not liable to commit those blunders so often laid to their charge. The author was very ingenious on this point; but in the midst of his zeal, in the vindication of his countrymen, related the following anecdotes: first, that he had himself seen one of his countrymen cutting off, with great deliberation, the branch of a tree on which he stood. The other example, related as authentic, was-An Irish boy, when put out to nurse, enjoyed fine health and an excellent constitution; but when returned to his parents, was a sickly and puny being, and so continued to be for the remainder of his life. He was afterwards accosted by his old nurse, who craved his charity. The young man refused the request, and with much indignation observed, when you first took me to nurse, I was a fine healthy boy, and you changed me for a sickly one.

MORTUARY.-FOR THE PORT FOLIO.

DIED, in Yorktown, Virginia, on the 14th of December, 1810, in the sixty-second year of his age, the honourable CYRUS GRIFFIN, judge of the Federal Court for the district of Virginia. When appreciating the blessings of liberty, we cannot too highly estimate the services of those who have been instrumental in its establishment; and, whilst we offer to the memory of the warrior who gained our victories, the most exalted tribute of respect and gratitude, we should not overlook the hero of the cabinet, by whose wisdom and firmness, the road of honour and glory was marked out to the soldier. Amongst the number of those excellent characters who aided in our councils to place us in the rank of an independent nation, was the departed Cyrus Griffin. Although educated in Britain, and connected, by marriage, with an ancient and noble family of that country, he was one of the first, who came forward to assert the rights and independence of his native country, and at an early period of his life, was elected a member of the Virginia legislature, by whom, almost at the commencement of our con

federation (1778,) he was appointed a member of congress. In that station he was so much esteemed, that he was elected by congress president of the supreme court of admiralty, where he remained a judge until the court was abolished; when, having been chosen by the legislature of his native state, chief justice of the district of Kentucky, then attached to the state of Virginia, which honourable appointment, though with much reluctance, finding it not convenient to accept, he was again, in 1787, appointed a member of congress. The high estimation in which his character was then held, by a congress of virtuous and enlightened patriots, was evinced by the appointment of their president (1788), and in that high station he continued until the dissolution of our first political compact. General Washington, who well knew Mr. Griffin's merit, determined to provide for him a permanent situation, suited to his talents and habits, and as the first token of his respect and confidence, appointed Mr. Griffin, in conjunction with general Lincoln, and colonel Humphreys, to adjust all differences then existing with the Creek nation of Indians. The mission produced the happy effects expected from it. Mr. Griffin was likewise chosen by the protestant episcopal convention of the state of Virginia, as one of the lay deputies, to represent them, in the general episcopal convention assembled at Philadelphia. When it was believed, that Mr. Griffin might not find employment in the general government, the legislature of his native state again gave him another flattering proof of the estimation in which he was held, by electing him a member of the privy council of Virginia; but before time was allowed to qualify to that office, general Washington promoted him to a seat on the bench, where he acted as judge for twenty-one years. In this long career of valuable services, the honour and integrity of this excellent public servant have never been suspected.

Mr. Griffin's memory will be respected and revered, by all who knew him; for he was the polite scholar, the accomplished gentleman, and an affectionate husband and father, a most sincere friend, a very humane master, and a good christian.