the Spaniards, if not wholly subdued, was held in wholesome check. The mildness and general salubrity of the climate, the fertility of the soil, and the liberal terms upon which lands were obtained, allured thither numerous emigrants. Settlements began to extend along the line of all the great rivers. Hitherto, from dread of the Indians, they had been kept within convenient proximity to the coast. The habitations of the country people, from increasing means, and a sense of security, began to exhibit evidences of taste and comfort. Charleston, with its five or six hundred ill-constructed houses, (mostly built of timber,) was gradually improved by the introduction of a better style of architecture.

Ireland contributed largely to the population of the now flourishing colony. Great numbers came over in the years 1734 and '35. Williamsburg was founded by them in the former year. Among the natives of that country who sought their fortunes in the fresher clime

Spaniards, between whom and the colonists existed mutual suspicion and animosity. By trafficking with them too, the obnoxious restrictions, imposed by the acts of navigation, were successfully evaded. Commercial restrictions, framed upon an unjust and oppressive basis, will be more or less counteracted by smuggling. But latterly a change had been wrought in the sentiments of the people. The pirates no longer confined their operations to the Spanish commerce. No vessel whatever was safe in those seas. Their numbers multiplied, and their ferocity increased. Bonnet and Worley, from their station at the mouth of Cape Fear river, kept the adjacent coast in continual alarm. Robert Johnson, a son of Sir Nicholas, and the last of the Proprietary Governors, made vigorous exertions to extirpate these bold marauders. The success that attended his efforts added materially to his popularity in the colony. The expeditions under Johnson and Rhett broke up the haunts of the pirates. The ships of war sent out by the government were therefore mainly useful, as they served to deter or repress their occasional incursions. To the honor of the Proprietaries, it must be said, that if they did not effectually suppress piracy within the limits of their government, it was neither owing to want of inclination nor the employment of such means as they could command.

of the new world, were two brothers, John and Andrew Rutledge, who arrived in Charleston about the year 1735.

John was a physician, and established himself in that city. Of his history we know little. He practised his profession with considerable success for several years; but shortly after his marriage, which occurred in December, 1738, he abandoned the service of Esculapius, and resigned himself to the superior charms of uninterrupted domestic life. He died in the year 1749.

The maiden name of his wife was Sarah Hext. All accounts concur in speaking her praise. Nature bestowed upon her liberal endowments, and her gifts were improved and cultivated by education. She was distinguished for fortitude and wisdom. Her manners were good and her temper amiable. We often meet with persons of religious feelings, but devoid of religious principles. Their piety, such as it is, does not animate their conduct, and sway their actions. The religion of Mrs. Rutledge was of a higher strain, and more pervasive character. It was a part of her being. It shone conspicuously forth in the habitual performance of all her duties. She was a woman, too, of spirit, and devoted patriotism. In the Revolution, when Charleston was in possession of the enemy, the commandant ordered her to be removed from her country residence, and confined within the limits of the town. The reason assigned for this apparent harshness was, that from such a woman much was to be apprehended. The indirect praise of an enemy speaks a more forcible language than the partial eulogy of a friend. It neither proceeds from the suggestions of interest nor the blindness of affection. It is extorted by the virtues of its object.

A mother at fifteen, and a widow at twenty-six, with seven small children to protect and educate, Mrs. Rutledge atoned for the want of experience by a sound and VOL. I.-28

discriminating judgment. She had brought her husband what, in those days, was considered a large estate; but prudence was not his characteristic virtue, and at his death his means were found to be much impaired and wasted. Mrs. Rutledge, however, appears to have been endowed with a happy administrative talent, which enabled her to encounter, successfully, the various difficulties of her situation. She knew and appreciated too well the rich advantages of education, 'to choke up the days' of her children with barbarous ignorance.' She practised uncommon self-denial and economy to place those advantages within their reach. And if they afterwards rendered important and honorable service to their country, her self-sacrificing spirit, and judicious training, must share the praise and distinction. For next in order and value to a happy constitution of mind, is a proper discipline, and direction of its powers. And for the latter, the children of Mrs. Rutledge were indebted to their mother.

This excellent woman, whose character we have thus briefly delineated, died at Charleston in 1792.

CHAPTER II.

HIS BIRTH AND EDUCATION.

1739-1761.

JOHN RUTLEDGE, the second Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, and a distinguished character of our Revolutionary History, was the eldest child of John and Sarah Rutledge, of whom we have given a brief sketch in the preceding chapter. He was born at Charleston in September, 1739. Of his early years we have been able to collect but few particulars. "The childhood shows the man, as morning shows the day.' But it is only an observant and discriminating eye that discovers a child's genuine traits and characteristics. The thousand and one anecdotes of the childhood of distinguished men which we find gravely related in books of biography, as certain indications of future eminence, are more frequently evidence of the puerility of the author, than the genius of the child. To the 'wonder-waiting eyes' of parents, the most trifling acts of their children assume an air of importance. They witness all the steps of the process, and at each advance in the rapid unfolding of the infantile mind, they are apt to discover, or think they discover, something extraordinary. A few years rectifies their judgment. Their prognostics are seldom justified by the event; and the prodigy of childhood, who was to shine the boast and wonder of mankind, sinks to the common level, and is heard of no more.

His early education was conducted by his father. After his death, and at the age of eleven, he was placed under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Andrews, an English clergyman, who lived in Christ Church Parish. He was a man of superior attainments. Doubtless, to supply the deficiencies of a scanty salary, he received a small number of boys into his family, and thus exercised a superintending control over their morals, as well as education.

Young Rutledge remained with Mr. Andrews, pursuing his classical and other studies, several years. He was a favorite pupil of his teacher. Tradition says that Mr. Andrews was greatly pleased with him, for he was not only an apt and studious scholar, but in all his conduct upright and conscientious. On leaving Mr. Andrews, he attended, for a short time, the school of David Rhind, whom Dr. Ramsay describes, as an excellent classical scholar; but the family of Rutledge, I am informed, never spoke of Rhind's instructions, as among his advan tages.

1

In the summer of 1755, and a few months before arriving at the age of seventeen, he left school, and entered upon the study of his future profession. Although much culture is indispensable to the development of the intellectual powers, and to the refinement of taste, this culture may be applied, without the knowledge of a great variety of languages, and without any deep insight into science. No Greek knew any language but that which he learned from his nurse; and Shakspeare could not have gone through an examination as hard as that of many modern parish schools. Far be it from me to discourage the acquisition of classical and scientific lore: this is delightful in itself, and it gives the best chance of success in every liberal pursuit ; but where true genius Ramsay's History of South Carolina, vol. ii., p. 510.

2 It has been erroneously stated that he was sent to England to pursue his preliminary studies.