inoculation. Greene's early life might well have fitted him to share in these prejudices, and listen to the timid suggestions of those who could see nothing more in this great discovery of science, than a rash opposition to the laws of nature. But he had already begun

to shake off the shackles of prejudice, and judge things by their nature and their results. Without a moment's hesitation he caused himself to be inoculated, and, passing through the regular stages of the disease, freed himself forever from all apprehensions of a scourge, which still continued to carry its ravages into every portion of the country. In reflecting upon this little incident, apparently so unimportant, except as a manifestation of character, one is almost tempted to say that some protecting spirit had whispered to him, that he too had been chosen for some great purpose in a higher and a nobler sphere.

But it was more particularly in his studies that he felt the advantage of his enlarging circle of acquaintance. The study of Watts's Logic, and Locke on the Understanding, was among the first fruits of his friendship with Murray and Stiles; and it was then that he laid the foundation of those habits of patient investigation, which so often excited the wonder and admiration of those, who were called to act

with him in his public career. As a reader, he seems to have acquired a facility in catching his author's meaning, which almost bore the appearance of instinct; and it has often been remarked, by those who knew him well, that no man could seize so readily upon all that was important in a book as General Greene.

CHAPTER II.

His Method of Life. - Engages in the Political Questions of the Time. -Chosen a Member of the General Assembly of Rhode Island. Studies the Military Art. His Marriage. Appointed Major-General of the Rhode Island Troops, raised in Consequence of the Battle of Lexington.

GREENE had now reached his twentieth year. By patient industry and unwavering perseverance, he had acquired a stock of knowledge which would have been remarkable in one, who had enjoyed both leisure and means for study. His little library, to which each hard-earned penny was devoted, had been gradually enlarging, until he could count several of the standard

classics among his treasures. The writings of Swift and his contemporaries had given him a clearer insight into the richness and vigor of his native language, although he would seem to have studied it with a neglect for grammar not a little remarkable in a friend of Lindley Murray. The extent and minuteness of his historical knowledge was a subject of astonishment to many well qualified to judge of both; and when, a few years later, Ferguson's beautiful volume on the History of Civil Society appeared, he eagerly embraced those general views, which, by connecting the past with the present and the future, have raised history to the rank of a sure and positive science.

His method of life was regular and severe. A single cup of coffee or tea was his allowance for the morning, and one substantial meal sufficed for the rest of the day. He slept no more than was required to meet the wants of nature, and, although he often went late to his pillow, he was always up again by the dawn of day. In the more laborious duties of the forge and the farm he was never known to neglect his task, some favorite volume being still his companion for every interval of relaxation or repose.

With such habits and pursuits, it would scarcely be supposed that he could have re

tained his original passion for frolic and game. But the buoyant spirits which he had received from nature, though early subjected to control, never lost their original freshness. He was ever ready for a feat of strength or agility, and almost always victor in the contest. He was an excellent mimic, and fond of displaying his skill. But his chief passion was dancing, and the pleasure was often purchased at the risk of a fall from the window, through which, when the watchful eyes of his father were closed in sleep, he would steal away to the scenes that he loved. It happened once, however, that something had excited his father's suspicion, and set him upon the watch. There was a great ball in the neighborhood to which young Greene had, as usual, been secretly invited. The dance continued till late in the night, and he was cautiously making his way homeward, when whom should he see but his father, with horsewhip in hand, patiently pacing to and fro beneath the window. Retreat would have been useless, for the door was locked, and there was no other way of getting into the house. He knew the inflexible severity of his father too well to dream of escape, for dancing, of all misdemeanors, was the most heinous in the eyes of a Quaker; and there was nothing to be done but submit to

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his punishment with the best grace he could. But, while he made up his mind to take his flogging patiently, he was resolved to suffer as little from it as possible; and accordingly, before he presented himself to the lash, he cautiously thrust under his clothes three or four shingles, from a pile that chanced to be lying near him, and then coolly advanced to meet his father.. The reception was just such as he was pre-. pared for, and the blows fell quick and heavy upon his corselet of shingles.

It has been said that this love of frolic yielded at last to the vigorous discipline of his parent; but this is a mistake. Many years after this, when on a visit to Block Island, to the family of the lady who subsequently became his wife, dancing and riding were his chief amusements; and there is still a person alive, who well remembers to have seen him in his house at Newport, after the close of the war, amusing himself by playing with his wife. the old game of Puss in the Corner.

A family misfortune, which occurred about his twentieth year, gave a new and important direction to his studies. His two brothers by the first marriage of his father dying, some difficult questions of property were started, which involved the family in a lawsuit. In order to relieve his father from a task so per