titute of all truth, and worthless as an example, did it not exhibit facts as they really existed. That he devoted his whole life to establish certain principles of internal as well as external policy, which were strenuously opposed, constitutes its chief glory. To exult, in this day of harmony, over his adversaries, would be inglorious; but to record the triumph is no less due to his fame than to truth.

On his retirement, he immediately repaired to his favourite seat, which he seldom afterwards left, and then, only, for short periods, on business. On this, as on many other occasions, his fellow-citizens were desirous of manifesting their respect by some strong public testimonial; but he firmly declined the offer. No one, in fact, more steadily avoided ostentation, or more decidedly, in every instance that regarded himself, repressed the proneness of the multitude to bestow noisy honors. Invited, at one period, to state his birth-day, that it might be marked by public distinction;-" My birth-day," said he, "is the fourth of July, and that is the only one I can take pleasure in seeing celebrated by my fellow-citizens." On his arrivals at, and departures from, the seat of Government, he went unattended; and such was the inflexibility of his purpose in keeping down, so far as respected himself, all state or parade, that he was soon permitted, undisturbed even by sycophancy, to pursue his own course. A resolute adherence to simplicity attended him, indeed, in all his public and private acts. In his social intercourse no artificial discriminations of rank dashed the charm of equality so essential to ease and freedom; and, on public occasions, he was satisfied with the tacit elevation implied in a discharge of official duty. The functionaries of foreign governments were, on their introduction to him, often embarrassed, and sometimes mortified, at the entire absence of etiquette; but they soon learned to appreciate the fitness of an example so congenial to the spirit of the government over which he presided.

As no man had ever filled a public station with greater dignity, so no man knew better how to enjoy retirement. Into this retirement he carried a conscience void of offence to God or man. He could look back on a life of sixty-six

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years devoted to the best interests of his fellow-men. Here he might repose from his labors, but it was the repose of a mind so habituated to action as to be incapable of indolence. He began, at this late day, with the enthusiasm of youth, to realize his early dreams, by adorning a spot whose natural features only required the hand of art to make it a garden, and whose unobstructed and commanding prospects were in admirable keeping with the boundless scope of his own mind. He not only strewed it with flowers, but he planted trees, content, that if he did not enjoy their shade, others would. These employments, and still more those of study, with the endearments of a large family, and the constant resort of distinguished visiters, made these, perhaps, his happiest days. What more can mortal enjoy! He looked back on the past, and felt that he had done as much as any man living for his country; in all his great objects success had crowned his exertions; that country was prosperous and happy beyond any other region on earth; his virtues and talents and services were appreciated by his fellow-men; he possessed a firm health; and the future promised an accession of fame to himself and glory to his country. Thus the past, the present, and the future, lavished their united blessings upon him.

But, gentlemen, pure and benign as were the personal virtues of our associate; extensive and profound as were his political acquirements; although in council he was sagacious and in action energetic; although in his private life he was a model of virtue, and in his public conduct a patriot of Roman texture; although, his, perhaps, more than any other mind, excepting that of Franklin, indicated the course which effected and confirmed our Independence, it is in his character of a philosopher and philanthropist that he is destined to shine the brightest, and with the most enduring glory; with that glory that tears do not dim or blood stain. In the galaxy of ancient greatness we behold, with mixed emotions of admiration and dismay, an Alexander and a Cæsar;-we survey, with hesitating applause, even a Pericles and a Trajan;-but our whole heart goes along with a Socrates and a Numa. And it should be so. Heroes, with few exceptions, have

been the scourges of our race; statesmen have too generally attempted, impotently, I know, to advance the interests of their own country on the ruin of a rival; philosophers alone, animated by the holy spirit of philanthropy, have, by their precepts and example, led the way to universal happiness; have broken down the barriers that divide nations; have taught us that, as we are the creation of one common God, we should, as one family, be united in one common interest. They, and they only, have inculcated this doctrine from the commencement of the world, undismayed by the frowns of tyrants or the bigotry of priests; they, and they only, have kept the sacred fire of truth alive, until we behold it, under the auspices. of reason, and aided by a benevolent religion, spreading from nation to nation, and kindling, wherever it goes, a zeal never to be quenched. If it be impossible to contemplate talents without admiration, and virtue without love, what measure of these rich rewards is not due to those who have thus pre-eminently contributed to the felicity of the species? How noble the position of him, who, standing exalted above the passions and prejudices that divide communities, points them the way to peace and happiness! Such is the position in which our departed friend now stands, and will forever stand! Such the solidity of a fame, based on the whole civilized world!

That such was the estimate he formed of the superior dignity of philosophy, and those who cultivated it, will be attested by all who enjoyed his familiar conversation. To a friend, with whom he conversed without reserve, when his popularity was at its zenith, and he was about to leave the helm of state, he observed," The whole of my life has been at war with my natural taste, feelings and wishes. Domestic life and literary pursuits were my first and latest desire. Circumstances led me along the path I have trodden, and, like a bow long bent, when unstrung, I resume with delight the character and pursuits for which nature designed me."

There is, on this head, a precious document, the offspring of his pen, in which this sentiment is expressed in such language, that it would be injustice to omit it. In January, 1797, he was chosen President of the American

Philosophical Society. On the annunciation to him of this appointment, he replied in the following terms:

"The suffrage of a body, which comprehends whatever the American world has of distinction in philosophy and science in general, is the most flattering incident of my life, and that to which I am the most sensible. My satisfaction would be complete, were it not for the consciousness that it is far beyond my titles. I feel no qualification for this distinguished post, but a sincere zeal for all the objects of our institution, and an ardent desire to see knowledge so disseminated through the mass of mankind, that it may, at length, reach even the extremes of society, beggars and kings.

"Permit me to avail myself of this opportunity of expressing the sincere grief I feel for the loss of our beloved Rittenhouse. Genius, science, modesty, purity of morals, simplicity of manners, marked him as one of nature's best samples of the perfection she can cover under the human form. Surely no society, till ours, within the same compass of time, ever had to deplore the loss of two such members as Franklin and Rittenhouse. Franklin, our patriarch, whom philosophy and philanthropy announced the first of men, and whose name will be like a star of the first magnitude in the firmament of heaven, when the memory of those who have surrounded and obscured him will be lost in the abyss of time."

Of this society he was the pride and delight. His constant attendance at its meetings, while he resided in Philadelphia, gave them an interest which had not been felt since their assembling at the private apartments of Franklin, when too feeble to attend at their hall. The conversations, to which he, more than any other member, gave rise and contributed, made it once more the resort of men whom the strifes of politics and theology had divided; science, under such auspices, began to raise her head, as will appear by consulting the Society's Transactions at that period, which were enriched by several valuable contributions by him.

We have already seen, that, so early as the year 1774, he had appeared before the public as an author, in his Summary of the Rights of British America, and that,

while presiding in the Senate, he had found time to write his Manual.

In 1781, he composed, at the instance of M. la Fayette, a work, which he modestly styled "Notes on the State of Virginia," and of which, with still greater modesty, he caused but a few copies to be printed for the use of his friends. Whether we consider the extensive range of topics illustrated or discussed in this work, embracing most of those, either physical or moral, that have divided the philosophical world; the liberal tone that characterizes it; the energy and philanthropy of the sentiments; the felicity, and often splendor of the diction; we shall be compelled to admire the fertility of a mind, that, unwearied by the arduous duties incident to a war of almost unexampled ravage, delighted to luxuriate in such a wide field of science and literature. At this very time he was Governor of a state overrun by the enemy, vigilantly discharging the duties of his high office. Extraordinary as a combination of such pursuits may be in common men, there was nothing unusual in their union to Jefferson. In every vicissitude of life, as well in stormy as in tranquil times, he maintained his devotion to philosophy and science; and it may be doubted whether he passed a day without allotting some portion of it to the acquisition or diffusion of knowledge.

The unfortunate aborigines of our country he treated with paternal kindness, and respected as samples of strong natural powers. The various topics of philosophical research connected with their manners, and more especially their languages, having led him to make the latter his study, he had collected extensive materials for a work which he contemplated on the subject. Unfortunately, his purpose was frustrated by the wreck of the vessel, which contained them, on her passage from Philadelphia to Richmond. Some estimate may be formed of the loss we have sustained by this misfortune, from the manner in which he has illustrated Indian eloquence in his Notes on Virginia, and from his masterly vindication, in a subsequent performance, on being charged with a want of historical fidelity.