worth than sincerity and truth. His passions and affections were powerful and ardent, and appeared the more so as the constitutional temperament of his body was nervous; but he governed them well, observing the apostle's precept, Be ye angry and sin not.' Malice and vindictiveness were unknown to him, and arrogance was contrary to his nature. In short, a more frank, honourable, and upright man, or a better specimen of a Christian gentleman, has never fallen within the range of my observation. In the early history of the American Church, it is well known that he was among the most able, sound, and zealous of her sons.'

For four years young Hobart continued to enjoy the combined advantage of such a teacher and model, the more operative in both characters, because he was equally loved and admired.

What the scholar was at this time, may be judged from the recollections of the same companion and friend. 'Labor vincit omnia, was one of Hobart's earliest lessons, and his ruling sentiment. His improvement was marked accordingly. His class-mates were all, I believe, his seniors; but he soon gained and kept, during his whole course, the enviable distinction of being head in all their studies. He was often honoured by the open approbation of the principal, and his example commended to imitation. The trustees too, at the stated examinations, were liberal of encomium, and the popular voice of the school echoed their praise.'

The following graphic picture, from the same pencil, however incongruous its associations may be with the idea of a Right Reverend, is yet in excellent keeping with our notions of a fine spirited school-boy. Among boys, rank is generally conceded more to bodily than intellectual power. It was less the case in regard to Hobart than usual. There were few of his years who were not taller or more robust than he; but he was active, muscular, and well set, and what was more than all these, he was of approved courage; hence he was looked upon as a com

batant to be respected, if not to be feared. Besides, he was ever anxious to have his quarrel just; and in our little squabbles on the play-ground, and more serious rencontres, we often heard him maintaining its justice by impassioned harangues, which in vehemence might well have suited one of Homer's heroes. The singularity of these exercises, whether they convinced or not, amused us, and often made strife and anger give place to mirth and good humour. The parley afforded time at least for cooling and diversion from the cause of irritation; but if the onset were once made, I cannot remember an instance in which our young friend turned his back upon the foe, whether he was destined at last to be crowned victor, or to yield in defeat. There was also a manly robustness of intellect seldom seen in boyhood-perseverance, which a feeble discerner might term obstinacy, a high sense of honour, and an independence of spirit and action which humbled itself only before lawful authority. He was valiant as Cæsar. He set great value upon reason and justice, and thinking they ever should prevail, he always seemed to believe they would if properly enforced. One instance, and but one is recollected, in which he was the subject of corporal chastisement in the academy. It was inflicted by Mr. E., a tutor, who was an exceeding good scholar, but a most unamiable man. There had been some disorderly conduct, and Hobart was charged as being a party to it. He replied with coolness and respectfulness, 'I had nothing to do with it.' Such was the fact. Who made the noise then?' inquired the angry tutor. I did not,' answered the accused. Punishment followed for his refusal to inculpate others. There was profound silence-he submitted. And I remember the stateliness with which he returned to his place, while a buzz of applause sounded through the room: the triumph was his, while the defeat was E.'s, who was shortly after dismissed. His powers as a declaimer were considered on all hands as very remarkable; yet in this he would be his own teacher, and have his own way, which was some

what peculiar. One of his favourite speeches was the popular speech of Cassius on the ambition of Julius Cesar. He had studied it well, and gave it with admirable effect; but there was one line, in which though never failing to produce ill-timed smiles, and sometimes laughter among the other dramatis personæ, he ever persisted in perpetrating the same ludicrous fault.'

Such a character was one for love as well as praise; and he seems accordingly to have gained both, equally from companions and teachers. Among the trustees also there was one who watched with peculiar interest over the fatherless boy, the present venerable Bishop White; who may with peculiar propriety be termed his spiritual parent, his apostolic hands having successively baptized, confirmed, ordained, and consecrated him; and last of all mourned over him as a father mourns over a beloved son.

In this academy his active social spirit soon found materials to work with. He organized while but in his tenth year an association among the boys, under the lofty title of A Society for the Advancement of its Members in Useful Literature,' of which Lilliputian club, as but two records remain, the reader may be curious to see them. The first involved a nice question of law; Mr. W. being called upon for an essay, delivers an argument instead, justifying his non-preparation by the plea that his turn was past, a quorum not appearing at the preceding meeting. The brief of this youthful apologist is remitted to his friend Hobart with the following endorsement: 'Mr. W.'s compliments to Mr. H., and would be obliged to him, if after adding any arguments to the within, he would show it to Mr. B., &c. Thursday, 25th April, 1785.' The other document exhibits the care with which their scanty treasury was guarded; it consists of a bill against the society for three quarters of a yard of green baize, used in covering the speaker's desk, together with lock and hinges for the same, amounting in the whole to four shillings and nine-pence. This account, after being examined and signed by an auditing committee, as war

rant for its accuracy, stands finally endorsed by the president with an order on the treasurer 'to pay the same out of moneys not otherwise appropriated, belonging to the society.' With so well-guarded a treasury, this society escaped one frequent cause of ruin: it could not guard, however, against a more fatal blow, the early removal of its founder to another and higher school, where, however, the association seems to have re-appeared under a new though less imposing title.

Among other childish records preserved by a mother's care of this early period, is the following letter, evincing at least two good traits in a school-boy,-love of books, and filial submission.

According to my promise, I attempt writing to my dear Mamma, knowing that it will give her pleasure to hear from me. I got to town safe on Friday, at about four, to my great joy, as the cold was very intense. If my dear mother recollects I bought some time ago, Elegant Extracts in Prose, I have since I came to town taken out of the library Elegant Extracts in Verse, and find it abounds with so many pieces proper for speaking, that I cannot avoid asking my dear Mamma's permission to buy it. I cannot get it out of the library again, as it is a book so much sought after, that if I had not gone to the library the first day of its opening, I should not have got it. Even if I could, would be necessary for me to take it to school, where it would, perhaps, meet with abuse; and as the Extracts which I now have are not so valuable without the other, I hope you will consent to my buying it: sister Becky can give testimony to its merit.'

it

Such a coaxing petitioner was not, it seems, easily refused, and his next letter thus commences; 'I have just time to inform my dear Mamma that I am too sensible of her kindness in permitting me to buy Elegant Extracts,' ever to exact any thing from her again.'

From the Episcopal academy he was removed in due course of advance, as already hinted at, to the University of Pennsylvania. The same pre-eminence in his studies

here also awaited him, for his academic virtues rested on no sandy foundation. Busy he would have been at any rate, because by nature he hated idleness! but that he was busy in good things, was a matter not so much of nature as principle, and he used well his opportunities of improvement, because he felt that he must render an account of them. How early such conscientious impressions may become rooted in the mind of a child, it is not easy to say this at least we know, that it is the smallest of all seeds, and grows up, men know not how; but still it is easy, as here, to recognise its fruits, and every such instance becomes a valuable record, in order to encourage parents in the same course of watchful Christian guidance. In his fifteenth year, young Hobart gave evidence of his mind being made up on this point, and made a public profession of his religious faith, being confirmed by Bishop White, 31st March, 1790. Aided by good talents, and guided by such principles, we are not surprised to learn, that although the youngest in his class, he was yet considered one of its best and most promising scholars.' In study laborious, in all his duties faithful, in affections warm, in action prompt, and in speech sincere and earnest, 'he showed forth,' as has been observed by one of his early companions, the same ardent and active mind which was so fully developed in subsequent life.' How he appeared to strangers, is well given by one whom chance about this time made a friend. I first met with him,' says Mr. R., 'in the month of September, 1791, when he was about sixteen years of age. He had a short time before left the University of Pennsylvania, and it was decided by his family, and approved of by himself, that he should finish his collegiate education at Princeton. I then resided in the family of Robert Smith, of Philadelphia, who was married to a sister of Mr. Hobart. It was in this family that I became acquainted with him. I have at this time a distinct and lively recollection of our

d James Robertson, Esq. of Richmond, Virginia.