study of the great models of ancient oratory. Besides his professional labors, he contributed largely to the periodical press, and by many essays acquired considerable reputation. He had also delivered orations before societies of different kinds, which were highly commended, and widely circulated. On one occasion he was very successful-the Fourth of July, 1810. The title of this production, was, "Liberty, Glory, and Union;" and at that day, as at this more distant period, it was well adapted to inspire the loftiest sentiments of patriotism. He justly considered, that no men ever possessed sterner principles, or a stronger love of freedom, than our Pilgrim ancestors, and their immediate descendants. Magna Charta, the great book of Liberty, they brought to this land as to an ark of safety, and transmitted it from generation to generation. They left their homes for freedom, crossed the wide ocean, and came among mountains, and forests, and savages; and sent up their prayers in the great temple of Nature, amid the roar of heaving waves, and whistling winds, with no covering but the outstretched heaven, and no protection from calamities and privations; yet they acquired a name and a glory in the wilderness. "Had the ocean," said Mr. Burges, "foundered their little bark, while bearing them over its stormy region; had the shores which received their weary and emaciated bodies, been whitened by their bones, rolled up by the waves, and mingled with the sea weed; or had the God of their fathers left them, poetry might have learned some fragments of the story, mingled them with fiction, and amused posterity with the piteous narrative." But, the vessel did not perish-the Pilgrims were not buried in the deep sea-the God of their fathers did not forsake them. The country they visited, has become a monarch among the nations. It is the land of freedom, intelligence and religion; it is the birth place of Adams and Henry; the resting place of Washington and Franklin.

We rejoice that the memory of the Puritans, is held in such reverence by their descendants. To them, we owe the possession of a delightful country; institutions founded in wisdom, and reared under the protecting wing of religion; habits, strong in virtue; principles, regulated by the reciprocal influence of piety, example, and a common interest. A nation ought never to forget its founders or benefactors. Posterity enjoys their labors. Wherever a monument is raised by their wisdom, inscribed by their own hands, that inscription should be written deep on the hearts of their children. For, be it remembered, such monuments are the work of time, and should be preserved, until

"The dreadful trumpet, sounds the general doom."

At the session of the General Assembly of Rhode-Island, in 1811, Mr. Burges took his seat as a Representative from the town of Providence. In the following August, he was reelected, but the calls of his profession, united with the peculiar state of parties at that time, obliged him to retire from the Legislature. From this period until the year 1815, he pursued with his wonted enthusiasm the practise of Law. In the month of May, of that year, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, to succeed Mr. Burrill, who had been elected a Senator in the Congress of the United States. This tribute to his integrity and learning was the more acceptable, on account of the peculiar circumstances under which the appointment was made. Mr. Burrill, as we have already remarked, was the most eminent lawyer in the State, and few men ever discharged judicial duties with such rare ability. The people felt a commendable pride in the Supreme Court, in its promptness and legal acquisitions. The selection of Mr. Burges for that high and responsible office, under such circumstances, was, as we have intimated, a signal mark of distinction. In the discharge of its multiplied duties he was learned, prompt, courteous; commanding respect by his talents, and adorning the juridical annals of the State. This office, however, he held but one year; for the party to which he had been opposed gained the ascendancy, and deprived the State of his most valuable services; affording a striking illustration, of the folly and insecurity of annual appointments of judges.

He immediately resumed his practise, and year after year added to his fame as an advocate. Meantime a growing interest in the science of Oratory and the Belles Lettres studies was

felt among the friends and patrons of Brown University. The instruction was not of that valuable and practical kind which was required, and the Corporation were solicitous for the appointment of a gentleman, who would not only perfect the students in those elegant accomplishments, but also confer distinction upon the University. Mr. Burges was popular as an orator and writer, and known to be devoted to these sciences in all their branches. Accordingly, he was selected as Professor of Oratory and Belles Lettres, in that ancient Institution. The duties of the Professorship he performed with an enthusiasm worthy of all praise. During the entire period of his services, the improvement was such that the Commencement exercises were reputed to be superior to those of any University in our country. The lectures which he delivered were extemporaneous, and were fine specimens of the art which he was teaching. His election to Congress, and a law enacted by the Corporation, obliged him to abandon the Professorship, after having devoted several years to its duties.

It may have been understood from a preceding part of our narrative, that Mr. Burges belonged to what was denominated the Federal Party. When he was yet young in life, and even to the time of his appointment as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, that party was in the ascendancy in Rhode-Island. Subsequently, it was in the minority, and its members deprived of all honors and emoluments. The friends of Mr. Burges desired to see him in the Congress of the United States, that his acknowledged abilities might be exerted in a wider sphere, and the fame which he had acquired at home, become more generally known. But they could not with any confidence of success, solicit the suffrages of the people, on account of the spirit of partizanship. Prejudices which had survived for a long period, began to abate, and the attention of many was directed to Mr. Burges, as eminently qualified to discharge the duties of a Representative in Congress. Objections and fears, however, still existed. Previous to 1825, no opposition was made to Mr. Eddy, who had been for many years a member of Congress. Indeed it was deemed useless to oppose him; because he was so extensively known and esteemed among the people of RhodeIsland. In July, however, of that year, the personal friends of Mr. Burges resolved to nominate him as a candidate for Congress, against Mr. Eddy. A violent controversy arose, which was continued until the day of election. Every frivolous objection was urged against the claims of Mr. Burges; but he triumphed over all, and was chosen by a considerable majority.

In December, 1825, he first took his seat as a member of the House of Representatives of the United States. This honorable trust he accepted with a sense of deep responsibility. He was to appear before his fellow-citizens in a new, enlarged, and important sphere of duty and usefulness. He was to represent the interests of his own constituents, and to support measures conducive to the welfare of his country. He was surrounded too, by the talent, patriotism, and experience of statesmen, legislators, and politicians. The House of Representatives at that period exhibited a rare collection of eminent individuals. Webster' was there; and Sergeant, Livingston, and Everett.*

John Sergeant is reputed to be one of the most learned and accomplished constitutional lawyers in the United States.

Edward Livingston has been a distinguished citizen for many years. He removed from New-York to Louisiana, soon after the admission of the latter State into the Union, and was engaged in extensive and lucrative practice at the Bar. He was employed to form a penal code of laws and a code of prison discipline. The former is a monument of wisdom, justice, and mercy united. He is ranked among the eminent statesmen and learned jurists of the age.

4 Edward Everett is a remarkable man. In college he was noted for his refined taste and general scholarship. At the early age of eighteen he studied Divinity, and was settled over one of the largest and most intelligent congregations in the city of Boston. As a preacher, he was exceedingly popular; the house was thronged, to hear his elegant sermons, delivered in a captivating, graceful style of oratory. At the age of twenty-one, he was elected a Professor in Harvard University; which office he accepted, with the condition that he might visit Europe. Having travelled over the most interesting spots, particularly Greece and Rome, he returned with his mind richly stored, and com

It was no common effort to meet such men in debate, in the contests of patriotism, and in all measures to promote the national weal. Mr. Burges was conscious that great obstacles were to be surmounted, that perseverance, industry, and ambition must be actively exercised in that extensive field of intellectual trial. No man of limited capacity can excel in the Congress of the United States. To be great there, he must possess the true elements of greatness. He must love his country, be familiar with its institutions, its laws, its diversified relations. He must know the policy of other governments, the nice points about which they may dispute, and possess a union of moral, political, and intellectual power, which will arm him against opposition; provide him with resources to meet the subtle reasonings of sophistry, and enable him to plead with a strong voice, for the rights, liberty, and future glory of his country.

A few weeks after Congress assembled, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives, proposing that the Supreme Court of the United States "shall hereafter consist of a Chief Justice, and nine associate Justices; and if necessary, three additional associate Justices. That the seventh Judicial Circuit of the United States shall hereafter consist of the districts of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois; the eighth Circuit, of the district of Kentucky and Missouri; the ninth Circuit, of the district of Tennessee and Alabama; and the tenth Circuit, of the district of Louisiana and Mississippi." So much of any act or acts of Congress vesting in the District Courts of the United States, in the districts of Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Alabama,

menced the duties of his Professorship. About this time, he assumed the responsibility of Editor of the North American Review; and by his intellectual efforts in that periodical, elevated the character of our literature. He has probably written and published a greater number of orations and addresses than any living individual. In 1825, he was chosen to represent the district of Middlesex, Massachusetts, in the Congress of the United States. In that sphere he is known for his accomplishments and integrity. Whenever he speaks he always commands attention, by his accurate statement of facts and principles, his harmonious sentences, and correct elocution. If men resembling him in character, participated more frequently in our public councils, they would be in higher repute for patriotism, learning, and virtue.