who is exhibiting to our own senses the trophies of genius, the power of eloquence, the utility of philosophy, the beauties of poetry, the truths of government, and the triumphs of religion.The dying Roman said, "Virtue is but a name." It is indeed, no more, "if human breath can make or mar it.” And thus it is with the biography of a living man. It is of no higher use than fiction, and worthy only the name of fiction, if it fails to relate with accuracy and fidelity the achievements of mind, and of virtue, and then of their rewards. In this connection it may be read, and impart the best practical instruction; because, it is like "a strong, still, central fire," warming into beauty the products of genius and truth.

The peculiar position of our country is a reason why the lives and opinions of eminent men, should be collected in a form, calculated to disseminate their influence. We are often charged with national vanity and presumption, because we boast of republican institutions, and the freedom extended by them to every quarter of the Union. We do boast of that freedom. We wish that its animating spirit may be felt, as it has been elsewhere, so that every throne shall totter upon its base, every dynasty be destroyed, and the name of Liberty, inscribed on every national banner. The utility of our institutions, and the freedom which is our peculiar glory, cannot be more powerfully illustrated, than by a history of the lives, and a general expression of the opinions of men, who breathe the spirit of that liberty and labor to diffuse it every where. The world, if it chooses, can thus learn our history, and from it draw lessons of instruction. For, let it be remembered, the lives of such men, are a part of that history. They devise the measures, inculcate the opinions, advocate, explain, and give them the sanction of legislation. The course of public affairs, of popular feeling, is directed by them; and the nation participates in their glory.

This is its influence abroad. It has a stronger, and more lasting influence at home. Whatever affords American citizens correct knowledge of their country, its constitution, its prosperity, its great and diversified relations, its exhaustless resources, whatever writings or opinions have such a tendency, ought to be dis

seminated. Not one American can possess too much knowledge upon such interesting topics. They are the study of our wisest

statesmen.

There is another view of this subject. It has been intimated that this volume contains the story of one, who has risen by the force of his own exertions, to a place of honorable distinction.Here, then, is an example of the growth and progress of mind. The God of Nature had planted the germ, but it was a long time before it expanded and began to bear fruit. Whenever we meet the man who has moulded his fortunes amid the contentions of poverty and disappointment, let us mark that man, and draw useful lessons from his example. Besides, there is pleasure in contemplating character formed under such circumstances. We feel that it is not wealth alone, nor any outward condition, that makes the man. On the contrary, their general tendency is, to weaken the energies, and keep down that noble ambition, which has elevated the character of society, and given another proof of the controlling power of genius. It is well therefore, to learn the circumstances under which extraordinary faculties have been unfolded, the opinions cherished, the influence exerted; in fine, all which has formed the character of a distinguished citizen.

It is difficult however, to note all the peculiarities of the simplest character: much more difficult is it, to trace each step in the progress of an enlarged mind. Hence, if we succeed in recording the incidents of Mr. Burges's life, presenting the results of his labors in politics and literature, a rational curiosity may be gratified. Thus to hold converse with the living, is a delightful and useful employment. It seems to form a connecting link between knowledge and the desire to attain it, inspired by an eminent example.

To write the life of a man still mingling in the active scenes of political contention, is an extremely delicate task; while passion and prejudice have lost none of their influence over his contemporaries; and while his foibles still expose him to the rebuke and censure of the world. He cannot, like him who has passed from the stirring scenes of earth, sleep in undis

turbed repose. For the dead, the words of remembrance are a requiem, and on the tomb may be written an eulogy; and thither may we go to muse upon greatness. But not so with the living man. Opposition, indeed, may throw the subject into more bold and beautiful relief. But still he is viewed as through a glass, which magnifies, rather than softens the shades of his actions. In addition to this, the opinions he entertains, may be at variance with those of individuals, moving in the same sphere; and by them he will be judged less favorably, than by others, who accord with him in sentiment : -allusion also, to events and circumstances, to persons connected with him in various transactions, may, perhaps, be condemned. On the other hand, panegyric should have no place on the page which records the memorials of worth and intellect. The legitimate aim of biography is not answered, when good qualities are emblazoned, errors concealed, and the claims of its subject urged upon popular applause, when they are undeserving of such applause. If simplicity and fidelity are observed, then, every reader may judge of the virtues or defects, the beautiful colors, or the gloomy shades, which the picture may present.

The strict rules of biographical writing have not been regarded in this volume. If they had been, we should have omitted much which may contribute to its interest. The incidental thoughts scattered through its pages, the opinions, friendly or otherwise, of men and measures, the spirit of partizanship, all may command praise or censure. The book pretends merely, as before stated, to give a familiar sketch of Mr. Burges's life; so far as that is concerned, it must be interesting-because all that relates to the history, developement, and progress of mind, is interesting, and deserves to be made a subject of careful study. PART I.

CHAPTER I.

Mr. Burges's family and birth. His early habits and education.-His friends and companions. - Ships as a cooper on board a whaling vessel. The voy-. age is abandoned. Contemplates the study of Medicine.

TRISTAM BURGES was born in the First Parish of Rochester, in the county of Plymouth, (originally the colony, now called the old colony of Plymouth,) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on the 26th day of February, A. D. 1770. His father's name was John Burges; his mother's, Abigail.

In the autumn of 1775, Mr. Burges, the father of Tristam, entered the army as a lieutenant, intending to continue in the service until the end of the war. But in the winter of 1775, he was seized with a pleurisy, which terminated by an abscess in the side, of which he never entirely recovered. In the revolutionary war, he rendered considerable assistance to his country, by raising men and collecting clothing. By these means, his house became a kind of rendezvous; which brought his son Tristam into an intimacy with some of the brave men of that day. Mr. Burges died in November, 1792; leaving eight children-three sons and five daughters.

Tristam was the youngest of these sons. He began to live, when American Independence was the theme of general interest. The story of national oppression was repeated in his young ear, and the songs of his cradle were the songs of liberty. The first event which he remembers, was the alarm of the battle of Lexington. The next, was the return of his parent from the army, sick, and but just alive.

In the intervals of his agricultural pursuits, his father wrought in his mechanical occupation, as a cooper. He owned about one hundred and fifty acres of land, which his three sons assisted in cultivating in the summer, and in the winter they were employed in the shop. The land being very sterile, great industry was required to gain for the family a comfortable livelihood. The father could accomplish but little work; the whole family, however, and especially his mother, were constantly employed in some kind of labor. By diligence and frugality, sufficient money was accumulated to purchase another farm of seventy-five acres.

In those primitive times, education, both in its principles and practice, was extremely limited. Whoever acquired, what might be denominated in modern days, a common education, was a son of fortune. Schools were few, and not of the best kind, in the vicinity of Rochester; and Tristam never attended one, until he was about fifteen years old. In the long winter evenings, his eldest sister taught him to read. His father instructed him a little in writing, and imparted to him some knowledge of arithmetic. A sea captain, named Mathews, who married and settled in the neighborhood, gave him an insight into navigation; which was intended to subserve a useful purpose. He was passionately fond of these studies, and collected all the books he could find in relation to them. At the age of fifteen he went to the school of Master Bowlin, as he was familiarly called, about six weeks, to learn to write. This, in addition to his father's instruction, and what he himself afterwards learned, comprised all his knowledge in that valuable art. He attended the school of Hugh Montgomery, nearly six weeks more, when he was seventeen years old, and there studied the mathematics; and this was all the instruction he received, until he arrived at the age of twenty-one years. He had read however, every book that he could buy, beg, or borrow. In the evening, after the toils of the day, he used to take his book, and continue to read, often until the night was far spent.