himself and with the world-he expired in the midst of his family and friends, on the 27th of November, 1839.

In his personal intercourse with the world, Mr. Ward was direct, almost to abruptness. Sincere and decided in his own views, he was impatient of circumlocution and indecision in others. He was a stickler for punctuality, not only as an act of politeness, but as economizing what he deemed. a precious possession-time.

Having early proposed to himself a particular aim in life, he never lost sight of it until success crowned his efforts. Of this singleness of purpose and unwavering determination, this anecdote is told by an elderly lady, still living that upon her questioning him, while yet a lad, as to what he meant to be, his immediate reply was, "I mean to be one of the first bankers in the United States."

In the intercourse with his family and friends, he was eminently confiding, generous, and tender. As son, brother, parent, and friend, he was not irreproachable merely, but admirable; and in all the relations of life, he exemplified and adorned the character of a good citizen, a humble Christian, and an honest man.

If we have not wholly failed in our sketch of such a character, it will not be without its moral and encouragement for others.

MATHEW CAREY.

THE characters of great and good men belong to mankind; and there is no duty more pleasant or useful, than that which seeks the recognition of their virtues, and stimulates in after life to the imitation of their example.

Few men have ever won a larger space in the public regards than Mathew Carey; and what constitutes that fact one of peculiar gratification to those who knew him best, few indeed were ever more deserving of public esteem. There is, then, an agreeable service that we may render unto ourselves, in studying aright, if possible, the points of his character which went to make him what he was.

Mr. Carey was born in Ireland, on the 28th of January, 1760. His father was a very worthy man, and by the prudent exercise of his trade, that of a baker, amassed a handsome fortune. In early life, he was not remarkable for any extraordinary exhibition of his intellectual powers; and his education, previous to his reaching the age of fifteen, was mostly confined to the branches of a common English course.* When, at that age, it became necessary to select a trade, his own inclination was decidedly in favor of that of a printer; and though he says his father was very much opposed to that avocation, he was finally able to overcome the aversion, and went as an apprentice to a

* Vide an Autobiographical Sketch, which he prepared not many years since, at the suggestion of a gentleman (Mr. Buckingham) who, like Mr. Carey, was the architect of his own fame, of the facts of which free use will be made in this sketch.

Mr. McDonnell, of Dublin, a printer and bookseller, who was tempted, being very poor, to take him, in consequence of the thirty guineas to be paid as apprentice-fee.

He represents himself to have been a voracious reader, previous to his entering with McDonnell; and, like Franklin, in early life, he had made friends with the keeper of a circulating library, who used to supply him clandestinely with books, as his father was opposed to his perusing the promiscuous works usually, at that early day, to be met with in such an establishment.

In consequence of what he always considered, in after life, the carelessness of his nurse, he was lame in one foot from the time he was a year old; and though he ever appeared to regard this as a great calamity, it was, no doubt, the means of securing him more studious habits in early life than he would otherwise have possessed, inasmuch as his infirmity seriously prevented his mingling in those athletic sports which generally take up a considerable portion of youthful days.

He states that his first essay as a writer was made when he was about the age of seventeen, and upon the subject of dueling. It was produced in consequence of a hostile meeting between a fellow-apprentice, and the apprentice of a bookseller named Wogan. The difficulty grew out of a personal altercation between the lads, which ended in blows. Wogan very improperly urged his apprentice to send a challenge to his opponent, which was accordingly presented, demanding a meeting in the Park on a certain day, and Wogan went out with his lad, and was the masterspirit of the whole affair. Mr. Carey regarded this as most exceptionable conduct on behalf of Wogan, and wrote a bitter denunciation of it in the Hibernia Journal, a paper owned in part by Mr. McDonnell. Young Carey became known as the author, and besides receiving a severe reprimand, his fellow-apprentice, a poor orphan, was finally

dismissed, to appease the temper of Wogan, at which Carey was deeply indignant.

The next production of which he gives account, was a pamphlet, written in 1779, in regard to the oppression of the Irish Catholics; and this, from its results, proved to be one of the most important events of his early career. It exhibits much of the ardency, patriotism, and love of liberty, which we shall see were, through life, leading traits in the character of the subject of this article. It bespeaks likewise a comprehensive survey of the great principles of universal freedom, which America had been, and was then, securing, not only for her own sons, but for the nations. that should follow her glorious example.

It will be pertinent to reprint, in this connection, a single paragraph, sent as the parachute of the obnoxious pamphlet.

"At a time when America, by a desperate effort, has nearly emancipated herself from slavery; when, laying aside ancient prejudices, a Catholic king becomes the avowed patron of Protestant freemen; when the tyranny of a British Parliament over Ireland, has been annihilated by the intrepid spirit of Irishmen; it is a most afflicting reflection, that you, my countrymen, the majority of that nation which has shaken off an unjust English yoke, remain still enchained by one infinitely more galling; that you are, through your own pusillanimity, daily insulted by impudent menacing advertisements from insignificant parts of the kingdom; that a few tyrannical bigots in Meath and Wexford, presume to take into their own hands the legislative and executive part of our government; and with a dictatorial power, prescribe laws to their fellowsubjects."

The advertisement of which this paragraph formed a part, produced much excitement; and, Parliament being in session, the Duke of Leinster brought it before the House of

Lords, and Sir Thomas Conelly before the House of Commons. It was denounced as treasonable and seditious, and quoted in proof of the rebellious views of the Roman Catholics. Unfortunately for the cause of truth and human liberty, there have always been found in poor Ireland cringing sycophants to government, who at all hazards would sustain the "powers that be." It was in this spirit that a body of Roman Catholics-possessing not a particle of that patriotism which accomplished the Irish insurrection of 1798, or the far nobler event of 1776, which declared "America a Nation of Freemen"-denounced the publication of young Carey, and offered a reward for the apprehension of its author. His father was greatly alarmedtook steps to have the pamphlet suppressed-and by the advice of his friends the son was secretly put on board a Holyhead packet and sent to France. There he was introduced to Dr. Franklin, "who had a small printing-office at Passy, a village near Paris, for the purpose of reprinting his dispatches from America, and other papers." He worked a while for the doctor, and afterward with Didot le jeune, on some English books, in the republication of which that printer was engaged. In about twelve months, the excitement having died away in his native country, young Carey returned home.

While in France, he was called upon by the Marquis de la Fayette, who was seeking information relative to the condition of Ireland, and we shall see that the great patriot and friend of American liberty did not forget the acquaintance, when he was subsequently in Philadelphia.

After his return to Dublin, by the assistance of his father, who had in the mean time purchased of McDonnell the balance of his son's apprenticeship, young Carey, being then twenty-two years of age, set up a paper called the Freeman's Journal. It was commenced in October, 1783, and is described by its editor "as enthusiastic and violent."