as the great. But I must submit all my hopes and fears to an overruling providence, in which, unfashionable as the faith may be, I firmly believe. — Vol. I. pp. 124, 125.

Again, from another letter of the same date.

"But the day is past. The second* day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.

"You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means. And that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not." - Vol. I. pp. 128,

129.

His countrymen do not move fast enough for Mr. Adams. He thus gives vent to his vexation. The letter is dated April,

1777.

"I am wearied out with expectations that the Massachusetts troops would have arrived, ere now, at Head Quarters. Do our people intend to leave the continent in the lurch? Do they mean to submit? or what fatality attends them? With the noblest prize in view that ever mortals contended for, and with the fairest prospect of obtaining it upon easy terms, the people of the Massachusetts Bay are dead. Does

* The practice has been to celebrate the 4th of July, the day upon which the form of the declaration of Independence was agreed to, rather than the 2d, the day upon which the resolution, making that declaration, was determined upon by the Congress."

our state intend to send only half, or a third of their quota? Do they wish to see another crippled, disastrous, and disgraceful campaign, for want of an army? I am more sick and more ashamed of my own countrymen, than ever I was before. The spleen, the vapors, the dismals, the horrors seem to have seized our whole state. More wrath than terror has seized me. I am very mad. The gloomy cowardice of the times is intolerable in New England." -- Vol. I. p. 217.

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The letter thus closes.

Posterity! you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.” — Vol. I. p. 218.

Here is a picture of some of the effects of a state of war.

"Prices current. Four pounds a week for board, besides finding your own washing, shaving, candles, liquors, pipes, tobacco, wood, &c. Thirty shillings a week for a servant. It ought to be thirty shillings for a gentleman and four pounds for the servant, because he generally eats twice as much, and makes twice as much trouble. Shoes, five dollars a pair. Salt, twenty-seven dollars a bushel. Butter, ten shillings a pound. Punch, twenty shillings a bowl. All the old women and young children are gone down to the Jersey shore to make salt. Salt water is boiling all round the coast, and I hope it will increase. For it is nothing but heedlessness and shiftlessness that prevents us from making salt enough for a supply. But necessity will bring us to it. As to sugar, molasses, rum, &c., we must leave them off. Whiskey is used here instead of rum, and I don't see but it is just as good. Of this, the wheat and rye countries can easily distil enough for the use of the country. If I could get cider I would be content.

"The business of the country has been in so critical and dangerous a situation for the last twelve months, that it was necessary the Massachusetts should have a full representation, but the expenses of living are grown so enormous that I believe it will be necessary to reduce the number of Delegates to three, after the campaign is over." — Vol. I. p. 259.

We have alluded to Mr. Adams's defence against the charge of remissness in writing. After reading the letter which follows, and with which we close our selections, it will be hard to believe him to have been in fault.

"This moment I had, what shall I say? the pleasure or the pain of your letter of 25th October. As a letter from my dearest friend it gave me a pleasure that it would. be in vain to attempt to describe; but the complaints in it gave me more pain than I can express. This is the third letter I have received in this complaining style. The former two I have not answered. I had endeavored to answer them. I have written several answers; but upon a review, they appeared to be such as I could not send. One was angry, another was full of grief, and the third with melancholy, so that I burnt them all. If you

write me in this style, I shall leave off writing entirely. It kills me. Can profession of esteem be wanting from me to you? Can protestation of affection be necessary? Can tokens of remembrance be desired? The very idea of this sickens me. Am I not wretched enough in this banishment without this? What course shall I take, to convince you that my heart is warm? You doubt, it seems. Shall I declare it? Shall I swear to it? Would you doubt it the less? and is it possible you should doubt it? I know it is not. If I could once believe it possible, I should not answer for the consequences. But I beg you would never more write to me in such a strain, for it really makes me unhappy. Be assured, that no time nor place can change my heart; but that I think so often and so much of the blessings from which I am separated, as to be too unmindful of those who accompany me; and that I write to you as often as my duty will permit.” — Vol. II. pp. 36, 37.

Biography and Poetical Remains of the late Margaret Miller Davidson. By WASHINGTON IRVING. Second Edition. Philadelphia: Lea & Blanchard. 1841.

MISS SEDGWICK, in a beautiful memoir published a few ago, directed the attention of many readers to the remarkable history of Lucretia Davidson. This had been previously done in England by Mr. Southey, who has added an enviable wreath to his literary fame by this ready kindness with which he has builded the tombs of those, who have been early distinguished by their genius and their virtues. We are glad, that the task of commemorating her no less interesting sister has fallen into the hands of a writer of true taste and feeling, like Mr. Irving. For it has not unfrequently been the case, that modern biographers have done little honor either to themselves, or to the memory of those whom they have proposed to render immortal. No reader could desire that the story of these lovely sisters should be otherwise told than it is; such bright and beautiful gems would only be injured in their lustre by a careless or gorgeous setting. Their genius was so extraordinary, their purity so stainless, and their lives so early ended, that they gave the impression of superior beings, returning home after accomplishing their short mission here below; a short, but a holy mission; designed to show how delightful and how attractive genius is, when the light is thrown over it of high religious feeling, and of perfect grace and purity of character.

The story of Margaret is brief, and quickly told. It is but the story of early development of great poetical talent, extinguished by early death. Her life glided too quietly away to afford the biographer much incident to tell; but there was a daily beauty in it, which makes it eminently instructive, as well