ed this seminary of learning. This fact is worth a thousand volumes of speculation, to prove the happy and noble fruits of well directed diligence in study. But the best portrait of Dr. Smith, is drawn by President Wheelock, in his eulogium on his friend, from which we make the following

extract.

"The Rev. Dr. John Smith, a descendant from worthy parents, was born on the 21st day of December, 1752, in the parish of Byfield, in the State of Massachusetts. Early in life, so soon as his mind was susceptible of rational improvement, his father entered him at Dummer school, under the instruction of Mr. Samuel Moody. It is unnecessary to take notice of the developement of his juvenile mind, his attention to literature, and especially his delight in the study of the ancient, oriental languages. That distinguished master contemplated the height, to which he would rise in this department; and his remark on him, when leaving the school to enter this institution, was equal to a volume of eulogy.

Dr. Smith took his first degree in the year 1773. He still resided at the College with unremitted ardour in his literary pursuits. His mind was not wholly isolated in one particular branch. Philosophy, geography, criticism, and other parts of philology, held respectable rank in his acquirements; but these yielded to a prevailing bias the investigations of language unceasingly continued his favorite object. The knowledge of the Hebrew with his propensity led him to the study of theology. He filled the office of tutor in the College, when an invitation was made to him from Connecticut to settle in the ministry.

At this period, in the year 1778, the way was open to a professorship in the learned languages. On him the public eye was fixed. He under

took the duties, and entered the career of more splendid services in the republic of letters. His solicitude and labors were devoted to the institution, during its infantile state embarrassed by the revolutionary war. He alleviated the burthens of the reverend founder of this establishment; and administered comfort and solace to him in his declining days.

From that period in 1779, Dr. Smith continued indefatigable in mental applications; faithful in the discharge of official duties; and active for the interest of the society, through scenes of trouble and adversity. The board of Trustees elected him a member of their body. The church at the College, founded by my predecessor, intrusted with him, as pastor, their spiritual concerns, and were prospered under his prudent and pious care. God blessed his labors; a golden harvest reminds us of the last. I may add, that his qualifications, as a divine, were appreciated abroad; and have been acknowledged with marked respect by a public and honorable body. To the force of his various exertions, under divine providence, justice demands, that we ascribe much in the rise and splendor of this establish

ment.

The Creator, in his wisdom, has not formed the individuals of the human race with universal genius. Cicero appears to have been the only instance, among the ancients, of the same person embracing the various arts and sciences, and excelling in each. One mind seems to have been adapted to only one kind of improvement, so that it might be matured, in its varieties, by the more effectual labors of all. But can this

truth justify the usage of the ancient Egyptians, and as continued in India, confining the different professions to particular families? Human institutions cannot control the laws of nature. Genius, restrained, can never advance. Happy, when education, and circumstances, conduct it in the course, which nature designed. Thus, in regard to him, whose merit-now demands our tribute.

While surveying the circle of knowledge, and justly estimating the relative importance of its different branches, still his eye was more fixed on classical science; and his attachment seemed to concentrate the force of genius in developing the nature of language, and the principles of the learned tongues, on which the modern so much depend for their perfection. The Latin, the Greek, and the Hebrew, were almost familiar to him as his native language. He clearly comprehended the Samaritan and Chaldaic; and far extended his researches in the Arabic,

Some, perhaps, may think less of the importance of Grammar; because, like the atmosphere, its use is common, though necessary. Will such believe, that the enlightened Greeks and Romans assigned a place to its professors, as well as to philosophers and poets, in the temple of Apollo; could they conceive, that Suetonius devoted himself to write the history of Illustrious Grammarians? Plato gave rank to this art in his sublime works; and Aristotle more largely discussed its principles. A crowd of Stoic philosophers enlisted in the service. Varro, Cicero, Messala, and Julius Cæsar, treated of the same, and did honor to the subject.

The eminent attainments of Dr. Smith in the knowledge of the languages are attested by multitudes, scattered in the civilized world, who en

joyed his instruction. They will be attested, in future times, by his Latin Grammar, published about seven years ago; and by his Hebrew grammar, which has since appeared. In each of these works, in a masterly manner, he treats of every matter proper for the student to know. Each subject is displayed, in a new method, with perspicuity, conciseness, simplicity, and classic taste. His Greek grammar, we may suppose, will exhibit the same traits, when it shall meet the public eye. This last labor he had finished, and committed to the printer a few months before his decease.*

If we turn to take a moral view of this distinguished votary of science, new motives will increase our esteem. What shall I say of the purity of his manners, his integrity and amiable virtues? These are too strongly impressed on the minds of all, who knew him, to need description. He was possessed of great modesty, and a degree of reserve, appearing at times to indi-cate diffidence, in the view of those less acquainted. But this, itself, was an effusion of his goodness, which led to yielding accommodation in matters of minor concern: yet, however, when the interest of virtue, or society, required him to act, he formed his own opinion, and proceeded with unshaken firmness. Those, intimately acquainted with him can bear witness; and it is confirmed by invariable traits in his principles and practice, during life.

The virtues of Dr. Smith were not compressed within the circle of human relations, which vanish with time. Gontemplating the first cause, the connexions and dependencies in the moral state, his mind was filled with a sense of interminable duties. He was a disciple of Jesus. The

*It has been since published and is much approved.

former president admired and loved him, and taught him theology. The latter as a divine, and christian, embraced and inculcated the same doctrine-peace on earth, and good will to all men. This amiable spirit actuated his whole life, and added peculiar splendor to the closing

scene.

His intense pursuits of science affected his constitution, and produced debility, which, more than two years before, began to be observed by his friends. It gradually increased, but not greatly to interrupt his applications till six weeks before his death. While I revive the affliction at his departure, its accompanying circumstances will assuage our sorrow. The thoughts of his resignation to divine providence, through all the stages of a disease, that rapidly preyed upon his vitals, his composure, serenity, and christian confidence, remain for the consolation of his friends, and instruction of all.

Such is the character of Dr. Smith, which I have endeavored impartially and faithfully to depict. Some there are, who, by a flash of achievement, have, like Pisistratus and Demetrius, received the burst of applause from a deluded people. Many surrounded with trappings of wealth, many, decorated with titles, many descending from ennobled ancestors, have been flattered, while living, by parasites, celebrated at their death by hirelings, and to their memory statues and monuments were erected. But such glory vanishes like the falling star, and its possessors are consigned to oblivion. How different is the honor consecrated to merit; to the memory of him, whose departure we now lament! The fame of Dr. Smith does not arise from wealth, nor descent from titled ancestors. It has no borrowed lustre. He was indebted wholly to his genius,