was the fact. "Who made the noise then?' inquired the angry tutor. I did not,' answered the accused. Punishment followed for his refusal to inculpate others. There was profound silence; he submitted; and I remember the stateliness with which he returned to his place, while a buzz of applause sounded through the room. The triumph was his, and the defeat was Ewart's, who was shortly after dismissed.

"His powers as a declaimer were considered on all hands as very remarkable; yet in this he would be his own teacher, and have his own way, which was somewhat peculiar. One of his favourite pieces was the popular speech of Cassius, on the occasion of the murder of Julius Cæsar. He had studied it well, and gave it with admirable effect; but there is one line in which, though never failing to produce ill-timed smiles, and sometimes laughter, among the other dramatis persona, he ever persisted in perpetrating the same ludicrous fault." This turn for elocution was not only striking to his youthful companions, but was also noticed with admiration by those whose judgment was chastened by sobriety and taste. Bishop White, who was a trustee of the Academy, and was always present at the examinations, unites in the commendation of this talent, as well as in the testimony to his diligence and proficiency in every other branch of his studies. The same honourable memorial is preserved in the records of the institution, which still remain.

He was naturally of a quick and ardent temper; but it was observed at an early period, that this

was brought under better discipline with the advance of his mind, and that he was then, as ever after, generous and forgiving. He was remarkably free from the jealousy which torments the young, who are ambitious of distinction, and from the vanity which is so apt to follow its attainment. His memory was singularly retentive and exact; his imagination sufficiently vivid, but surpassed by an active and powerful judgment; his industry untiring; his character full of energy and force. Thus he appeared to the companions of his studies and sports in boyhood and youth: he mingled in their amusements with cheerfulness and freedom, attracting their regard by his sociability and kindness, but at the same time avoiding, in a remarkable degree, both in conduct and language, the faults which are so common at that age, and preserving great purity of mind and manners. Without being austere or uncharitable towards the failings of others, he had an utter abhorrence of every thing that was mean, deceitful, base, or vicious; but his amiable dispositions, his sense of filial duty, his fraternal love, his social feelings, were very imperfectly known, except where they were freely exercised in the bosom of his family, and among his chosen and familiar friends.

A remark which was made of him at a later period, by one who was intimately acquainted with him for nearly forty years, "that he had in as high a degree as any person whom he ever knew, the happy talent of attracting friends around him, influencing their understandings, controlling their inclinations, and regulating their conduct," was

strictly applicable to him, even from his tenderest youth. A striking instance of this peculiarity will be seen in the following communication from one of his earliest companions and friends:*

"I first met with him in the month of September, 1791, when he was about sixteen years of age. He had, a short time before, left the University of Pennsylvania, and it was decided by his family, and approved of by himself, that he should finish his collegiate education at Princeton. I then resided in the family of Robert Smith, of Philadelphia, who, in the month of July, was married to a sister of Mr. Hobart. It was in this family that I became acquainted with him. I have at this time a distinct and lively recollection of our first meeting, and of the general tenour of our conversation during the evening which we spent together; and before we parted, I formed an attachment to him, which I have never ceased to cherish. He was between two and three years younger than I was, and had been, from the usual age, employed in the appropriate studies preparatory to a classical education: on the other hand, mine had been very limited, confined to our own language, and what was usually taught in a common English school. Notwithstanding these differences, however, in our previous occupations and pursuits, and in our views and prospects for after-life, we became friends at once. At the very first interview we felt entire confidence in each other, and entered fully into each other's feelings, wishes, and hopes. He

* James Robertson, Esq. of Richmond, Virginia.

looked forward with pleasure to the many advantages which Princeton College then held out to young men who would faithfully avail themselves of them, while I, with a strong desire for improvement, was doomed to drudge at an employment always irksome to me, but which necessarily occupied the most of my time and attention. He cheered me, however; and, even at that early period of life, he pressed upon me, from the weightiest of all considerations, the duty of being reconciled to my situation; urging, that while I faithfully discharged the duties which it imposed upon me, and made the best use of the leisure that might be left, I would probably be gaining that kind of information which would contribute as much to my own happiness, and to my usefulness in society, as if I were to devote the whole of my time to literary pursuits. I have never forgotten his suggestions; and if I have not realized the hopes which his animating conversation encouraged me to indulge, my disappointment has not lessened my confidence in the soundness and in the sincerity of his advice."

I have not been able to obtain any thing more than some very brief and imperfect notices of him during his connexion with the University of Pennsylvania. Only two or three of his class-mates still survive. One of these, who was extremely young when Mr. Hobart left it, has a general recollection that "he was then regarded as an excellent scholar, and discovered the ardent and active mind which

The Rev. Dr. Wilson, Professor in the General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church.

was so fully developed in subsequent life." Another* observes, "that although among the youngest in the class, he was considered one of the best and most promising scholars; and that, in a debating society which was established in the College, he held a high rank among his fellow-students." Here all remarked his great ambition to excel in the exercises, and felt his power when they came to contend with him. In the early part of his life he often spoke of this society, and the advantages which he derived from it, with great satisfaction. In 1791 he removed to Princeton: he there passed through his collegiate course with great reputation, and on taking his bachelor's degree, in 1793, divided with another the first honour of his class.

While he was in Princeton College, he contracted a friendship for one of his companions in study, Abraham Skinner, which was of the most romantic character: in intensity and fervour it resembled that of Jonathan for David, whose "love was wonderful, passing the love of women." There are more than sixty letters remaining, which young Hobart wrote to his friend, that are in a great measure filled with the most tender and passionate expressions of his attachment, and with allusions to their happy and delightful intercourse in college days. Mr. Skinner was an amiable youth, of great mildness of character, sweetness of disposition, and purity of manners, and in every way worthy of the affection which was cherished for him. It seems to have been returned with a corresponding