in English Poetry. Repeatedly has he been known to dictate four of these stanzas, or forty four lines, in the course of such an evening; and chiefly without any subsequent corrections.

The earliest of his poetical productions that has been preserved, though written at the age of fifteen, bears the characteristic marks both in style and thought of his later and more mature compositions. While he was connected with the College either as a student or a tutor, he wrote and published several small poems on various subjects, which were very favourably received at the time, and are still admired for sweetness of versification, as well as for delicacy and purity of sentiment.

The early age at which he wrote the Conquest of Canaan is to be remembered in forming our estimate of the poem. It is not believed, that the history of English poetry contains the account of any equal effort, made at so early an age. The subject of the poem has been objected to, as not sufficiently interesting to ren der such a performance popular with the great body of readers. At the time of its publication, there was undoubtedly some ground for this remark. It was published a short time after the peace of 1783: a period unhappily characterized by an extensive prevalence of Infidelity, as well as of loose sentiments with regard to morals. In this state of things, no poem founded on a Scriptural story, however meritorious in itself, however happy its plan, or brilliant its imagery, or interesting its incidents, or distinct its characters, or noble its sentiments; could fail to be in a degree unpopular; especially if breathing the purest morality, and the most exalted piety. Had its appearance been postponed to a period within the last fifteen years, during which time, infidelity has given place to a reverence for the Bible, and a general regard for the doctrines which it contains; there is little reason to doubt, that its reception would have been still more flattering to the author, and more just to its own merit as a work of genius. The Conquest of Canaan contains abundant evidence of rich invention, of harmonious versification, of a brilliant fancy, of strong powers of description, of a sublime imagination, of vigorous thought, and of the most pure and virtuous sentiment.

In addition to his attainments in classical learning, and the sciences in general, President Dwight had acquired a vast fund VOL. I.

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of information on almost all the concerns of human life. His acquaintance with books was extensive; comprising not only those appropriate to his profession as a Minister, and his office as President of the College, but on all important and interesting subjects. He was thoroughly read in ancient and modern history, geography, biography, and travels. Few works of this description especially those of the two last classes, escaped his attention. With the pursuits of agriculture, he was practically as well as theoretically conversant. In the cultivation of his garden he took peculiar pleasure, and displayed an uncommon degree of skill and science. Of his extensive knowledge on these subjects, his poem called "Greenfield-hill," affords satisfactory evidence. One part of that work, entitled "the Farmer's Advice to the Villagers," contains a body of information, and of sound advice, addressed to that valuable class of men, of the utmost practical utility. In truth, it is difficult to name a subject of any considerable importance, connected with the common pursuits of men in the business of life, which he had not made the subject of accurate observation and close thought; on which he had not collected many valuable facts; or about which he was not able to communicate much that was interesting and useful.

It has been seen, that a large proportion of President Dwight's life was devoted to the instruction of youth. From the age of seventeen to sixty-four, he was scarcely ever entirely disengaged from that employment; and there were not more than two years of that period, in which he did not pursue it as his constant busiHis first effort afforded a sure promise of that high degree of excellence, in this interesting employment, to which he afterwards attained. In the course of his life, he assisted in educating between two and three thousand persons.

ness.

In the great change produced in the College, during his tutorship, by his efforts and those of his associates, his own exertions were of primary importance. He continued much longer in the office of tutor than they did, and, of course, had a greater opportunity to execute the plans for improvement which they had jointly devised, and put in operation.

It was unquestionably a fortunate circumstance for him, when he entered upon the presidency, that the public had full confi

dence in his capacity to fulfil its duties. It is, however, to be remembered, that this confidence was not, in any measure, founded upon mere expectation, or calculation. It rested upon a thorough acquaintance with his experience and success in the arduous and difficult business of instruction. The possession of this confidence, enabled him to commence his labours in the institution, according to his own ideas of usefulness and practicability; and to adopt such a course of measures as the exigency of the case required. And to his independence and energy, his industry and devotion to his duty, is the College eminently indebted for the high character to which it was elevated, amidst all its difficulties, and embarrassments, at the time of his accession, and during his continuance in the office.

One of his most important qualifications as the head of such an institution was an intimate knowledge of the character and feelings of young men, which, by long observation, he had acquired. The possession of this knowledge, so indispensably necessary, and yet so rarely to be met with, enabled him to direct his efforts, in the administration of the government, and the application of discipline, in the most judicious and efficacious manner, to accomplish the objects in view. Those objects were, the peace and reputation of the College, and the character and highest interests of the students. Having adopted a system which was, in its nature and tendency, parental, he watched over the conduct and welfare of his academical children with affection and solicitude. So successful was he in the application of this system, that the youths who were placed under his care, loved and revered him as an affectionate father. When admonition or censure, or even more severe measures, at any time, became necessary; his course of proceeding was in a high degree efficacious and salutary. These admonitions and censures were delivered in a manner, affectionate, indeed, but plain and searching; and rarely failed of producing their intended effect. Many a youth, whose conduct had subjected him to the discipline of the College, has found his stubborn temper subdued, his heart melted into contrition, and himself compelled to submission and obedience, by the private, solemn, but pathetic and eloquent remonstrances of his kind and affectionate teacher.

President Dwight's talents as an Instructor, were no where more conspicuous than in the recitation-room of the senior class. The year commenced with the study of Rhetoric, in which the Lectures of Blair were the Text-Book. The questions naturally arising from the lesson were first answered; and the principles of the author freely examined. This usually occupied not more than half an hour; and was succeeded by a familiar extem⚫ poraneous lecture on the subject, which filled up the residue of the two hours commonly devoted to his recitations. This lecture was often enlivened by anecdote and humour, and interspersed with striking illustrations. It frequently exhibited lively sallies of the imagination, and occasionally high specimens of eloquence. Yet it was in fact, though not in form, a regular dissertation, a connected chain of powerful reasoning, calculated to leave a distinct and permanent impression on the mind. When the course of rhetoric was completed, that of Logic and Metaphysics succeeded; in which the regular text-books were Duncan, and Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding. After this followed Ethics; when Paley's Moral Philosophy was studied. In these recitations, also, a similar method was adopted. Those three courses occupied three days in the week through the year. On each of these days the class exhibited written compositions. Two more were devoted to forensic disputation. The discussions of the students were commonly written, but at times extemporaneous. When these discussions were finished, the President closed the debate, in an argument giving a comprehensive view of the question; and occupying, according to its importance, sometimes the space of half an hour, and sometimes that of several recitations. The series of questions thus discussed usually involved the more important disputable points in science, politics, morals, and theology. Many of his decisions, as specimens of reasoning and eloquence, were not surpassed by his happiest public efforts. On Saturday, Vincent's "Exposition of the Shorter Catechism" was recited. The lesson terminated in a few minutes, and was followed by a Theological Lecture on the subject. At the close, he heard Declamations. The students regularly looked forward to the Senior Year as peculiarly interesting and important; in which their minds were to be disciplined and furnished for action. No

compulsion was necessary to secure their presence in the recitation-room. Even those who had previously been indolent attended of choice. In each of the four courses of Rhetoric, Logic and Metaphysics, Ethics and Theology as taught in Vincent; he spent more time in instructing his class than is customarily spent in the regular lectures of Professors in those sciences. In addition to this, he was the stated Preacher twice on the sabbath; addressed the students at length in the Theological Chamber on Saturday evening; superintended the general administration of the College government; wrote by the assistance of his pupils or of a regular amanuensis almost all the works which he ever wrote; and attended with marked punctuality to all the calls of civility and friendship. It ought here to be remembered, that for the first twenty years of his Presidency he was rarely able to read so much as a single chapter in the Bible in the twenty-four hours.

One important feature of his administration was the selection of his assistant officers of the Faculty. The professorship of Theology, it has been mentioned, was occupied by himself. The others were filled with much younger gentlemen than had been usual; the education of nearly all of whom, he had superintended; and with whose talents and qualifications he was thoroughly acquainted. The advantages of this course were numerous; and the wisdom of it has been fully proved and acknowledged. The College Faculty entertained perfect confidence in one another, and entire harmony of opinion as to the system of government. The welfare of the College was a common interest; to promote which, they lent their whole united influence. In its administration, they always moved as one man. The experience, judg ment, and energy of the President, and the active and vigorous co-operation of his younger associates, had the happiest effects on its good order and regularity, even in times the most turbu lent and threatening. The consequence was, that Yale College was tranquil at a period well remembered, when almost every other public Seminary in the Union was shaken to its centre.

As a Minister and Preacher of the Gospel, it is not easy to convey an adequate idea of his characteristic excellence. Hav. ing been compelled from the weakness of his eyes, to adopt the plan of preaching without notes; his sermons, except those de