HANCOCK.

JOHN HANCOCK was born in the year 1737, in the province of Massachusetts. The habitation of his father, which is represented as the precise place of his nativity, was situated near the present village of Quincy, and by the ordinary transitions of property in America, is now annexed to the patrimony of John Adams, former president of the United States. In this neighbourhood, it may also be remarked, were born and died, for many generations, the ancestors of the illustrious Samuel Adams. There is, perhaps, no other spot in New England, consecrated by more memorable associations, and less worthy to be noticed with a negligent or superficial observation.

His grandfather, who resided for half a century in the county of Middlesex, and in that part which is since called Lexington, was a clergyman of good reputation. His father, John Hancock, was also a divine; and by the wisdom, the integrity and piety,

with which he administered his theological duties, gained a great ascendant in the affections of his parishoners. He is especially praised for his devotion to learning; and the literary institutions of his native state derived many signal benefits from his patronage and benefactions.

In the enumeration of his ancestors, as far, at least, as my information extends, his paternal uncle merits the most conspicuous and grateful recollection. This gentleman, by his industry and a series of prosperous enterprises, from an humble and obscure condition of fortune, became the most eminent merchant of New England, and was distinguished, at the same time, for many patriotic virtues and many excellent qualities of intellect. He sustained some of the highest offices in the government of the town; was for many years a member of his majesty's provincial council; and what is no usual attribute of his profession, has transmitted the honorable fame of promoting the literature of his country. He studied especially the interests of Harvard University, increased its library, founded a professorship; and the name of Hancock, in letters of gold, now adorns one of the alcoves of that institution, in testimony of his liberality.

Under the tutelage of this uncle, John Hancock, whose father had died during his infancy, received

his education. He was graduated at Harvard college in 1754; and being endowed with a vigorous understanding, a rich and strong imagination, and a docility of temper, it is reasonable to suppose that he performed his collegiate exercises with the usual celerity and success. It is, however, repeated by certain biographers and historians, who have noticed this period of his life, that he discovered, during his studies, no superiority of intellect, or emulation of literary fame; and, by some, these imputations, which become frivolous to those who have considered the subsequent incidents and character of his life, have been extended and propagated with a studied malignity; for, Hancock, in common with all those who have adorned human nature by their virtues, has derived from the licentious interpretations of the malevolent, and misconceptions of the ignorant and credulous, an additional title to the esteem and veneration of those who are able to appreciate his illustrious merits.

Youthful indications, are at all events, no positive evidence of the force of intellectual endowments; and precocity of genius, though often a subject of gratulation, is perhaps no more to be admired or solicited, than that the harvest should yield its fruits in immaturity, or that the buds should expand before the season of vegetation. The imputation of dulness, and