was erroneously concluded that, if the appointment were made, it would not be accepted. The Faculty, therefore, supposing that their application. was fruitless, at once filled up the vacancy by the temporary appointment of another. On the receipt, however, of Mr. Hobart's answer, the President wrote a letter to him, which was couched in very polite and flattering terms, assuring him that, in the offer of the Faculty, the greatest fairness and respect were meant towards him; that the proposal of Mr. Wood would neither have been brought forward nor accepted, had they not been under the impression that he had declined; and that it was their unanimous wish that he would not give up his intention of going to Princeton, but that he would still take the place in the spring, when, by the terms of the engagement, it would be resigned. He again replied, that if there should be no change in his views, he would then accept the office. In the meantime, however, the matter had been carefully considered in all its bearings, and his mind was thrown into the greatest perplexity and doubt. He had been struck with the advantages which this situation offered for study and reflection,* but then he feared, notwithstanding the support and indulgence which he hoped to meet with from the Faculty, that the duties of the office would require

He also pointed out, in a letter to his mother on this subject, another important advantage:-"All the duties of the office, by leading me to associate much with men of talents and information, and to direct and influence the conduct of others, will be of great service in preparing me for active intercourse with mankind in future life."

more ability and experience than could reasonably be expected at his early age;* that he should be obliged to shake off his former pleasing intimacy with some of the students, and perhaps draw on him the ill will of others; and that he should not participate in the enjoyments and improvement to be derived from that favourite society in whose business and discussions he had always taken so conspicuous a part. These are some of the reasons which led him to waver in regard to this step; but there were others still more weighty which increased his hesitation. "My friends," he remarks, in a letter to Mr. Skinner, "though they acquiesced in this scheme, were averse to it. It is their wish that I should be with them. My mother also would lose a great part of her happiness were I to be away from her: she is now in the decline of life. Her children's happiness and interests have been the objects of all her exertions, and these now demand from them every attention which it is in their power to render. Uncertain how long she might be with us, I could not think of leaving her. She and all my other relations, however, wished me to go, if I thought it would be most to my advantage and interest.

"I considered, also, that if I were to go to Princeton and engage as tutor, it might be expected that I should join the Presbyterian communion, and enter the ministry in that Church. As this would not be my wish, I am apprehensive that my situa

• He was at that time only eighteen years old.

The Whig Society.

tion there would not be altogether agreeable. * **. There was another reason, which I forgot to mention. As I intended to enter the ministry in the Episcopal Church, it would be most proper that I should study under an Episcopal minister. Having thus made up my mind, I feel an ease which I have not enjoyed since fall."

This subject takes up a considerable part of five different letters which he wrote to his friend Mr. Skinner. It is somewhat remarkable, that he who at this time was so slow, hesitating, and doubtful, at a later period of his life was as quick as lightning in thought and action.

Dr. Smith, on learning the change which had taken place in his sentiments, endeavoured to obviate the reasons upon which it was founded; and with respect to his religious opinions, he assured him that no improper bias should be given to his mind.

The President was aware of his attachment, from principle and habit, to the Episcopal Church; so far, therefore, from wishing to influence him in favour of another, he remarked, that it would be his duty to have a constant reference to his establishment in the Church for which he was designed, and that, agreeably to these views, he would furnish him with every facility in his power. This letter, which reflected so much honour on the mind and heart of the writer, and gave so flattering a testimony to the scholarship and worth of Mr. Hobart, led him finally to comply with the request; and accordingly, in the spring of 1794, he went to Princeton.

It was the impression of Bishop White, that he entered immediately upon his duties as a tutor in the College; but, according to the account of another, who was a member of the institution, this did not take place till the fall of 1795, when he had attained his twentieth year. The manner in which he performed the duties of this office, and the impression which he made on his youthful companions, have been both beautifully and accurately described by the Rev. Dr. Beasley, who was one of his earliest and dearest friends.

"Immediately after I had contracted an acquaintance with Mr. Hobart, one of the tutors of the College having resigned his post, he was induced by President Smith to supply his place; and in this manner he was numbered among the officers of the Seminary. In this capacity he acquitted himself with remarkable address and ability, uniting the utmost vigilance and activity in the maintenance of discipline, to a winning affability of deportment, which gained the affections and secured the respect and esteem of the students. In all his public performances he was listened to with pleasure and admiration; in his class he was a diligent and efficient instructor; and in conducting all the operations of the College, a leading and influential member of the board of Faculty. He seems to have been forined by nature rather for action than contemplation. He never was prone to those habits of close attention, severe application, and persevering inquiry, by which alone extensive erudition may be attained, and philosophy successfully cultivated; but his executive powers were of a high VOL. I.

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order; and when he chose to interest himself in any subject of scientific or literary investigation, he could make as great a proficiency in it, in a limited time, as any one I ever saw. He united all the properties of an efficient man, in the discharge of active duties; his judgment was sound and clear; his mind prompt in its decisions, and unvarying in purpose; his constancy inflexible, and his perseverance not to be overcome by difficulties or discouragements. From the earliest period of life, in whatever sphere he might be moving, he would always become one of the principal agents in controlling its transactions.

"A single instance may serve to exemplify his vigilance and activity in the government of the institution. Upon a certain day in the autumn, the students had been in the habit of making application to the Faculty for a holiday; and, more in compliance with custom than law upon the subject, it had been uniformly granted. On the occasion, however, to which I refer, Dr. Smith and his colleagues thought it not adviseable to intermit the regular exercises of the classes, and the holiday was refused. Some of the more bold and refractory among the young men, who are always to be found in such an assemblage, irritated at the denial of a customary indulgence, called a meeting of the classes in the College-hall, and proposed, that since the officers of the College had refused them an enjoyment to which established usage had given them a right, they should partake of the indulgence without permission, refuse to appear in their recitation-rooms, and proceed with those amusements