The reputation of being a great reader,' as the phrase is often applied, is a very undesirable distinction ; it is one, however, which Mr. Payson bore in common with thousands, who are not the wiser for their reading. His frequent resort to the college library was a theme of raillery with his fellow students; who, at one time, represented him as having a machine to turn over the having left off taking out

leaves;' and at another, as books, because he had read all the thousands in the alcoves of old Harvard.' Ridicule, in his case, was egregiously misapplied; for, says his constant companion in the study and in the dormitory, every thing he read, he made his own. He had the strongest and most tenacious memory I ever knew. It is truly astonishing with what rapidity he could read; how soon he could devour a large volume, and yet give the most particular and accurate account of its contents.' Testimonies of the same kind might be multiplied, and confirmed by many anecdotes which to a stranger would appear incredible, illustrating the power of this faculty, and the severity of those tests to which it has been subjected.

CHAPTER II.

Comprising a period of three years from the time of his leaving college.

He

MR. PAYSON graduated at Harvard University, at the commencement in 1803. Soon after leaving college, he was, on recommendation, particularly of Professors Tappan and Pearson, engaged to take charge of the Academy then recently established in Portland. continued in this office for three years, at the close of which he was, by the terms of his contract, at liberty to resign it. Of this liberty his new views of duty, at the time, disposed him to avail himself.

An employment which requires the daily repetition of nearly the same routine of duties, cannot be very prolific in incident, or very favourable to the developement of those qualities which attract the public eye. Nor is it an employment in which real worth is likely to be appreciated, except by a very few; though the subject of this memoir is not thought to have had any special cause of complaint, as to the estimation in which his services were held. He acquired and sustained a good reputation as an instructor; but from a man possessing his characteristics, something more would naturally be expected. He was certainly endued with a rare faculty for communicating knowledge, and with a power to awaken and call into action the mental energies of either youth or manhood. In the existing methods of education, however, there was much to obstruct the

exercise of this power. The instructor who should do much more than follow the order and manner of the text-books then in use, would probably have been regarded as an empiric; besides, the habits of society were then opposed, more than they have since been, to every thing which bore the appearance of innovation. His native diffidence also would have operated as a powerful restraint against venturing on any bold experiments in a sphere of action and duty, in which, judging from the character and attainments of many who have filled it, little improvement was to be expected.

At this period he was but a youth; and it is not to be supposed that he engaged in the business of instruction, or that he prosecuted it, with that all-absorbing interest and determination of purpose which distinguished his ministerial career. It is, to say the least, extremely doubtful, whether he had felt the influence of that principle which is indispensable to man's highest achievements,-doing all to the glory of God. As it was, he is remembered by surviving pupils with gratitude, respect, and even veneration. He has left, as will be seen, sufficient evidence of his deep solicitude for their moral and religious welfare, from the time at which he was comfortably assured of his own "acceptance in the Beloved."

It would seem, from some allusions in his sermons, as well as from hints derived from other sources, that, during the early part of his residence in Portland, he indulged himself in such amusements as were fashionable, or were considered reputable; and that too with a gust as exquisite as their most hearty devotees ;-but how frequently, or to what extent, the writer is ignorant. This practice, if it were more than occasional, would indicate a relish for social pleasures, in the usual sense of the expression, which did not long continue; for after his seriousness became habitual, he was averse to going

into company, even to a fault. He dreaded an invitation to a social party, though he had reason to expect nothing there directly offensive to religious feelings. But there were companions whose society he sought, and whose intercourse was so regulated as to subserve mutual improvement. They were select literary friends, some of them his classmates, whose fellowship was in a high degree intimate and endearing. With these he passed many pleasant and profitable hours, and cemented a friendship which continued till death, and which has been faithfully reciprocated by the surviving members of the little band, and continues to exhibit itself in unfeigned respect for his memory. The exercises of these meetings were not subjected to any very rigid and formal regulations, such as would have cramped the energies of the mind, or restrained even its wilder sallies. Mutual confidence was the bond of union, which no severity of retort or piquancy of raillery could tear asunder. Each brought forward the results of his reading or invention, and exercised his powers in discussion or free conversation; and by this "action of mind upon mind," the most brilliant flashes of wit were often struck, from one so fully charged and so quick at combination, as Payson's, to the no small entertainment of his companions. In these divum cœnæ, his contributions were the most coveted and exquisite part of the banquet.

But no distance, employment, or friendships, could weaken his attachment to the paternal home, or diminish the strength of his filial love. Some extracts from his letters will now be given, which, while they exhibit the son and the brother in the most amiable light, will serve also to illustrate some of his intellectual qualities. They are addressed to his "Ever dear and honoured Parents."

Portland, May 20, 1804.

'It is not the least among the distressing circumstances attending the late afflicting dispensation of Providence, that I am unable in person to share in your grief, or alleviate, by filial sympathy and affection, the keenness of your sorrow. I would fain attempt to afford you some consolation; but the only sources whence it can be derived, are already your own. I can only say for myself,—that it shall ever be my endeavour, that, so far as my exertions can avail, you shall not feel his loss; and that we, who remain, will strive to fill, by our increased duty, reverence, and affection, the cruel void thus made in your happiness.'

January 14, 1805.

'I congratulate you both on the welcome news, which my sister gave me, of your amended health and spirits. Mine I feel flow with double rapidity, since I received her letter. I witness, in fancy, the happiness of home, and long to participate and increase it; but for the present must be content with rejoicing alone. I cannot possibly plead guilty to the charge of not thinking of home, so often as home does of me.' On the contrary, I believe home has very little due on that score, if we consider the frequency, and not the value of the thoughts. But, my dear Parents, if a few of those thoughts could be embodied on paper, and sent me, how much more good would they do, and how much more pleasure would they communicate, than if they were to remain in their native place.

I am still without an assistant, and, as the number of students has been increased, my task is very laborious. However I shall soon be supplied.-Just now I was interrupted. It was my assistant. He is young and raw; but so much the better. He will not render me small by comparison.