the largest I ever saw in a private house; it must contain five thousand volumes.

The most interesting object in it was a pile of quarto manuscripts, two feet high, which comprised, I was told, the first part of his Archæological Dictionary. The unfinished remainder, I understood, would occupy as many more, and require his unremitting attention for several years. All the books, amounting to six or seven hundred volumes, which he had consulted in the course of his labours, were neatly arranged in the middle of his library, on a separate stand of shelves.

From the windows of his library the Doctor has a prospect of some of his American trees, and of a beautiful green, surrounding a sheet of clear water; this is itself encompassed by a walk consisting of a double row of evergreens and tall trees, which, obstructing the view of every outward object, must peculiarly dispose the mind to abstract study.

I bade adieu to this charming retreat, and this worthy family, which reminded me sorrowfully of my distant home and friends, on the evening of the second day after I entered Epsom.'

The name of Boucher is familiar to American ears as connected with their own history; he was one of the most zealous preachers for the King, in the colonies of Virginia and Maryland, at the commencement of the revolutionary struggle, but he was also a good man and a sincere Christian. Being too bold to be awed into silence, and too influential to be allowed to speak, he was forcibly expelled, and driven to take refuge in England in 1776; and was there presented to the vicarage of Epsom, without solicitation, by one whose patronage may be taken as a warrant both for learning and piety, the Rev. John Parkhurst, author of the Lexicons, &c. The labours in which Mr. Mercer found Mr. Boucher engaged related to a Glossary of Provincial and Archæological Words,' soon afterward published, a labour for which he was peculiarly fitted, as being himself a native of the northern part of England where they most abound, being the remnants of the Danish and Pictish invasions of that part of the island.

A more interesting work, however, which he had at this time recently put forth, was a volume of 'Sermons as delivered by him to his Parishioners in America,' and dedicated to General Washington, whom he describes as once his neighbour and his friend.' The concluding page of his preface may here claim admittance as a pleasing exhibition of his own character, and a forcible appeal to the consciences of others, both those who preach and those who hear.

'If haply this volume should find its way into those distant regions where the greatest part of it was first produced, and there should be still living any of those old friends with whom, in old times, I formerly took sweet counsel together, I entreat them to remember me as one who loved them and their country, if not wisely, yet well. If it should be so fortunate as to fall into the hands of any of the inhabitants of the different parishes which I held in Virginia and Maryland, (many of whom once were my willing hearers, and, at the risk of more than blame, listened with a respectful attention to several of these very sermons,) I entreat their acceptance of them in their present form. I entreat them to consider this book as the legacy of one who still bears it in mind, with pleasure and with pride, that he was once their faithful and favourite pastor. In this world we are severed to meet no more: but we may meet again, when, ere long, both they and I shall be called on to give account, (at a tribunal where passion and prejudice can have no place,) they, how they received instruction—and I, what instruction I communicated, and in what manner. GOD grant that neither they may have been unprofitable hearers— nor I, after having preached to others, myself be a castaway.'

In one trait of character he singularly resembled his youthful correspondent, the subject of the present biography; he was peculiarly the friend of youth, and whenever he discovered in a young man a desire to do well, he omitted no pains, spared no attention, and avoided no

labour to encouarge him, and enable him to run the career of virtue on the sound principles of religion. That he had the happy art also of winning their confidence, may be judged from the fact that the tablet raised to his memory, in the village church of Epsom, was a tribute of gratitude on their part, in acknowledgment of what they owed to his counsels and kindness. The political tone of it shows on which side of the Atlantic it was penned; it thus concludes :

His loyalty to his King remained unshaken, even When the madness of the people raged furiously against him; And, for conscience' sake,

He resigned ease and affluence in America, to endure hardships and poverty in his native land;

But the LORD gave him twice as much as he had before,
And blessed his latter end more than his beginning.

TO C. F. MERCER.

New-York, July 9th, 1803.

I can enter perfectly into the state of your feelings with respect to the English. You never were very partial to them, and the selfish pursuits and pleasures of a dissipated commercial metropolis are not well calculated to increase your respect for them.

In London you certainly see the English character at the worst. Among the genteel country families, I am told, it wears a very different and far more amiable aspect. The English are certainly not quick in their feelings-it is not easy to obtain a place in their hearts-they even view strangers with jealousy till they find them worthy of their esteem; but I have always supposed, that when a person once obtained a familiar footing with them, they would go great lengths to please him; and they certainly possess, above every other nation in the world, the means of doing so. It is one thing to possess those qualities that in an instant seize upon your affections; it is another, to possess those that preserve and increase permanent regard. The pride of the English may be inordinate and repulsive, but it is a pride that disdains affectation, that scorns to use the easy coin of professions; that refuses to take to the bosom every person whom they see, at the very instant that he makes his appearance among them. Scrutinizing

and suspicious, they weigh character, and then extend regard in proportion to merit. I am persuaded that, were you thrown out of those selfish and cunning circles in which business now leads you to move, and to remain some time out of the metropolis, your amiable heart would find those on whom it would repose.

Did I wish to flirt away a few weeks, to awaken and gratify my volatile feelings, I would visit France. Did I wish to obtain permanent enjoyment, to expand my mind where the most noble principles, the most useful pursuits, and the most solid virtues have flourished for centuries, I would take up my abode in England.'

The following letters are to another college friend, his 'dear Tom,' one still nearer to his affections, and destined to be to him, in after-life, the source at once of the greatest comfort and the deepest living sorrow. They are of successive years, but are given in connection that the reader may better judge of the warmth and value of such a friend.

TO THOMAS Y. HOW, ESQ.

'New-York, July 9, 1803.

How can my dear Tom suppose that I am not interested with his letters. I cannot express to you the high pleasure I feel at the increasing power which religion appears to obtain over your mind, and at the satisfaction you receive from your theological studies. This satisfaction will increase the further you advance in them; and should you be led to devote yourself to the noblest office, the dispenser of salvation from God to a guilty world, with the most exalted emotions I would press you to my bosom as a brother by the most sacred and endearing ties.

The study of theology possesses an advantage which no other study possesses, of at once strengthening and expanding the mind, and elevating the heart by the most exalted dispositions and hopes. At any time a person of your talents could be of inestimable service in this profession. But in the present degenerate age-in the present loose state of principles and morals in our own country -in the present state of the Episcopal Church-I should consider

your entering on the ministry as a presage of incalculable good. My apprehensions are, that with the removal of those afflictions, which, from their fruits hitherto you should consider as your greatest blessings, your present pious desires and views will be chilled by the corrupting influence of worldly manners. I trust, however, you deeply feel that religion in its vital power and hopes is truly the one thing needful, and next to my own prayers to GOD for you, I must entreat you to cherish with sacred solicitude your pious impressions, and to hold that habitual intercourse with GOD that will prove your only safeguard.

In any thing and in every thing that does not expose my ministerial character to suspicion or censure, my dear Tom may always command me. My duty there, however, is paramount to all others.

I have received letters from Mercer. He had returned to London enamoured with Paris, at least with many of the people there. He does not appear to love the English.

Mrs. Hobart is well, and sends her affectionate remembrance. Your ever affectionate,

J. H. HOBART.'

TO THOMAS Y. HOW, ESQ.

'New-York, May 1, 1805.

My dear How,

I have been for some time wishing to write, but have been at a loss where to direct to you, until Wisner informed me that you were at present in Albany. Would to God, my beloved friend, that I could pour the healing balm of comfort into your heart.

Mysterious, my dear Tom, are the ways of Heaven; and yet how often do we trace in them the designs of goodness and mercy. Affliction has been to you, indeed, a useful school. It has prostrated that inordinate worldly ambition that would have led you on to fame and honour, but, perhaps, not to virtue and happiness. It has directed your ambition to its only legitimate and exalted object, the salvation of your soul and the attainment of the favour of Him who is finally to be our everlasting judge. May he bless you, my friend, with the soothing influences of his mercy; may he keep alive in your soul the flame of piety that his blessed