through with them in the same state; frequently, however, adding to their number, and altering their arrangement.

In 1805, when he was permanently appointed Professor of Theology, the Corporation allowed him fifty pounds per annum to employ an amanuensis. Though the compensation was trifling, yet the place was coveted, and regularly applied for, a length of time before it became vacant. He began immediately to write out these Lectures; and wrote one a week during term time, or forty a year until they were completed. If not prevented, he commenced this task on Monday morning. His progress depended, with the exception of casual interruptions, on the rapidity of the amanuensis; which always fell short of the rapidity with which he dictated. Sometimes, though rarely, the sermon was finished in a single day; usually in the course of the second day. The remainder of the week was employed in writing his Travels, and Occasional Sermons. When interrupted by company, if propriety did not forbid, he would proceed with two trains of thought by the hour together; conversing with the company, and also dictating to the amanuensis.

By a standing rule of the College, the President annually delivers a valedictory sermon, on the Sabbath preceding the Commencement, to the candidates for the Bachelor's degree. Perhaps no part of his clerical labours excited more public attention, or were listened to with a livelier interest, than the sermons delivered on these occasions.

In the year 1797, he was applied to by the General Association of Connecticut to revise Dr. Watts' version of the Psalms; to versify such as he had omitted; and to make a selection of Hymns suited to the general purposes of public worship. The work was completed in 1800, and laid before a joint committee of that body and of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; by whom it was approved, and recommended to the use of the Congrega tional and Presbyterian Churches throughout the United States. In the performance of this difficult task, he made alterations, of more or less consequence, in a considerable number of Dr. Watts' Psalms; and composed thirty-three entire psalms, containing about twelve hundred and fifty lines.

From the time he recovered his health, after the severe attack of colic already mentioned, he habituated himself to a steady course of vigorous bodily exercise. While at Greenfield, notwithstanding the multitude of his avocations, he walked, and rode on horseback, extensively; and constantly cultivated a large fruit and kitchen garden with his own hands. For this particular species of labour he had a high relish. His garden was distinguished for its beauty and its productiveness: for the excellence of its vegetables, the abundance and delicacy of its fruits, and the choice variety of its flowers. Nor did the habit cease with him after his removal to New-Haven. He there pursued the same course-making it his. constant practice, through the whole season for gardening, to work

26

Dee

of its officers.
tically so in the char
of the storm which
the means of def
kind, he derived t

his

LIFT

LIFE OF THE AUTHOR

adorenty morsing before breakfast. In other parts WISHES, Do other mode of exercise was convenient, he ress; de med much and daily; rode frequently; and often wond cut by irma On this subject he exhibited the strictest

energy; a tra

nent degree.
be surpassed.

At the comm
theology was v
in form, to the
none but an
nent. During

with almost r

ing an opp
Early in the

of a se

F

verserenace;

and both by precept and example

s the necessity of a similar course. rable degree, to the same object, in the year

on

horseback, or in a sulky, du

College vacations, particularly in May and September.

when he was erminated.

The practice be et the best ver that the rode.

Blo

through the remainder of his life, exseverely attacked by the disease In these various journeys, it is comthousand miles. His excursions

twenty about

experienced the highest gratification from the

red confined to the New-England states, and the state of beauties of scenery; and scarcely a spot can be named within these is where those beauties are to be found in high perfection,

very This was n extensive viewed it These le

forbad hi materials sist, and

T

ber. great in the vict they w the fac

visit

totes Of the most

only

and describe. For his own amusement, he material occurrences of his several journeys; them out, for the gratification of his family.

This suggested to him the idea of collecting materials, from time to time, for one or more volumes of travels; in which should be

comprised, not

an account of the climate, soil, mountains, ri

curiosities, and general face of the country over

vers scenery, which he passed, kieranere, and gious; and the

of us

but of the state of society, of manners, morals, religion; the institutions, civil, literary, and relicharacter of the governments and laws, of the

from bovementioned states. To the performance of this task he was that prompted by the very unfair and illiberal accounts, which are the country and its inhabitants. In his opinion, also, there something peculiar in the circumstances of this country, which would render its history interesting to the philosopher, the states

foreigners, who have done little else than caricature

gutta

asit apo ma

eye

his

to

and the Christian. These circumstances arose from the sinar character and romantic history of the aborigines; from the cent date of its settlement by civilized inhabitants; from the chater, views, and history, of its first settlers; from the advanceit had made in wealth, science, the arts; the character of its ment, laws, and institutions; and, in short, from its progress e great objects of a civilized and Christian community, in rse of a hundred and eighty years.

these journeys he visited great numbers of the most intelliand respectable inhabitants of those tracts of country over he travelled; and derived, from his conversation with them, at collection of facts relative to the general state of morals, ers, and religion. The information thus gained was arranged, ced to writing, and prepared for publication: the whole formmaterials for three octavo volumes. It is believed, by those

who have had an opportunity to examine the manuscripts, that no work has appeared which contains so much correct information concerning the subjects of which it treats, as this. It is also believed that, should it ever be published, it will have the effect of redeeming our national character from the abuse and calumnies which have been heaped upon it by foreign travellers.

These journeys also enabled him to form an acquaintance with great numbers of the clergy, and many other persons of a religious character, in the states through which he travelled; and to ascertain the moral and religious condition of the people. This information was of the highest moment to him, both as it respected his feelings and his pursuits. By these means, and by his extensive correspondence, he became possessed of more knowledge, general and local, of the religious state and interests of the country, than almost any other man; and, by the aid of this knowledge, he was able to originate, and still oftener to aid, the execution of very numerous and extensive schemes of charity and benevolence.

To enumerate the various literary, charitable, and pious institutions, which he was active in founding, or promoting, would be a laborious employment. Some of the principal ones may be men tioned. By his exertions and influence, aided by those of distin guished men around him, "THE CONNECTICUT ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES" was established. This was done in the year 1799; and the association was incorporated by the legislature of that state in October of the same year. One of the great objects in view was, to procure a Statistical Account of Connecticut. This he had much at heart, and flattered himself he should be able to accomplish. For this purpose, the Academy printed and distribu ted a list of inquiries to men of intelligence, throughout the state, and to encourage and stimulate others to assist in the execution of the plan. Notwithstanding the weakness of his eyes, he wrote the account of New-Haven at an early date, which the Academy afterwards published. Accounts of a few other towns were furnished by other gentlemen. But, as it proved less easy than he imagin ed, to obtain the performance of a task attended with some labour and no profit, the business languished in hands far less occupied than his own, and the principal object was never accomplished.

He was a zcalous promoter of the establishment, and the exertions, of the Missionary Society of Connecticut; an institution preeminent in this country for its zeal and success in the great cause for the promotion of which it was founded. To its funds, also, he was a liberal contributor-having devoted to their incrcase the profits of his edition of the psalms and hymns sold in that state. The amount of moneys received from this source, by the Society, exceeded one thousand dollars.

He was one of the projectors of the Society for Foreign Missions, established in the year 1809, at Boston, Massachusetts; and until his death was one of its active and influential officers.

at least an hour every morning before breakfast. In other parts of the year, he walked much and daily; rode frequently; and often in the winter, when no other mode of exercise was convenient, he would cut his firewood. On this subject he exhibited the strictest uniformity and perseverance; and both by precept and example inculcated upon his pupils the necessity of a similar course. With reference, in a considerable degree, to the same object, in the year 1796, he commenced journeying on horseback, or in a sulky, during the College vacations, particularly in May and September. This practice he continued through the remainder of his life, except the last year; when he was severely attacked by the disease by which it was terminated. In these various journeys, it is computed that he rode about twenty thousand miles. His excursions were chiefly confined to the New-England states, and the state of New-York. He experienced the highest gratification from the beauties of scenery; and scarcely a spot can be named within those limits, where those beauties are to be found in high perfection, which he did not visit and describe. For his own amusement, he took notes of the most material occurrences of his several journeys; and afterwards wrote them out, for the gratification of his family. This suggested to him the idea of collecting materials, from time to time, for one or more volumes of travels; in which should be comprised, not only an account of the climate, soil, mountains, rivers, scenery, curiosities, and general face of the country over which he passed, but of the state of society, of manners, morals, literature, and religion; the institutions, civil, literary, and religious; and the character of the governments and laws, of the abovementioned states. To the performance of this task he was greatly prompted by the very unfair and illiberal accounts, which are given of us by foreigners, who have done little else than caricature both the country and its inhabitants. In his opinion, also, there was something peculiar in the circumstances of this country, which would render its history interesting to the philosopher, the statesman, and the Christian. These circumstances arose from the singular character and romantic history of the aborigines; from the recent date of its settlement by civilized inhabitants; from the character, views, and history, of its first settlers; from the advancements it had made in wealth, science, the arts; the character of its government, laws, and institutions; and, in short, from its progress in all the great objects of a civilized and Christian community, in the course of a hundred and eighty years.

On these journeys he visited great numbers of the most intelligent and respectable inhabitants of those tracts of country over which he travelled; and derived, from his conversation with them, a great collection of facts relative to the general state of morals, manners, and religion. The information thus gained was arranged, reduced to writing, and prepared for publication: the whole forming materials for three octavo volumes. It is believed, by those

who have had an opportunity to examine the manuscripts, that no work has appeared which contains so much correct information concerning the subjects of which it treats, as this. It is also believed that, should it ever be published, it will have the effect of redeeming our national character from the abuse and calumnies which have been heaped upon it by foreign travellers.

These journeys also enabled him to form an acquaintance with great numbers of the clergy, and many other persons of a religious character, in the states through which he travelled; and to ascer tain the moral and religious condition of the people. This information was of the highest moment to him, both as it respected his feelings and his pursuits. By these means, and by his extensive correspondence, he became possessed of more knowledge, general and local, of the religious state and interests of the country, than almost any other man; and, by the aid of this knowledge, he was able to originate, and still oftener to aid, the execution of very numerous and extensive schemes of charity and benevolence.

To enumerate the various literary, charitable, and pious institutions, which he was active in founding, or promoting, would be a laborious employment. Some of the principal ones may be men tioned. By his exertions and influence, aided by those of distinguished men around him, "THE CONNECTICUT ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES" was established. This was done in the year 1799; and the association was incorporated by the legislature of that state in October of the same year. One of the great objects in view was, to procure a Statistical Account of Connecticut. This he had much at heart, and flattered himself he should be able to accomplish. For this purpose, the Academy printed and distributed a list of inquiries to men of intelligence, throughout the state, and to encourage and stimulate others to assist in the execution of the plan. Notwithstanding the weakness of his eyes, he wrote the account of New-Haven at an early date, which the Academy afterwards published. Accounts of a few other towns were furnished by other gentlemen. But, as it proved less easy than he imagined, to obtain the performance of a task attended with some labour and no profit, the business languished in hands far less occupied than his own, and the principal object was never accomplished.

pre

He was a zcalous promoter of the establishment, and the exertions, of the Missionary Society of Connecticut ; an institution eminent in this country for its zeal and success in the great cause for the promotion of which it was founded. To its funds, also, he was a liberal contributor-having devoted to their increase the profits of his edition of the psalms and hymns sold in that state. The amount of moneys received from this source, by the Society, exceeded one thousand dollars.

He was one of the projectors of the Society for Foreign Missions, established in the year 1809, at Boston, Massachusetts; and until his death was one of its active and influential officers.