*joyed by each individual state, and which constitutes a distinguished excellence in the federal constitution." These instances illustrate the nature of her reflexions. Quotations might be easily multiplied to show, that she does not press the example of our ancestors into the service of any sect. She indeed informs us, that " in doctrinal points their "sentiments were strictly Calvinian." But she no where declares, that these are the only true doctrines. She no where exhibits our forefathers, as models of faith, though she often proposes their virtues, and especially their ardent attachment to christianity, as worthy our imitation.

As recurrence to the history of our country is attended with many obvious advantages, as it has not hitherto met the attention, which its importance demands, as it is of late becoming fashionable to pursue inquiries of this nature, and as such studies may be rendered highly beneficial to the young, we cordially recommend this little book to general attention. It may refresh the memory of persons in mature life with dates, facts, and events, which, without such aid, they might seek in vain. Our youth it will instruct in the leading topics of New England history, and direct them to sources, whence they may derive all necessary additional information.

The Life of SAMUEL JOHNSON D. D. the first president of King's College in New York &c. by THOMAS BRADBURY CHANDLER D. D. N. York, 1805, 12mo.

BIOGRAPHICAL memoirs are always interesting

and instructive. They "hold the mirror up to man.". They exhibit the genius, attainments, and principles of those, who have made themselves of consequence in the world. They show the springs, the motives, and the results of actions. They manifest the advantages of learning, the loveliness of virtue, and the deformity of vice; with their effects on the individual, and their influence on the community. And

thus they convey lessons, illustrated by example, and enforced by experience.

It is particularly pleasing to be admitted into the presence of the wise and worthy, to form an intimacy with them, and to accompany and converse with them in the various scenes of life. Yet, from not being contemporaries, or from being too distant in place, or too humble in condition, we may not have this privilege of personal acquaintance. We may how ever enjoy some of its pleasures, and gain some of its advantages by perusing the faithful narrative of the biographer.

Under these impressions we took up the volume, which introduced us to the venerable president Johnson; and it afforded us much information and pleasure. The memoirs were

prepared by Doctor. Chandler of Elizabeth-Town, New Jersey, before the late Revolution; but that event arrested their publication.

We are very glad that the manuscript was preserved, and is now printed; and, that our readers may anticipate the gratification, it will afford them, we shall make a few extracts and remarks.

"Dr. SAMUEL JOHNSON, the first president of King's College in New York, " was born at Guilford in Connecticut Oct.14 1696. His father Samuel and his "grandfather William were both persons of reputation, and successively "deacons of the church in that town, which was formed on the Congrega"tional plan, at that time almost universally received throughout the New "England colonies. His great grandfather Robert came from Kingston upon "Hull, in Yorkshire, and was one of the first settlers of New Haven, about "the year 1637. He was probably of the same family with Johnson, the as"sociate of Robert Brown, the father of the Brownists.

"Samuel Johnson, the subject of this memoir, was taught to read when very young by his grandfather, who was uncommonly fond of him, as he "appeared to be a child of a remarkably fine genius and disposition. Before " he was six years old, at which time his grandfather died, he was observed "to have an inquisitive turn, and to discover an eager curiosity to see and "learn all, that could be shown or taught him. At this early period, meet"ing with a book, in which there were some Hebrew words, he was impatiently desirous of knowing their meaning; but, to his great mortification, "he found none, who were able to inform him. He was only told, that "these words belonged to the language, that was used by Moses and the "Prophets, and in which the Old Testament was originally written. From "this time he became earnestly desirous of learning Hebrew; and after he "was acquainted with it, it afforded him peculiar pleasure through the whole "of his life. In consequence of such promising symptoms, his grandfather "proposed, that he should be educated in the college, then about to be erected in the colony."

Accordingly at the age of fourteen he entered the college, which was then at Saybrook.

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"Mr. Noyes, his first tutor at college, had some little knowledge of He "brew; and, as young Mr. Johnson, after keeping way with his class in the appointed academical course, had considerable time to spare, he devoted it "to Hebrew, which soon became his favorite study. He pursued his other "studies under the direction of Mr. Fisk, a tutor, whom he respected, and "took his degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1714."

In several succeeding pages are detailed particulars of the establishment and early state of the college in Connecticut. Its infancy exhibits traits of imbecility, at which its manhood now blushes.

On the 20th of March 1720 Mr. Johnson was set apart to the ministry, and supplied the parish at West Haven, "at "their earnest solicitations." This situation, being but four miles distant from the college, which had been lately enriched by a library of about eight hundred volumes, chiefly of modern authors of celebrity, sent over by Mr. Dummer, agent for the colony, was particularly grateful to him at a time, when his mind was expanding, and his thirst for improvement was most ardent.

Soon after, becoming dissatisfied with extempore prayers in public worship, where too often the spiritual pride and passions of the individual are suffered to blend with a service, intended as the general sentiment of the congregation towards the Deity, he formed a high opinion in favor of precomposed forms. In this he was confirmed by reading Archbishop King's discourse" of the inventions of men in the worship "of God." His early prejudices also against the liturgy of the church of England gradually subsided. His dislike to the independent or congregational form of church government increased; and he at last determined formally to resign his pastoral charge, and to take orders in the episcopal church. In this resolution he was joined by Mr. Cutler, the former pres ident of the college, and Mr. Brown, one of the tutors. They embarked for England November 5, landed December 15, and were ordained by Dr. Green, then bishop of Norwich and rector of St. Martins, in March 1723. Mr. Brown diVol. II. No. 3. Oo

ed in England of the small pox ; but Mr. Johnson and Mr. Cutler, having passed some months in the metropolis, visited the university at Oxford, and received the attention of the most eminent clergymen of the establishment, obtained letters of licence from Dr. Gibson, bishop of London, embarked for America July 26, and, after a pleasant passage, landed at Piscataqua, whence they directly proceeded to Boston. On the 4th of November 1723 Mr. Johnson arrived at his mission at Stratford, and was joyfully received by his little flock, then consisting of about thirty families of episcopalians, "and about "forty more in the neighbouring towns of Fairfield, Norwalk, Newtown, "Ripton, and West Haven ; at each of which places Mr. Johnson agreed to "officiate once every three months, but chiefly on week days. He was then "the only episcopal clergyman in the colony, and found himself on all sides "surrounded by bitter adversaries. He was generally considered and treated, "as a schismatic and apostate; and the people seemed to be resolved, by “ thwarting him, and rendering his situation uneasy, to drive him if possible "from the country. However he had prepared himself for such treatment, "and showed a steadiness and firmness of mind equal to the occasion. He "still preserved his wonted cheerfulness and benevolence of temper, and con"versed with those, who had been formerly his friends, when they gave him "an opportunity, with his usual frankness. At first they were suspicious and “shy of him; but at length, won by his courteous, prudent, and obliging be“haviour, many of them returned to their former good humor, and others a"bated much of their severity."

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September 26 1725 he married Mrs. Charity Nicoll. "She was a daughter of Col. Richard Floyd, and the widow of Benjamin "Nicoll esq. of Long Island; by whom she had two sons, William and Benjamin, and one daughter. After this marriage Mr. Johnson undertook to " instruct her sons in the languages, and to superintend their education; which "office he performed with the utmost vigilance, care, and affection. They "were both sent to the college at New Haven in 1730, and graduated at the common period."

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In 1729 he became acquainted with Dr. Berkley, then dean of Derry in Ireland, who had arrived in America, and resided in Rhode Island; and he always considered the intimacy, he obtained with him, as one of the most happy occurrences of his life. He afterwards became a convert to many of the dean's peculiar sentiments.

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"When the dean was about leaving America Mr. Johnson made him his “ final visit. As he retained a strong affection for Yale College, the seminary, in which he was educated, and with which he had been otherwise con"nected, he took the liberty on this occasion to recommend it to the dean's “notice; hoping that he might think proper to send it some books, and not expecting or aiming at any thing further. But within two years from that " time Dr. Berkley, assisted by several gentlemen, who had subscribed money

" for his intended college at Bermuda, sent over a valuable collection of books, as a present to Yale College. It amounted, including what he had given be"fore, to near one thousand volumes; of which two hundred and sixty were in "folio, and very large. The cost of this collection could have been little less "than five hundred pounds sterling. At or about the same time he transmit"ted to Mr. Johnson a deed, in which he conveyed to that college his farm in "Rhode Island, consisting of ninety six acres. The annual interest of it was "to be divided between three bachelors of arts, who, upon examination by "the rector of the college and a minister of the church of England, should appear to be the best classical scholars; provided they would reside at college the three years between their bachelor's and master's degrees in the I prosecution of their studies; and the forfeitures in case of nonresidence were to be given in premiums of books to those, that performed the best "exercises."

Next are given particulars of the progress of conformity to the episcopal persuasion in several places in Connecticut, and some valuable remarks on the zealous efforts of Mr. Whitefield and his followers.

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"In prosecution of his general plan for checking the progress of enthusiasm "and counteracting the absurd doctrines, that were perpetually propagated throughout the country, Mr. Johnson drew up a system of morality, con"taining the first principles of moral philosophy, or ethics, in a chain of ne"cessary consequences from certain facts, which was published in 1746. In part I, which treats of the speculative part of moral philosophy, the author particularly considers the nature of man, his excellence, and imperfections; << the author of our nature, his perfections, and operations; and the end of our being, with the natural proofs of a future state. In part II, concerning the practical part of moral philosophy, he treats in separate chapters of the du"ties in general, resulting from the foregoing truths, and particularly of the * duties, which we owe to ourselves; of those we owe to God; and of those, « which are due to our fellow creatures, according to their various stations "and characters, and the relation we bear to them. This work was seasona«ble, and was well received by the sober and judicious part of his countryes men; and there is reason to believe, that it had a good effect on the country

« in general.

"In consequence of Mr. Johnson's signalizing himself by his good conduct "and his numerous publications, which in England were much applauded, his « old friend, Dr. Astry, recommended him to the university of Oxford for the "degree of Doctor in Divinity, which was readily and unanimously conferred " on him by diploma in February 1743. Twenty years before the university " in the diploma, given him for his master's degree, used this expression. Spe"rantes nempe, illius ministerio, aliam et eandem, olim, nascituram, ecclesiam "Anglicanam.' To this they allude in their present diploma, as partly ac*complished in the late great increase of the church, in which he had been in"strumental; and Dr. Astry, in his letter on the occasion of transmitting the "diploma, tells him, he did not so much consider himself as doing a good of"fice to a private friend, as promoting the public interest of religion.' "eral persons of rank and distinction, as Dr. Johnson was informed by his ❝ friend, Dr. Astry, were very active in procuring his degree; particularly "Dr. Secker, then bishop of Oxford, and afterwards archbishop of Canterbury, "and Dr. Hodges, provost of Oriel college and vice chancellor of the universi

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