divine attributes of love and mercy, on which he delighted to dwell, when embodied in his powerful and impressive language, were only second to those of the great English epic poet; while in touches of pathos, particularly in his funeral discourses, or over the premature grave of youthful genius, he opened a direct and easy avenue to the stoutest heart, and his appeals were irresistible. His voice was clear, distinct, and loud, and its inflections, although few, were musical and agreeable; the only defect in his elocution was, too marked and frequent an emphasis, and too little variety in his tones; but his manner was dignified, earnest, and impressive, evincing sincere and ardent piety, and a feeling heart. The effect of his eloquence was enhanced by his fine personal appearance, graceful gestures, and an eye of fire.

In his intercourse with his fellow men and his "walk with God," he was everything which the most devout Christian or rigid moralist could desire; and when he expired, our country was bereaved of a great and good man, and learning and religion sustained a loss not easily supplied. Nor can the influence of such a man ever die. His own family, and many other eminent men, whom he prepared for usefulness, yet diffuse blessings around them, and will continue to act on the world till time shall end. The works of the amiable and eloquent divine are yet teaching our ministers, and his name and memory in Yale College are still held in grateful remembrance. May our young men imitate his example, diffuse their usefulness, and find that

The sweet remembrance of the just,

Like a green root, revives, and bears
A train of blessings for his heirs,
When dying nature sleeps in dust.

6

JOEL BARLOW.

THIS distinguished poet, philosopher, and politician, was born in the village of Reading, in Connecticut, about the year 1755. At an early age, he had the misfortune to lose his father, a respectable farmer, in moderate circumstances, who left a family of ten children, with only a slender patrimony for their support. But the education of young BARLOW was not neglected on this account, and after going through his preparatory studies, he was placed by his guardians at Dartmouth college, New Hampshire, where he remained a short time, when he was transferred to Yale college, New Haven. He here displayed a talent for poetical composition, which attracted the notice of Dr. Dwight, then a tutor in the college, and perhaps, the flattering encouragement he received from this distinguished man, fixed the character of his future life, over which, through all its vicissitudes, a devotion to the muses predominated.

At this period, the revolutionary war was raging, and young BARLOW, impelled by patriotism, and that enthusiasm which formed a marked trait in his character, took up arms in the service of his country, entering as a volunteer in the militia ranks of his native state. He, however, still continued a member of the college, and only sallied into the field during the vacations. He was engaged in various encounters with the enemy, and is said to have borne a part in the warmly contested battle of White Plains.

In 1778, he received the degree of bachelor of arts, and on that occasion, pronounced an original poem, which was afterwards published. On leaving college, he made choice of the profession of the law, and entered zealously upon its studies, but relinquished them in a few months, on being strongly urged by his friends to qualify himself for the Christian ministry, with a view to enter the army as a chaplain; and after only six weeks preparation, he was licensed, and immediately repaired to the camp to commence upon his new duties; in the performance of which, he gave general satisfaction, and was much respected as a preacher. He, however, did not neglect

the muse, but employed his leisure in composing the "Vision of Columbus," which afterwards formed the basis of his great epic poem, "the Columbiad ;" and occasionally wrote patriotic songs and addresses, in conjunction with Dr. Dwight, also a chaplain in the army, and Colonel Humphreys, which are supposed to have had a considerable influence in exciting and keeping alive the enthusiasm of the soldiery.

On taking the degree of master of arts, in 1781, he recited another original poem, entitled the "Prospect of Peace," which he afterwards incorporated in the Vision of Columbus, and which appears with some alterations in the Columbiad. About this period, he married Miss Baldwin, a daughter of the Honorable Abraham Baldwin, then of New Haven, and subsequently of Georgia, which state he represented for many years in the senate of the United States.

BARLOW remained with the army until the acknowledgment of our independence in 1783, when he abandoned the clerical profession, and reverted to his original plan of pursuing that of the law; with which view he removed to the city of Hartford, where he settled himself, as he probably imagined, for life. In addition to his legal pursuits, and for the purpose of immediate support, he established a weekly paper, and gained considerable reputation by various original articles upon the subject of politics, which were novelties at that day.

About the same period, he was employed by an association of the clergy of Connecticut, to revise Dr. Watts' version of the Psalms, so as to adapt them to the new order of things in our country; which service he performed to the satisfaction of the churches; and he also added some original hymns of his own composition, besides versifying some Psalms which had been omitted by Dr. Watts. A distinguished critic* has said of one of these-the hundred and thirtyseventh Psalm,-that it possesses "all the elegance and polish of language of the most highly finished modern poetry." The volume was published in 1786, and was used for many years as the authorized version of the Congregational Churches of New England. In the following year, the "Vision of Columbus" was published, with a dedication to Louis XVI., and, in a few months afterwards, it was reprinted both in London and Paris. He now relinquished his newspaper, and opened a bookstore, principally for the purpose

*See "Biography of JOEL BARLOW," published in the Analectic Magazine, in 1814.