tated, he would spend the interval in conversing with his family or his friends, without the least embarrassment, delay, or confusion of thought. His mind took such firm hold of the subject, which principally occupied it, that no ordinary force could separate it from its grasp. He was always conscious of the exact progress, which he had made in every subject. When company, or any other occurrence, compelled him to break off suddenly; it would sometimes happen, that he did not return to his employment until after the expiration of several days. On resuming his labours, all he required of his amanuensis was to read the last word, or clause, that had been written; and he instantly would proceed to dictate, as if no interruption had occurred. In several instances he was compelled to dictate a letter, at the same time that he was dictating a sermon. In one, a pressing necessity obliged him to dictate three letters at the same time. He did so. Each amanuensis was fully occupied; and the letters needed no correction but pointing.

A single fact will exhibit in a striking light the comprehension of his mind, and the admirable method of its operations. The reader is requested to examine the “ Analysis," at the close of this Memoir, and to observe how extensive, and yet how logical, is the plan of his Lectures. This Analysis was formed from the Lectures themselves, since his decease. He wrote no plan of them himself; but, in completing them, relied exclusively on the scheme of thought, which existed in his own mind. We have rarely seen any work, even of much less extent, unless some treatise on Mathematical or Physical Science, in which the perfection of mathematical arrangement is so nearly attained. It ought to be added, that the following volumes are published as

they were dictated to the amanuensis; with almost no corrections except those which were owing to the mistakes of the penman, or the illegibility of his hand.

To conceive, to invent, to reason, was in such a sense instinctive, that neither employment appeared to fatigue or exhaust him. After severe and steady labour, his mind was as prepared for any species of exertion, as if it had done nothing: for the activity and sprightliness of conversation; for the closer confinement of investigation; or for the excursive range of poetry. Almost all his poetry, written subsequently to the age of twenty-three, was dictated to an amanuensis, after the unintermitted application of the day. Not unfrequently, in an autumnal or winter evening, would he compose from fifty to sixty lines in this manner. The first part of his "Genius and Common Sense" is in the Stanza of "The Faery Queene," the most difficult stanza in English Poetry. Repeatedly has he been known to dictate four of these stanzas, or forty-four lines, in the course of such an evening; and chiefly without any subsequent corrections.

The earliest of his poetical productions, that has been preserved, though written at the age of fifteen, bears the characteristic marks, both in style and thought, of his later and more mature compositions. While he was connected with the College, either as a student or a tutor, he wrote and published several small poems on various subjects, which were very favourably received at the time, and are still admired for sweetness of versification, as well as for delicacy, and purity of sentiment.

The early age at which he wrote the Conquest of Canaan is to be remembered in forming our estimate of the poem. It is not believed, that the history of

English poetry contains the account of any equal effort, made at so early an age. The subject of the poem has been objected to, as not sufficiently interesting to render such a performance popular with the great body of readers. At the time of its publication, there was undoubtedly some ground for this remark. It was published a short time after the peace of 1783: a period unhappily characterized by an extensive prevalence of Infidelity, as well as of loose sentiments with regard to morals. In this state of things, no poem, founded on a Scriptural story, however meritorious in itself, however happy its plan, or brilliant its imagery, or interesting its incidents, or distinct its characters, or noble its sentiments; could fail to be in a degree unpopular; especially if breathing the purest morality, and the most exalted piety. Had its appearance been postponed to a period within the last fifteen years, during which time, infidelity has given place to a reverence for the Bible, and a general regard for the doctrines which it contains; there is little reason to doubt, that its reception would have been still more flattering to the author, and more just to its own merit as a work of genius. The Conquest of Canaan contains abundant evidence of rich invention, of harmonious versification, of a brilliant fancy, of strong powers of description, of a sublime imagination, of vigorous thought, and of the most pure and virtuous sentiment.

In addition to his attainments in classical learning, and the sciences in general, President Dwight had acquired a vast fund of information on almost all the concerns of human life. His acquaintance with books was extensive; comprising not only those appropriate to his profession as a Minister, and his office as President of the College, but on all important and interesting subjects. He was thoroughly read in ancient

and modern history, geography, biography, and travels. Few works of this description, especially those of the two last classes, escaped his attention. With the pursuits of agriculture, he was practically as well as theoretically conversant. In the cultivation of his garden he took peculiar pleasure, and displayed an uncommon degree of skill and science. Of his extensive knowledge on these subjects, his poem called "Greenfield Hill" affords satisfactory evidence. One part of that work, entitled "the Farmer's Advice to the Villagers," contains a body of information, and of sound advice, addressed to that valuable class of men, of the utmost practical utility. In truth, it is difficult to name a subject of any considerable importance, connected with the common pursuits of men in the business of life, which he had not made the subject of accurate observation and close thought; on which he had not collected many valuable facts; or about which he was not able to communicate much that was interesting and useful.

It has been seen, that a large proportion of President Dwight's life was devoted to the instruction of youth. From the age of seventeen to sixty-four, he was scarcely ever entirely disengaged from that employment; and there were not more than two years of that period, in which he did not pursue it as his constant business. His first effort afforded a sure promise of that high degree of excellence, in this interesting employment, to which he afterwards attained. In the course of his life, he assisted in educating between two and three thousand persons.

In the great change produced in the College, during his tutorship, by his efforts and those of his associates, his own exertions were of primary importance. He continued much longer in the office of tutor than they did, and, of course, had a greater

opportunity to execute the plans for improvement which they had jointly devised, and put in operation.

It was unquestionably a fortunate circumstance for him, when he entered upon the presidency, that the public had full confidence in his capacity to fulfil its duties. It is, however, to be remembered, that this confidence was not, in any measure, founded upon mere expectation, or calculation. It rested upon a thorough acquaintance with his experience and success in the arduous and difficult business of instruction. The possession of this confidence enabled him to commence his labours in the institution according to his own ideas of usefulness and practicability; and to adopt such a course of measures as the exigency of the case required. And to his independence and energy, his industry and devotion to his duty, is the College eminently indebted for the high character to which it was elevated, amidst all its difficulties, and embarrassments, at the time of his accession, and during his continuance in the office

One of his most important qualifications as the head of such an institution was an intimate knowledge of the character and feelings of young men, which, by long observation, he had acquired. The possession of this knowledge, so indispensably necessary, and yet so rarely to be met with, enabled him to direct his efforts, in the administration of the government, and the application of discipline, in the most judicious and efficacious manner, to accomplish the objects in view. Those objects were, the peace and reputation of the College, and the character and highest interests of the students. Having adopted a system, which was, in its nature and tendency, parental, he watched over the conduct and welfare of his academical children with affection and solicitude. So successful was he in the application of