QUINCY JOSIAH, an American statesman, born in Boston, February 4, 1772, died in Quincy, Mass., July 1, 1864. He was the only son of Josiah Quincy, jr., the noted patriot and orator of ante-revolutionary times, who dying a few months before the outbreak of the war of independence, bequeathed to his infant offspring the works of Sidney, Locke, and Bacon, with the additional wish, "May the Spirit of of Liberty rest upon him!" Young Quincy received his preliminary education at Phillips' Academy, Andover, Mass., and was graduated at Harvard College in 1790, with the highest honors of his class. In 1793 he commenced the practice of the law in Boston, but amidst the political turmoil of the time he showed less inclination for a professional than for a public career, which seemed more suited to his peculiar turn of mind, and to which the example of his father and the expectations of his friends incited him. Though courted by the anti-federalists, he early associated himself with the federal party, to which he remained faithful while it had a name or organization, and from the principles of which he never swerved to the day of his death. In 1797 he married Eliza, daughter of Col. John Morton, of New York, with whom he lived most happily for fiftythree years; and in 1800, being then twentyeight years of age, he was brought forward by the federalists as their candidate to represent the Boston district in Congress, but was defeated by William Eustis, afterwards Secretary of the Navy. At the next congressional election, John Quincy Adams was the federal candidate, but met with even less success than Mr. Quincy, who in 1804 finally prevailed over his old antagonist by a handsome majority, and in December, 1805, took his seat as a member of the Ninth Congress. By successive elections he held this position until 1813, when he declined a renomination and retired to private life. His oratorical abilities, readiness in debate, wit, sarcasm, and extensive political knowledge, made him the leader of the small but resolute band of federalists, who maintained in the national legislature a hopeless opposition to the dominant republican party. He proved a constant thorn in the side of the administrations of Jefferson and Madison, and in the acrimonious warfare then carried on in Congress, no one showed himself a more consummate master of fence. He often indeed went beyond the limits of parliamentary decorum, seeming rather to court than to shun opposition; and some of his speeches are remarkable for passionate declamation and invective. The embargo, the purchase of Louisiana, and the war of 1812, were among the chief measures which he opposed, and he was one of the first to denounce the slaveholding interest as a rising and dangerous tyranny.

Upon retiring from Congress Mr. Quincy, having at his command an ample fortune, hoped to be able to devote much of his time to agricultural pursuits at his country seat in Quincy, near Boston. But he had assumed too conspicuous a position to be at once spared by his party, and he was almost immediately elected to the Massachusetts State Senate, where he continued to be a no less earnest opponent of the war than when in Congress. One of his most conspicuous acts in the former body, was the framing of a preamble and resolution on the capture of the British corvette Peacock, by the Hornet, under Captain Lawrence. The preamble praised the conduct of the commander, officers, and crew of the Hornet, but the resolution which followed declared that the "war was waged without justifiable cause,' and that it did not become a moral and religious people to express approbation of exploits not immediately connected with the defence of the seacoast and harbors of the country. He remained in the Senate until 1820, when, on the ground that his course was compromising the interests of his party, he failed to obtain a renomination. He was immediately, however, elected to the Massachusetts House of Repre sentatives from Boston, and became speaker of that body. He filled the same office at the next session of the Legislature in 1821, but resigned before the expiration of his term, in order to accept the position of judge of the Municipal Court of Boston. In this capacity he laid down, for the first time, the doctrine, now generally accepted, that the publication of the truth with good intentions and for a justifiable motive, is not libellous. In 1823 he was elected mayor of Boston, and held the office by successive reelections until 1828, when he was appointed President of Harvard University to succeed Dr. Kirkland. He was inaugurated in June, 1829, and discharged the duties of his office with eminent ability and usefulness until the summer of 1845, when, having reached the ripe age of 73, he retired permanently to private life.

His remaining years were rendered agreeable by the pursuit of literature, and by the society of his numerous friends and of his family. A constitution of remarkable strength enabled him to undertake duties usually assumed by men of early manhood or middle life, and he entered into them with an enthusiasm characteristic of his early career. Even after he had passed his 90th year, his hale and but slightly bowed figure could frequently be seen about the streets of Boston, where he was universally respected, and even venerated, as the sole survivor of an older race of statesmen. His manners, frank, cordial, and conciliating, his unselfish kindness of heart, and his integrity of character, against which not even his most in

veterate political enemies had ever breathed a suspicion, all contributed to render his old age interesting and endearing. Few men, it may be said, have ever so completely outlived the animosity which party rancor had associated with their character. Though retired from political life he continued to be in theory a federalist of the early type, and an uncompromising opponent of a slaveholding power. He was a warm advocate of the election of Col. Fremont in 1856, in whose behalf he wrote and even spoke in public, though then in his 85th year; and the outbreak of the rebellion in 1861 found him a staunch supporter of the Government, notwithstanding the infirmities of age prevented him from taking an active part in

He looked upon the

support of the Union. war as the most hopeful sign of the country's future that he had ever seen, and predicted from the date of its termination the commencement of a new and grander epoch of national greatness.

Besides a number of speeches in Congress and occasional orations, in which he evinced a considerable degree of florid eloquence, Mr. Quincy published a memoir of his father; "History of Harvard University" (2 vols., Cambridge, 1840), expanded from his oration at the second Centennial of the University; "Municipal History of Boston during two centuries;" "Life of John Quincy Adams," and some miscellaneous works.

RANNEY, MOSES H., M. D., an American physician, born at Stockbridge, Vt., Aug. 16th, 1814, died in New York, of typhus fever, Dec. 7th, 1864. He graduated at the Berkshire Medical Institute, at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1838, and subsequently practised his profession in Saulsbury, Vt., for seven years. In 1845 he removed to New York City, and was appointed assistant physician of Bellevue Hospital. After a due course of service he was appointed resident physician of the lunatic asylum on Blackwell's Island, in 1847, which position he held until his decease. He occupied a high place in the medical profession, and was thoroughly adapted for the important and responsible position to which he was called, and from his experience and close application to the study of mental diseases was accounted as an authority both in the profession and in the courts; his opinions being frequently made the basis of judicial decisions. Dr. Ranney was a member of the New York Pathological Society, and a frequent contributor to the medical and psychological journals of the United States.

RANSOM, THOMAS EDWARD GREENFIELD, & brigadier-general of U. S. volunteers, born in Norwich, Vt., November 29, 1834, died of dysentery at Rome, Ga., October 29, 1864. In 1846 he entered Norwich University, continuing there, with the exception of a short interval, until the age of seventeen. In 1851 he entered upon the practise of his profession as an engineer, in Lasalle County, Illinois. Three years later he embarked in the real estate business at Peru in that State, and in 1855 removed to Chicago to become a member of a firm largely engaged in land operations. At a later period he removed to Fayette County, and while engaged in trade acted as an agent for the Illinois Central Railroad Company. At the commencement of the war he raised a company and proceeded to Camp Yates, at Springfield, April 24, 1861, where it was organized into the 11th I linois volunteers, and upon the election of offi

cers he was made major. After the expiration of the three months' service the regiment was reorganized and mustered in for three years, Ransom being elected lieutenant-colonel. On the night of the 19th of August, in a brilliant dash upon Charleston, Mo., he was severely wounded, and in consequence was granted a furlough of thirty days, but reported for duty upon the seventh day. He participated in the capture of Fort Henry, and led his regiment in the assault upon Fort Donelson, where he was again severely wounded, his clothing being pierced by six bullets, but he would not leave the field until the battle was ended. For his gallantry upon that occasion he was promoted to the colonelcy. At Shiloh Colonel Ransom led his regiment through the hottest part of the battle, and was mentioned by Major-General McClernand in his official report as "perform ing prodigies of valor, though reeling in his saddle and streaming with blood from a serious wound." He subsequently served upon the staff of Gen. McClernand, and also upon that of Gen. Grant, who has on several occasions borne testimony to his bravery as an officer. In January, 1863, Ransom was appointed brigadier-general, his commission dating from November, 1862. He won honor to himself at Vicksburg and during the Red River campaign, commanded a division until Gen. McClernand fell ill, when the command of the corps devolved upon him. In the disastrous battle of Sabine Cross-Roads, April, 1864, while fighting with a

courage and bravery unsurpassed, he was severely wounded in the knee. The limb was examined by four surgeons, two advising amputation, and the others deeming it unneces sary. Subsequently Gen. Ransom was assigned to the command of the Fourth division, Sixteenth army corps, operating in the vicinity of Atlanta, from thence was promoted to the command of the left wing of the corps, and finally to the command of the Seventeenth corps. From the date of the capitulation of

Atlanta, Gen. Ransom had suffered from a severe attack of dysentery, but no consideration would induce him to leave the post of duty. While his corps was in pursuit of Hood's army he directed its movements though obliged to ride in an ambulance, being too weak to sit upon his horse, and soon after sank under the power of his disease. His career, though short, was brilliant. He was a man of fine genius, great military capacity, and of unblemished personal character.

REEDER, ANDREW H., ex-Governor of Kansas, born near Trenton, N. J., about 1808, died at Easton, Pa., July 5th, 1864. When a boy he removed to Easton, where he spent the greater portion of his life. He studied law, was admitted early to the bar, and by his own merit rose to a position of distinction. He was a prominent and influential member of the Democratic party, but never would accept any office until 1854, when, without solicitation upon his part, or any knowledge that his name was presented, he was appointed first governor of Kansas. He went out with the intention of executing the law in accordance with the squatter sovereignty doctrine of Senator Douglas, but the troubles arising from the election frauds made him a Republican. In July, 1855, Gov. Reeder was removed from office. He, however, remained in the State, and was unanimously elected by the people their delegate to Congress, and afterwards, by the legislature convened under the Topeka constitution, the first United States Senator from Kansas, but the constitution not having been ratified by Congress he did not take his seat. At the outbreak of the war the first military appointments made by the President were Nathaniel Lyon and Gov. Reeder to be brigadier-generals of the regular army. The latter, upon mature deliberation, arrived at the patriotic conclusion that he was too far advanced in life to learn a new profession upon the field of battle. His contributions to his country have, nevertheless, been large, his three sons having immediately entered the army.

REFORMED CHURCHES.-The following is a summary of the statistics of the German Reformed Church in the United States in 1864:

General Synod, 1; Synods, 2; Classes, 27; Ministers, 460; Congregations, 1,134; Members, 107,394; Unconfirmed Members, 73,576; Baptisms, 10,829; Confirmations, 4,903; Received on Certificate, 1,612; Communicants, 89,115; Excommunicated, 160; Dismissed, 674; Deaths, 4,675, Sabbath Schools, 852; Sabbath School scholars (one Synod only reported), 20,551; Benevolent Contributions, $97,041.30. This, as compared with the report of the previous year, shows an increase of one Classis, 13 Ministers, 35 Congregations, 8,619 Members, 7,275 Unconfirmed Members, 1,744 Communicants, and $77,512.46 contributions for benevolent objects. There are 42 Sabbath Schools less reported, but an increase of 3,147 Sabbath School scholars. Baptisms were 910 less, the Confirmations 649, and Deaths 4. The most prominent feature of

the past year in this Church was the Convention held at Reading, Pa., in May, to close, with appropriate services, the three hundreth anniversary of the adoption of the Heidelberg Catechism. The tercentenary contributions were reported to amount to over $103,000. These contributions gave a new impulse to the theological and benevolent activities of the Reformed Church in this country. Corresponding services were also held in the Reformed Churches of Holland and Germany.

The General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church met on June 1st, at Schenectady, and elected Rev. Philip Phelps, Jr., Moderator. The Church consists of the three Particular Synods of Albany, New York, and Chicago, the latter of which, being of recent origin, furnished this year, for the first time, the President of the General Synod. The Church has highly-flourishing missions at Arcot, in India, and Amoy, in China. The missionaries at the latter place have been for several years requested by the General Synod to establish themselves as a Classis of the Dutch Reformed Church of the United States, while they themselves regard it as better for the interests of their mission to unite for the present with the English Presbyterian missions at Amoy. The General Synod, while adhering to their former views, yet resolved to leave the decision as to the proper time of forming a Classis, to the judgment of the missionaries. The contributions of the Church for foreign missions were reported to be $21,686, against $20,742 in 1863, still only 286 out of 422 churches have contributed.

Resolutions were adopted sympathizing with the Government, and thus speaking of slavery: In time past the General Synod has not deemed it necessary to give forth a judgment in regard to the system of American slavery, inasmuch as it existed in regions beyond the bounds of our Church; yet as in the overruling providence of that God who knows how to make the wrath of man to praise him, there is a prospect opened for the ultimate and entire removal of that system which embodies so much of moral and social evil, and as by such removal there is opened a wide field of Christian labor, to employ the whole Christian Church in this land, the Synod expresses its gratitude to God for this bright prospect, and would join in the prayer that the day may be hastened when liberty shall be effectually and finally proclaimed throughout all the land to all the inhabit

ants thereof.

His

REID, DAVID BOSWELL, M. D., F. R. S. E., a Scottish physicist, and writer on chemistry, ventilation, &c., born at Edinburgh in 1805, died at Washington, D. C., April 5, 1863. Dr. Reid received his early education in the High School of Edinburgh, from which he was transferred to the university of that city. medical course of study was pursued at the university, where his brilliant success as 8 student made him a great favorite, and he was elected senior President of the Royal Medical Society before he received his medical degree. Soon after receiving his medical diploma he was elected a member of the Royal College of

Physicians, and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Engaging, as most of the young physicians of Edinburgh were in the habit of doing, in dispensary practice, he was painfully impressed with the great need of better ventilation in the houses of the poor, and the lessons taught him by his experience there were never forgotten. While a student in the university he had been assistant to Sir John Leslie, then Professor of Natural Philosophy in the university, and after his graduation he had taught independent classes in chemistry, until he was called by Dr. Hope to assist him in his chemical course in 1827, and for five years had the entire charge of the classes of practical and analytical chemistry in the university. In 1832 he determined to resume his independent classes, and erected a class-room and laboratory larger than any in Edinburgh, which he opened in 1833, and for the next seven years had about three hundred pupils annually in his chemical classes. In 1836 he was called to make such alterations in the old House of Commons as should secure its better ventilation, and in 1839 superintended similar changes in the House of Peers. When the Houses of Parliament were burned in 1840, he was called from Edinburgh to direct the ventilation of the new Houses. For five years he continued in this work, though under serious difficulties and constant annoyance from the numerous changes to which his plans were subjected by the builders. He finally refused to be responsible for the success of the ventilation unless his plans could be adhered to strictly, and he himself sustained in enforcing them. As a result of this, the House of Commons, after a sharp contest, accorded to Dr. Reid all that he asked, while the House of Peers withdrew their House from his jurisdiction. He never acted subsequently at the Houses of Parliament, except under protest, gaining a public hearing at the bar of the House of Commons in 1852, and carrying an award against the Government at an arbitration the following year. Dr. Reid was more fortunate in being freed from interference in the application of his plans of ventilation in the construction of St. George's Hall, Liverpool, the largest public building in that city, containing upwards of one hundred rooms, the ventilation of which was perfect even when most densely crowded. His plans were also introduced into numerous public buildings, manufactories, and private habitations.

His system was based upon a new estimate of the quantity of air required for respiration, and of the varied circumstances that inodified this amount. Its leading features in public buildings consisted in his treating the whole structure as a piece of apparatus, and securing, whenever necessary, the power by engines, shafts, or otherwise, of introducing an atmosphere with the most gentle possible impetus, with the greatest diffusion practicable, and of the quality in respect to temperature and moisture best adapted to the wants and numbers of

the audience, while the most scrupulous care was observed in taking the air from the purest accessible source, and in reducing the amount of impurities when present in such quantities as to require attention. He made ventilation a primary instead of a secondary question. His difficulties in securing thorough ventilation and pure air in the old House of Commons, which had the river Thames, with its noisome vapors on one side, a pestilential graveyard on the other, and a hundred and fifty offensive factories in the immediate vicinity, forced the question of sanitary improvement upon his attention, and in 1842 he was appointed one of the "Commissioners to inquire into the state of large towns and populous districts in England and Wales," better known as the "Health of Towns' Commission." In this capacity he gave, under the sanction of the Privy Council, a course of lectures at Exeter Hall to one thousand teachers on the necessity and means of improving the sanitary condition of densely-populated districts. He also visited and superintended the introduction of improved methods of ventilation and sewerage in most of the cities of the United Kingdom, especially in court-houses, churches, schools, ships of war, prisons, and tenementhouses. He also made a report to Government concerning the better ventilation of mines. So zealous a sanitary reformer could not fail to arouse the dislike and hostility of those who had a vested interest in the wrongs which he so fearlessly exposed; and it is no matter of wonder that the "London Times" always the organ and defender of hereditary and privileged abuse, should have sought, by the most reckless falsehoods and malignant misrepresentations, to crush him. In this effort it was unsuccessful; its falsehoods and slanders, though never retracted, were nailed to the counter by the reports of the Committees of the House of Commons, the investigations of the Admiralty and the civic authorities, and the testimony of the most eminent men of the nation, and in the end Dr. Reid gained in reputation from the abuse of the "Times." Having occasion to visit St. Petersburg, on a mission connected with the ventilation of some of the Government buildings there, Dr. Reid received letters from Lord John Russell to the Russian authorities, and was received with great attention by the Emperor Nicholas, and requested to direct the ventilation of the public buildings and vessels of war. The present Emperor subsequently charged him with the application of his system of ventilation to the war steamer General Admiral, built in New York.

In 1856 Dr. Reid came to the United States, bearing official letters to the President from Lord John Russell, and interested himself on the subject of quarantine and on the improvement of the sanitary condition of our large cities. He subsequently removed to the West, and after filling for a time a professorship of applied chemistry in the University of Wisconsin, made his residence at St. Paul, Minn. His

admirable qualifications for such a service led the U. S. Sanitary Commission to select him as one of its medical inspectors. He entered with great zeal upon his duties, and was of eminent service to the army in urging and securing larger camping grounds, better ventilation in the tents, and a more efficient sanitary police in the camps and hospitals, as well as in the direction of the necessary supplies to supplement the Government provisions for the sick soldiers. While engaged in this benevolent work he was seized with congestion of the lungs, and died at Washington after a brief illness.

The following list comprises Dr. Reid's principal works: "An Introduction to the Study of Chemistry," Edinburgh, 1825; “Rudiments of the Chemistry of Daily Life," Edinburgh, London, and New York, many editions, 18361854; "Text-Book for Students of Chemistry," three editions, Edinburgh, 1834-1839; "Elements of Chemistry, Theoretical and Practical," three editions, Edinburgh, 1832-1839; "The Study of Chemistry as a General Branch of Education," two editions, London, 1842; "Illustrations of Ventilation," London, 1844; "Ventilation of the House of Commons," printed for the Government, 1837; "Ventilation of the Niger Steamships," printed for the African Colonization Society, 1841; "A Reply to the Times and Atheneum," London, 1846; "Ventilation of St. George's Hall, Liverpool, printed for the corporation of Liverpool," 1855; "Ventilation in American Dwellings," New York, 1858 and 1863; "A Short Plea for the Revision of Education in Science," St. Paul, 1861. In addition to these he had contributed the article "Ventilation" to the Encyclopedia Britannica, and numerous papers to scientific journals in Great Britain and the United States, and to the publications of the Smithsonian Institution, the U. S. Sanitary Conventions, and to Parliamentary and Legislative documents.

REVOLVING TURRETS constitute the essential feature of American armored vessels. The principle seems equally applicable to land fortifications. The inventor of this system is Theodore R. Timby, who was born in Dutchess County, N. Y., April 5th, 1822. He received the school and academical education usual for the sons of substantial farmers. The natural bent of his mind was toward mechanical inventions. When only sixteen years old he constructed a model, substantially like those now in use, of a floating dry dock; this was submitted to persons whom he supposed capable of deciding upon its practical value. They admitted the idea to be ingenious, but said that its execution was impracticable. The invention was dropped. Years after it was reinvented by others; but the floating docks now in use contain nothing essential which was not involved in the invention of the young resident of a country village. Another invention, an improvement upon the turbine water-wheel, proved useful and profitable. In all, Mr. Timby has obtained patents for more than a score

of valuable inventions. The most important of these is that of the Revolving Turret, as applied to naval and military purposes. The idea of this was conceived while he was a mere boy. The original model, constructed in 1841, and still in his possession, contains the germ of the whole invention. On the 18th of January, 1843, he filed his first caveat for the invention in the United States Patent Office. The specifications were "for a Revolving Metallic Tower, and for a Revolving Tower for a Floating Battery to be propelled by steam." It would be difficult, in so few words, more clearly to describe our "monitors" and the whole class of turreted vessels which has succeeded them. Meanwhile he had been engaged in constructing a large iron model. This was completed in the spring of 1843, and was publicly exhibited in New York and elsewhere. This is on record in the New York "Herald " and "Evening Post" of June 7th, 1843, and in many other newspapers of the time. For some years he continued to develop his invention still further, and filed additional specifications in the Patent Office. He made several models, one of which was presented to the emperor of China by our minister, Mr. Cushing.

Mr. Timby, from 1843 onwards, pressed his invention upon the attention of the American Government. Its practicability was admitted, but it was assumed to be wholly superfluous. The existing fortifications, it was. said, were far more than were necessary. Once indeed, in July, 1848, a favorable report was made to Mr. Marcy, then Secretary of War, by Jefferson Davis, D. L. Yulee, F. H. Elmore, and Dixon H. Lewis, endorsed by Col. Bumford, Chief of the Ordnance Bureau. This official recognition is some years anterior to the time when Capt. Coles claims to have invented the turret. When the rebellion broke out, Mr. Timby sprung to the development and practical application of his favorite invention; he constructed a fifth model, embodying all the improvements to which he had devoted the energies of eighteen years. The patents which he had secured covered the broad claim "for a Revolving Tower for Offensive and Defensive Warfare, whether used on land or water." When therefore the "monitors" were to be built, the constructors at once recognized the validity of his claim, and paid him a liberal sum for the right to use his invention. These facts prove incontestably that he is the inventor of the revolving turret.

The general advantages of the revolving turret, even as already constructed, are apparent. It not only affords perfect protection to the guns and gunners, but enables each gun to be brought to bear upon every point of the circle within its range. But the turrets hitherto built embody only a small part of their offensive power as developed by the inventor. To explain this it will be more convenient to consider a turret for a land fortification, where