Did we reflect on their toils, their dangers, their fiery trials, the thought would inspire unconquerable courage.' pp. 19-21.

In October, 1769, he married the eldest daughter of William Phillips, Esquire, an eminent merchant in Boston.

'In this connexion, the result of an early attachment, Mr Quincy found a companion, possessed of an intellect and spirit, capable of appreciating and supporting his own character and virtues. During his life she was the confidant of his noble views, and entering, with like ardor, into his political course, cheerfully submitted to the privations it induced, encouraging him with all her influence to risk the perils to which his open, undisguised zeal in the cause of his country, at that time, were thought to expose him and his family. She survived her husband three and twenty years; his fame and memory being the chief solace of her life; and the perfect fulfilment of parental duty to their surviving child, its only object.' p. 29.

The professional eminence of Mr Quincy prompted an immediate application to him to assist in the defence of Captain Preston, and eight soldiers of the 29th British regiment, charged with the murder of five citizens of Boston, in the bloody tragedy of the 5th of March, 1770. His sense of duty, as a lawyer, impelled him to yield to the request, and in this course, he had the support of his distinguished copatriot, John Adams, who was senior counsel in that memorable defence. Mr Quincy's father, having heard reports of his engagement for the prisoners, wrote an anxious letter of inquiry on the subject. The son's reply, (p. 36,) is respectful and affectionate, but decided as to the course of conduct on the occasion, which he had determined to adopt.

The published account of the trial contains Mr Quincy's able and eloquent argument at length; which is also given in this volume. It discovers great ingenuity, and beauty of sentiment and expression, and we cannot but notice the address with which he not only avoids embarrassment, from his well known political character, but finds occasion to introduce trains of thought connecting the grounds of defence with his political opinions and doctrines.

Captain Preston, who was tried separately, and six of the soldiers, were acquitted. Two of the soldiers were convicted of manslaughter.

In 1771 and 1772, Mr Quincy's labors, as a political writer, were incessant, and all his performances in the, great pub

lic cause, in which he engaged, breathed that bold, ardent, and vehement spirit, which characterised his life, speeches, and writings.' These exertions, with his professional labors, exhausted his strength, and enfeebled a frame naturally not robust. In the latter part of 1772, such decided symptoms of pulmonary disease were manifested, that he found it necessary for a time to abandon the field of debate, and to repair to a more southern climate. On the eighth of February, 1773, he embarked for Charleston. On the same day, he commenced a Journal, from which the author of the Memoir has enriched his volume with many extracts. The generous reader will readily sympathise with the interesting valetudinarian throughout the whole of his tour, from his affectionate impressions as he sails down the harbor of Boston, in view of the shades of Braintree, the cherished abode of his childhood, and the residence of a beloved parent, until his return. A severe storm, which occurred when the packet was within thirty leagues of the destined port, is feelingly depicted. The tremendous gale was attended with rain, hail, snow, and sleet, and continued with few and inconsiderable intermissions, for five successive days.

Mr Quincy arrived safely at Charleston, February 28th. His first impressions of that flourishing city were favorable, and every day of his residence, and of his intercourse with its kind and polished inhabitants, afforded additional sources of gratification. He remained in Charleston, until March 25th, when he proceeded homeward by land, visiting North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, noticing objects worthy of attention, in reference to soil, cultivation, productions, commerce, manners and customs, political and civil institutions, and cultivating an acquaintance with many eminent men, particularly with those who had engaged with interest in the cause which he had so much at heart.

At New York he took passage for Newport, passing down the Sound, without visiting Connecticut, and arrived home about the middle of May. During this brief absence, his active mind, surmounting the disease with which he was afflicted, was busily engaged, and the remarks in his journal, on men and things, give abundant evidence of discrimination. and just discernment, and of the generous and lofty spirit

with which he was animated. In South Carolina, he became acquainted with Lavinus Clarkson, David Deis, T. L. Smith, John Mathews, Miles Brewton, Charles C. Pinckney, E. Rutledge, Messrs Bee, Parsons, Simpson, and Scott, (the seven last mentioned all gentlemen of the bar,) Roger Smith, Thomas Lynch, J. Rutledge, Charles Pinckney senior, and J. Allston. C. C. Pinckney and E. Rutledge, were, at that time, just returned from England, where they had pursued their legal studies, and had taken the degree of Barrister. Mr Quincy was much in the society of these gentlemen, and received from them many polite attentions. I was much entertained,' he observes, 'with Mr Pinckney's conversation, who appeared a man of brilliant natural powers, and improved by a British education at the Temple.' Mr Rutledge possessed a manuscript collection of Reports, which Mr Quincy, from his devotedness to his profession, found time to copy, amidst his many social engagements, in that hospitable city.

In North Carolina he visited William Hill, 'a most sensible, polite gentleman, and though a crown officer, a man replete with sentiments of general liberty, and warmly attached to the cause of American freedom,' Colonel Dry, Dr Cobham, at whose house in Wilmington, he dined, with Messrs Harnett, Hooper, Burgwin, and Dr Tucker. Mr Harnett he describes as the Samuel Adams of North Carolina, except in point of fortune.' At Newbern he visited Judge Howard; breakfasted with Colonel Buncombe, of Tyrrell county, and at Edenton spent his time in dining and conversing with the most celebrated lawyers.'

On the 6th of April, our traveller entered Virginia. We cannot but regret that Mr Quincy failed of an interview with the distinguished congenial characters in Virginia, from whom he would doubtless have received a most cordial reception. In Maryland he was occupied with attending the courts of law; he mentions no gentleman to whom he was introduced, but Daniel Dulany, the Attorney General. On the 23d of April he entered Pennsylvania, and appears to have been particularly pleased with all he saw in that flourishing province. In Philadelphia he received civilities from Dr Shippen, Thomas Smith, Mr Dickinson, author of the Farmer's Letters, Mr Galloway, Speaker of the House, Joseph Reed, Jonathan B.

Smith, Chief Justice Allen and his sons, Jared Ingersoll, and Peter Wycoff. His visit to Mr Dickinson is thus briefly communicated.

May 3d. The morning of this day spent in reading, and amusements of the itinerary kind. Dined with John Dickinson Esq. the celebrated Pennsylvania "Farmer," at his country seat, about two miles and a half from town. A large company were very elegantly entertained. This worthy and able politician (for such he is, though his views and disposition lead him to refuse the latter appellation) here enjoys "otium cum dignitate" as much as any man.' p. 133.

Mr Quincy would willingly have protracted his visit in Pennsylvania, but finding a friend from New England, who was returning home, and desirous of his company, he left Philadelphia on the 9th of May. The travellers passed rapidly through New Jersey. At New York he made but few observations. He mentions a visit to the theatre, an establishment then a novelty in this country. On the performance, and on the character and tendency of theatrical amusements, he has the following remarks.

'May 11th. Breakfasted with Major Bayard; received a few complimentary visits, and an invitation to dine with Colonel William Bayard, at his seat in the country. Went to the theatre in the evening, saw the Gamester and the Padlock performed. The actors make but an indifferent figure in tragedy, a much better in comedy. Hallam has merit in every character he acts. I was, however, upon the whole, much amused; but as a citizen and friend to the morals and happiness of society, I should strive hard against the admission, and much more the establishment of a theatre, in any state of which I was a member.' pp. 138, 139.

The journal of this tour closes with these observations. 'What I have set down will be chiefly useful to myself. A bird of passage may easily collect, peradventure bear away, food for itself; but can transport on its fleeting tour very little, if anything, of sufficient solidity for the nourishment of others.

'Were I to lament anything, it would be the prevalent and extended ignorance of one colony of the concerns of another; were I to breathe a wish, it would be, that the numerous and surprisingly increasing inhabitants of this extensive and fertile continent, may be thoroughly attentive to, and suitably actuated by, the blessings of Providence, the dangers which surround them, and the duties they owe to God, themselves, and posterity.' pp. 140, 141.

Soon after Mr Quincy's return to Boston, a disclosure was made of the letters of Bernard, Hutchinson, and other crown officers, which had been transmitted from England by Dr Franklin. Mr Quincy partook, in full measure, of the indignant excitement produced by that communication, and wrote a series of essays on the subject, under the signature of 'Marchmont Nedham.' A paragraph from one of these essays is quoted in the Memoir, from which we may form a judgment of the style and temper of the whole. If to appear for my country is treason, and to arm for her defence is rebellion,-like my fathers, I will glory in the name of rebel and traitor,-as they did in that of puritan and enthusiast.'

An acquaintance which he had made with George Clymer, of Philadelphia, distinguished in the annals of his country for enlightened patriotism, sound judgment, and undeviating integrity, produced a letter from that gentleman (p. 144) on the politics of the day, in July, 1773, soon after a return from a visit to Boston, to which Mr Quincy replied in his characteristic manner.

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In May, 1774, Mr Quincy published his chief political work,' Observations on the Act of Parliament commonly called the Boston Port Bill, with thoughts on Civil Society, and Standing Armies. It is a bold and spirited performance, exposing in strong and indignant language the threatened vengeance on the town of Boston; and on the concluding topics, Civil Society and Standing Armies, discovering most industrious research into various sources of information, historical, legal, or political, having a bearing on the subject; an extent of investigation not to have been expected in a sudden production, as he declares it to be, 'from one of infirm health, perplexed with various avocations.' It was dedicated to the Freeholders and Yeomanry of the Country. In you, Gentlemen,' said he, as the landed interest of the country, do I place my confidence, under God, at this day.' He did not live to witness the conflict, which, it is evident from his writings, he anticipated. When that serious crisis arrived, the freeholders and yeomanry of the country did not disappoint his expectations. When this work was advertised as being in the press, the author received an anonymous letter from the British Coffee House, in which he

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