While trees, which shoot their tow'ring heads, Of vanquish'd, which assault the skies, JOHN WINTHROP. THE accomplished natural philosopher, Professor Winthrop, of Harvard, was a man of eminent scientific reputation in his day, and was universally WWinthrop spoken of with respect. He was a representative of old Governor Winthrop in the fourth generation in descent from the fifth son. He was born in Boston in 1714, studied at Cambridge, and six years after his first degree, was appointed, in 1733, Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, to succeed Greenwood. His Observations of the Transit of Mercury, in 1740, were communicated to the Royal Society, of which he subsequently became a Fellow, and were published in the forty-second volume_of their Transactions. In 1755 he published a Lecture on Earthquakes, on occasion of the celebrated phenomenon of that year, and parried in a philosophical manner an attack which followed from the Rev. Dr. Prince, of Boston, who thought the theology of the day might be impaired in consequence. Though his religious opinions were firmly held, his election to his Professorship had occasioned some opposition, as has since been the case with Priestley, Playfair, and an instance of the present day, in New York. A special doctrinal examination was waived in his favor. 1759 he published two Lectures on Comets, which he read in the college chapel in April of that year, on occasion of the comet which appeared in that month. His style in these essays, in In Peirce, History of Harvard Univ. 188. We may refer to the remarks of Lord Brougham, in the case of Priestley, in that great writer's memoir, in "The Lives of Men of Letters" which he reviews the speculations on the subject, and unfolds the theory of Newton, is marked by its ease and felicity. As an instance of his manner, we may quote some of his more general remarks at the conclusion. "It is not to be doubted, that the allwise Author of nature designed so remarkable a sort of bodies for important purposes, both natural and moral, in His creation. The moral purposes seem not very diffi cult to be found. Such grand and unusual appear ances tend to rouse mankind, who are apt to fall asleep, while all things continue as they were; to awake their attention and to direct it to the su preme Governor of the universe, whom they would be in danger of totally forgetting, were nature always to glide along with an uniform tenor. These exotic stars serve to raise in our minds most sublime conceptions of God, and particularly display his exquisite skill. The motions of many comets being contrary to those of the planets, shew that neither of them proceed from necessity or fate, but from choice and design. The same thing is to be seen in the figure and situation of their orbits; which, indeed, have not the appearance of regularity, as those of the planets, and yet are the result of admirable contrivance. By means of their great eccentricity, they run so swiftly through the planetary regions, as to have but very little time to disturb their own motions or those of the planets. And this end is still more effectually answered in those comets whose motion is retrograde or contrary to that of the pla nets. "But instead of entering here into a detail, which would probably answer no valuable end, I choose rather to turn your thoughts to that consummate wisdom which presides over this vast machine of nature, and has so regulated the several movements in it as to obviate the damage that might arise from this quarter. None but an eye able to pierce into the remotest futurity, and to foresee, throughout all ages, all the situations which this numerous class of bodies would have towards the planets, in consequence of the laws of their respective motions, could have given so just an arrangement to their several orbits, and assigned them their places at first in their orbits, with such perfect accuracy, that their motions have ever since continued without interfering, and no disasters of this sort have taken place, unless we except the case of the deluge. For though so many comets have traversed this planetary system, and some of their orbits run near to those of the planets; yet the planets have never been in the way, but always at a distance from the nearest point, when the comets have passed by it. The foresight of that great Being, which has hitherto prevented such disorders, will continue to prevent them, so long as He sees fit the present frame of nature should subsist. Longer than that it is not fit that it should subsist. "It may not be unseasonable to remark, for a conclusion, that as, on the one hand, it argues a temerity unworthy a philosophie mind, to explode every apprehension of danger from comets, as if it were impossible that any damage could ever be occasioned by any of them, because some idle and superstitious fancies have in times of ignorance prevailed concerning them; so on the other, to be thrown into a panic whenever a comet appears, on account of the ill effects which some few of these bodies might possibly produce, if they were not under a proper direction, betrays a weakness equally unbecoming a reasonable being. The wisest course is to aim at such a rectitude of intention and firmness of resolution, that, as Horace says: Si fractus illabatur orbis, Impavidum ferient ruina.'" On the sixth of June, 1761, Winthrop observed the celebrated Transit of Venus, at St. John's, Newfoundland, making the voyage thither in a government vessel, at the charge of the Province, at the especial instance of Governor Bernard. This incident furnished the topic of the two poems in the Pictas et Gratulatio of the same year, which have been attributed to his pen. Winthrop was followed, after an interval, in this subject, by one of his college pupils, Andrew Oliver, the eldest son of the Secretary of the Province, and a gentleman of leisure and of scientific and literary cultivation, who, in 1772, published his Essay on Comets, in which he maintained the theory that these bodies might be inhabited worlds, "and even comfortable habitations."* Oliver also wrote papers on Thunder Storms and Water Spouts, which were published in the Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, of which he was a member, as he was also one of the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 1765 Professor Winthrop published an account of several fiery meteors visible in North America; and in 1766 his paper Cogitata de Cometis, which was communicated to the Royal Society by Dr. Franklin, and was separately printed in London. When the struggle of the colonies for freedom commenced he took part in it, and was one of the Council, with Bowdoin and Dexter, negatived by the home government. He was re-chosen; and was also made Judge of Probate for the County of Middlesex, an office which he held till his death, in 1779, at the age of sixty. His eulogy was pronounced by Professor Wigglesworth and others; and his pupil and friend, Andrew Oliver, composed an elegy, the only specimen preserved of this writer's poetic talents. Ye sons of Harvard! who, by Winthrop taught, Ye, whom the love of Geometry inspired, To chase coy science through each winding maze; Whose breasts were with Newtonian ardor fired, Catched by his sparks, and kindled at his blaze, Ye philosophic souls! whose thoughts can trace mine. Ye tenants of the happy seats above! Welcome this late inhabitant of clay, From hostile factions, to the realms of love, Where he may bask in everlasting day, Ye kindred spirits waft him in his way. When in their sockets suns shall blaze their last. Their fuel wasted, and extinct their light, Both these compositions of Winthrop and Oliver were republished, with biographical notices, in Boston, in 1811, when the re-appearance of one of these heavenly bodies had created a new interest in the subject. And worlds torn piecemeal by the final blast, Subside in chaos and eternal night, He still shall shine In youth divine, And soaring on cherubic wing, And in unceasing raptures, to his Maker's praise, Professor Winthrop left a son, James Winthrop, who fought and was wounded at Bunker Hill, and became Judge of the Common Pleas. He was also a man of much literature and science, a good linguist, publishing, in 1794, An Attempt to translate part of the Apocalypse of St. John into familiar language, by divesting it of the metaphors in which it is involved, a second edition of which was printed in 1809. He wrote for a periodical, The Literary Miscellany, Dissertations on Primitive History and the Geography of the Old World, and several scientific papers. lle was librarian at Harvard for fifteen years, dying at the age of 70, at Cambridge, in 1821. He bequeathed his valuable library to the college at Meadville, Pennsylvania.* SAMUEL CURWEN. SAMUEL CURWEN, a descendant from George Curwen, who settled in the town of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1638, was born in that place in 1715. Completing his course at Harvard in 1735, he commenced a preparation for the ministry, but was obliged to abandon his determination in consequence of ill health. Disappointment in a love affair led him to seek relief in a change of scene by a visit to England. On his return he engaged in business, and became a leading merchant. In 1744-5 he served as a captain in the attack upon Louisburg. In 1759 he was appointed Impost Officer for the county of Essex, and held the office for fifteen years. In June, 1774, on the departure of Governor Hutchinson for Europe, Mr. Curwen, who was then a Judge of Admiralty, joined with one hundred and nineteen citizens of the colony, in signing an address to that officer of a commendatory character. Many of these signers were afterwards stigmatized as "Addressers," and compelled to make a public recantation of the act. Mr. Curwen declined doing this, and having from the outset sided with Great Britain, resolved to withdraw from the country until public affairs resumed their former tranquillity. A few months would, he supposed, effect this, and he sailed from Philadelphia in May, 1775, with the expectation of making a correspondingly brief stay abroad. Mr. Curwen arrived at Dover, July 3, 1775. He immediately departed for London, where he passed several months, principally occupied in sight-seeing. In June, 1776, he writes, "I find my finances so visibly lessening, that I wish I could remove from this expensive country (being heartily tired of it). To beg is a meanness I wish never to be reduced to, and to starve is stupid." With a view to economy, and probably to gratify his taste for sight-seeing as well, we find him soon after leaving London to visit the great towns in search of a less costly place of residence. After a ramble about Eng Knapp, Am. Blog. 851. children. Your friend, S. CURWEN. land, which gives us some curious pictures of judgment, convey my kind love to your wife and inns and churches, show-places and antiquities, fairs and hustings, he settles down in Bristol, but in 1780 returns to London, where he remained until his departure for America after the close of the war in 1784. He returned to his native town, was entirely unmolested on account of his political course, and died in April, 1802, at the age of eighty-six. During his sojourn in England, he kept a familiar journal of his movements, occupations, and amusements, which was sent in detached pieces to his niece, and some sixty years afterwards, in 1842, published under the editorial care of her grandson. It is of great value in an historical point of view, displaying the condition of the refugees in England, their opinion of American affairs, and the action of Parliament during the war. It is also interesting for its pictures of London society and localities three quarters of a century ago. He falls in with Hutchinson almost as soon as he arrives, goes to hear Dr. Apthorpe preach, walks out with Parson Peters, takes tea with facetious Joseph Green, and afterwards pays a visit of condolence to his widow. He is an indefatigable sight-seer, keeps the run of the theatres, and does not despise the rope-dancers, follows the debates at the House of Commons, and looks in now and then at "the Ladies' Disputing Club, Cornhill." To the last, he takes a discouraging view of American independence, writing May 11, 1782, to Richard Ward at Salem, as follows: DEAR SIR, To RICHARD WARD, ESQ., SALEM. LONDON, May 11, 1782. ing September 7 and 14, 1777, we find him attend JOHN WESLEY'S PREACHMENT. In the afternoon, walked to a street adjoining King's square to attend John Wesley's preachment; he being seated on a decent scaffold, addressed about two thousand people, consisting of the middle and lower ranks. The preacher's language was plaia and intelligible, without descending to vulgarisms. Sept. 14. In the afternoon I attended once more John Wesley, having the heavens for his canopy; he began with an extempore prayer, followed by a hymn of his own composing, and adapted to the subject of his discourse. He wears his own gray hair, or a wig so very like that my eye could not distinguish. He is not a graceful speaker, his voice being weak and harsh; he is attended by great numbers of the middling and lower classes; is said to have humanized the almost savage colliers of Kingswood, who, before his time, were almost as fierce and unmanageable as the wild beasts of the wilderness, He wears an Oxford master's gown; his attention seemingly not directed to manner and behavior,— not rude, but negligent, dress cleanly, not neat. He is always visiting the numerous societies of his own forming in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; though near eighty years old, he reads without spec tacles the smallest print. He rises at four, preaches every day at five, and once besides; an uncommon instance of physical ability. September 17, 1780, he heard Samuel Peters preach at Lincoln's Inn Chapel. "He is an indifferent speaker and composer-how he got there is as difficult to conceive as straws in amber." We group together a few of Mr. Curwen's numerous street notes and observations. Sept. 23. Walking through Old Bailey, and see to be whipped. Jack Ketch, a short sturdy man, soon appeared with the culprits, one after the other; the first seemed like an old offender, and was moderately lashed; the mob said he had bought off the minister of justice; he writhed but little. The other was young, distress painted strongly on his countenance; he cried loudly; his back seemed unused to stripes; from this time it will carry the marks of legal vengeance, and proofs of his folly and wicked Should your great and good ally obtain the two only very probable objects of her American alliance, the impoverishment of Great Britain and the consequent seizure of the late English colonies, which she seems at present in a fair way for, no man on this side the Atlantic in his wits would, I think, whatever regard he may feel for his native country, willing a great crowd, learnt that two pickpockets were ingly forego a bare subsistence here for French domination and wooden shoes there. I would just suggest to you, should America in this hour refuse the offers Great Britain may make of a separate peace; or France refuse to suffer her, (for we well know here the power she has acquired over her,) and no partition treaty take place, (being in the present situation the best to be expected,) depend upon it, you fathers of the present age will have it in their power, ere many revolutions of the sun, to tell their children the inestimable civil, religious and political privileges you of this generation have wantoned away, and with sad regret recount the happy condition of former days; nor will the comparison with those you will then mournfully experience between English protection and French oppression, fail to enhance your misery. You will then find the little finger of French power heavier than the loin of the English government, with all its apprehended train of evils As a proof of any needless fears or right ⚫ Journal and Letters of the late Samuel Curwen, Judge of Admiralty, etc., an American Refugee in England, from 1775 to 1784. comprising remarks on the prominent Men and Measures of the Period, to which are added Biographical Notices of many American Loyalists and other Eminent Persons By George Atkinson Ward. New York: C. B. Francis & Co. ness. Going forward, passed through the Strand; and returned by way of Covent Garden to see election, which had been ended and poll closed for two hours; and the elected members, returning from the procession, were just entering James'-street, mounted on two arm chairs, placed on a board that was car ried on eight men's shoulders, accompanied by thousands with tokens of victory: red and blue ribbons in their hats. Sept. 29. As I was walking in Holborn, observed a throng of ordinary people crowding round a chaise filled with young children of about seven years of age; inquiring the reason, was informed they were young sinners who were accustomed to go about in the evening, purloining whatever they could lay their hands on, and were going to be consigned into the hands of justice. Great pity that so many chil dren, capable of being trained to useful employments Sept. 5. In walking through Parliament-street and seeing crowds running through Scotland-yard, joined them, and on inquiry found they were accompanying Parson Lloyd, a cle.gyman, returned from Bow-street Justices examination to Westminster Bridewell, from whence he was taken this morning on a complaint of highway robbery; and it is said he is identified. He seemed hardened, and of a rough, bold cast, and begged with a careless boldness money of every well dressed person that passed as he was being conducted to prison in irons; his right hand being also chained to an officer's, or one of the justice's men. April 7. Passed a crowd attending procession in Parliament-street, going to take the Westminster candidate, Charles J. Fox, from his lodgings to the hustings under St. Paul's, Covent Garden, portico. First marched musicians two and two, then four men supporting two red painted poles having on top the cap of liberty of a dark blue color; to each was fastened a light blue silk standard about nine feet long and five wide, having inscribed thereon in golden letters these words, "The Man of the People;" followed by the butchers with marrow-bones and clearers; then the committee two and two, holding in their hands white wands; in the rear the carriages. They stopped at his house in St. James's-street, where taking him up, he accompanied them in Mr. Byng's carriage through Pall Mall and the Strand to the hustings, when the election proceeded; made without opposition, no competitor appearing against him. THE HISTORY OF KING PHILIP'S WAR CAPTAIN BENJAMIN CHURCH, the leader in the war against King Philip, dictated, in the latter part of his life, an account of his Indian experiences to his son Thomas, by whom, probably with little or no change, it was published in a volume. It is a valuable historical authority, and in itself, as a straightforward and spirited narrative of brave and romantic adventure, well worthy of attention. Omicron Shursh Benjamin Church was born at Duxbury, Massachusetts, in 1639, and was the first settler of Seconet or Little Compton. "Being providentially at Plymouth," he informs us, "in 1674, in the time of the court, he fell into acquaintance with Captain John Almy of Rhode Island," by whom he was invited to visit "that part of Plymouth Colony that lay next to Rhode Island, known then by their Indian names of Pocasset and Sogkonate." He did so, and purchased land, on which he settled. The next spring, while "Mr. Church was diligently settling his new farm, stocking, leasing, and disposing of his affairs, and had a fine prospect of doing no small things; and hoping that his good success would be inviting unto other good men to become his neighbours: Behold! the rumour of a war between the English and the natives, gave check to his projects." Hostilities soon commenced. A force was raised, and Church placed in command of an advanced guard. He was at the head of the party which killed King Philip, in August, 1676. He was afterwards, in September, 1689, made commander-in-chief of an expedition against the French and Indians at Casco, and again employed in a similar service in 1690, and with Governor Phipps, in 1692. After the burning of Deerfield, in 1704, he rode seventy miles to offer his services against the Indians, whom he harassed greatly at Penobscot and Passamaquoddy. After Philip's war, Colonel Church resided at Bristol, then at Fall River, and lastly at Seconet, "at each of which places he acquired and left a large estate." He maintained throughout his life the reputation of an upright and devout, as well as brave man. He married Mrs. Alice Southworth, by whom he had a daughter and five sons, and died on the seventeenth of January, 1718, in consequence of a fall from his horse, by which a blood-vessel was broken. The first edition of, The Entertaining History of King Philip's War, which began in the month of June, 1675, as also of Expeditions more lately made against the Common Enemy, and Indian Rebels, in the Eastern parts of New England: with some account of the Divine Providence towards Col. Benjamin Church: by Thomas Church, Esq., his son, was A second edition published in Boston in 1716. appeared at Newport in 1772, and a third and fourth, with notes by Samuel G. Drake, in 1825 and 1829.* A SCUFFLE. Mr. Church was moved with other wounded men, over to Rhodeisland, where in about three months' time, he was in some good measure recovered of his wounds, and the fever that attended them; and then went over to the General to take his leave of him, with a design to return home. But the General's great importunity again persuaded him to accompany him in a long march into the Nipmuck country, though he had then tents in his wounds, and so lame as not to be able to mount his horse without two men's assistance. In this march, the first thing remarkable was, they came to an Indian town, where there were many wigwams in sight, but an icy swamp, lying between then and the wigwams, prevented their running at There was much once upon it as they intended. Mr. Drake reprinted, in an 18mo, volume, in 1888: A continuation of the foregoing, from the 10th of November, 1675, to the 8th of February, 1675-6. London, 1676. A new and further narrative, from March till August, 1676. London, 1676, The Warr in New England visibly ended. London, 1677. A true account of the most considerable occurrences that have happened in the war between the English and the Indians, In New England, from the fifth of May, 1676, to the fourth of August last, London, 1676. He considers it highly probable that these five tracts, with Church's Narrative, comprise all that can be recovered in rela tion to King Philip's war. firing upon each side before they passed the swamp. But at length the enemy all fled, and a certain Mohegan, that was a friend Indian, pursued and seized one of the enemy that had a small wound in his leg, and brought him before the General, where he was examined. Some were for torturing him to bring him to a more ample confession of what he knew concerning his countrymen. Mr. Church, verily believing that he had been ingenuous in his confession, interceded, and prevailed for his escaping torture. But the army being bound forward in their march, and the Indian's wound somewhat disenabling him for travelling, it was concluded that he should be ko ked on the head. Accordingly he, was brought before a great fire, and the Mohegan that took him was allowed, as he desired, to be his executioner. Mr. Church taking no delight in the sport, framed an errand at some distance among the baggage horses, and when he had got ten rods, or thereabouts, from the fire, the executioner fetching a blow with a hatchet at the head of the prisoner, he being aware of the blow, dodged his head aside, and the executioner missing his stroke, the hatchet flew out of his hand, and had like to have done execution where it was not designed The prisoner upon his narrow escape, broke from them that held him, and notwithstanding his wound, made use of his legs, and happened to run right upon Mr. Church, who laid hold on him, and a close scuffle they had; but the Indian having no clothes on, slipped from him and ran again, and Mr. Church pursued him, although being lame there was no great odds in the race, until the Indian stumbled and fell, and then they closed again-scuffled and fought pretty smartly, until the Indian, by the advantage of his nakedness, slipped from his hold again, and set out on his third race, with Mr. Church close at his heels, endeavouring to lay hold on the hair of his head, which was all the hold could be taken of him. And running through a swamp that was covered with hollow ice, it made so loud a noise that Mr. Church expected (bat in vain) that some of his English friends would follow the noise and come to his assistance. But the Iudian happened to run athwart a large tree that lay fallen near breast high, where he stopped and cried out aloud for help. But Mr. Church being soon upon him again, the Indian seized him fast by the hair of his head, and endeavoured by twisting to break his neck. But though Mr. Church's wounds had somewhat weakened him, and the Indian a stout fellow, yet he held him in play and twisted the Indian's neck as well, and took the advantage of many opportunities, while they hung by each other's hair, gave him notorious bunts in the face with his head. But in the heat of the scuffle they heard the ice break, with somebody's coming apace to them, which when they heard, Church concluded there was help for one or other of them, but was doubtful which of them must now receive the fatal stroke-anon somebody comes up to them, who proved to be the Indian that had first taken the prisoner; and without speaking a word, he felt thein out, (for it was so dark he could not distinguish them by eight, the one being clothed and the other naked) he felt where Mr. Church's hands were fastened in the Netop's hair and with one blow settled his hatchet in between them, and thus ended the strife. He then spoke to Mr. Church and hugged him in his arms, and thanked him abundantly for catching his prisoner. He then cut off the head of his victim and carried it to the camp, and after giving an account to the rest of the friend Indians in the camp how Mr. Church had seized his prisoner, &c., they all joined in a mighty chout, DEATH OF KING PHILIP. Captain Church being now at Plymouth again, weary and worn, would have gone home to his wife and family, but the government being solicitous to engage him in the service until Philip was slain; and promising him satisfaction and redress for soine mistreatment that he had met with, he fixes for another expedition. He had soon volunteers enough to make up the company he desired, and marched through the woods until he came to Pocasset. And not seeing or hearing of any of the enemy, they went over the ferry to Rhodeisland, to refresh themselves. The Captain, with about half a dozen in his company, took horses and rode about eight miles down the island, to Mr. Sanford's, where he had left his wife. She no sooner saw him, but fainted with surprise; and by that time she was a little revived, they spied two horsemen coming a great pace. Captain Church told his company, that "Those men (by their riding) come with tidings." When they came up, they proved to be Major Sanford, and Captain Golding. They immediately asked Captain Church, what he would give to hear some news of Philip? He replied, that that was what he wanted. They told him, that they had rode hard with some hopes of overtaking him, and were now come on purpose to inform him, that there were just now tidings from Mounthope. An Indian came down from thence (where Philip's camp now was) to Sandy point, over against Trip's, and hallooed, and made signs to be fetched over. And being fetched over, he reported, that he was fled from Philip, "who (said he) has killed my brother just before I came away, for giv ing some advice that displeased him." And said, that he was filed for fear of meeting with the same his brother had met with. Told them also, that Philip was now in Mounthope neck. Captain Church thanked them for their good news, and said, that he hoped by to-morrow morning to have the rogue's head. The horses that he and his company came on standing at the door, (for they had not been unsaddled) his wife must content herself with a short visit, when such game was ahead. They immediately mounted, set spurs to their horses, and away. The two gentlemen that brought him the tidings, told him, that they would gladly wait upon him to see the event of the expedition. He thanked them, and told them, that he should be ns fond of their company as any men's; and (in short) they went with him. And they were soon ut Trip's ferry, (with Captain Church's company) where the deserter was He was a fellow of good sense, and told his story handsomely. He offered Captain Church, to pilot him to Philip, and to help to kill him, that he might revenge his brother's death. Told him, that Philip was now upon a little spot of upland, that was in the south end of the miry swamp, just at the foot of the mount, which was a spot of ground that Captain Church was well acquainted with. The By that time they were over the ferry, and came near the ground, half the night was spent. Captain commands a halt, and bringing the company together, he asked Major Sanford's and Captain Golding's advice, what method it was best to take in making the onset; but they declined giving him any advice; telling him, that his great experience and success forbid their taking upon them to give advice Then Captain Church offered Captain Golding the honour (if he would please accept of it) to bent up Philip's headquarters. He accepted the offer and had his allotted number drawn out to him, and the pilot. Captain Church's instructions to him were, to be very careful in his approach to the enemy, and be sure not to show himself, until by daylight they |