T

WITH A PORTRAIT.

O the greater part of men, the history of a private citizen is uninteresting. It is generally too barren of incident to afford novelty, or excite curiosity; and its examples are too obscure to enlist prejudice, or to gratify malice. There are some, however, who delight to trace the tenour of a well spent life; to whom its progress from innocence to virtue is at once pleasing and instructive: And when virtues are freed from the suspicion of weakness, by an alliance with a vigorous and comprehensive mind, they become interesting and worthy of observation-on account of their singularity, at least-for, in looking round among the living and the dead, we are compelled to acknowledge, that we find very few substan tially and independently good.

GEORGE RICHARDS MINOT, the subject of our present memoir, was the youngest son of Mr. Stephen Minot, a very respectable merchant. He was born in Boston, in 1758. His youth presents a series of depressing embarrassments, which thwarted the inclination he discovered at an early age for a learned profession. The fortune of his father was straitened by unsuccessful adventures; and the political condition of our country, at that time extremely unpropitious to literary occupations, exhibited the appearances of hostility and revolution to a boy of weak and declining health.

To poverty, the times, and personal infirmity, Mr. Minot successfully opposed ardent ambition and unwearied perseverance. In 1774 he entered Harvard University,. where he received the highest honours which classmates or instructors could bestow. taking the degree of Master of Arts, he made the valedictory oration, which was much admired for pure and elegant Latinity.

On

Leaving Cambridge, he returned to Boston, and entered himself a student at law. During his pupilage he devoted his hours of relaxation to the most accomplished Latin and English historians, and to the study of the purest models of style and composition.

In 1782 Mr. Minot was admitted to the bar. He possessed a clearness and distinctness of perception; a readiness of mind, which could freely apply its capacities, unembarrassed `ny pursuit ; and a love of

labour, adapted to extensive acquisition in his profession. His elocution was manly, elegant, and deliberate. He had a winning manner, but wanted assurance; he wanted the uncourteous retort and the spirit which exults in litigation and tumult. From this cause, though a respectable advocate and valued counsellor, he never gained at the bar a reputation equal to his general talents.

At the request of the inhabitants of Boston, Mr. Minot delivered an oration on the anniversary of the Boston Massacre. This oration is now forgotten, with the occasion which produced it. He was one of an association of gentlemen, that founded the Boston Magazine" the earliest periodical paper of much celebrity, in NewEngland. Under the direction of Mr. Minet and his friends, it possessed a degree of mérit which has not been exceeded by any subsequent work of the kind.

Mr. Minot's first considerable literary production was "The History of the Rebellion in Massachusetts, in 1786." In the office of clerk of the House of Representatives, which he then held, he had access to every authentick document relative to the causes which produced the rebellion. This induced an attempt to write on a subject so deeply interesting to every citizen of the Commonwealth, and so well understood by himself. To this undertaking he was competent; and his success surpassed his own expectations and the anticipations of his friends. The historian was cool, sagacious

and reflecting. Aloof from the prejudices of party, he thought as a citizen of the world. All praised his veracity and impar tiality, and none were offended by his representations. The work was universally commended for lucid and connected narration, elegant and perspicuous style. This repu, tation introduced the author to the notice of men of learning and talents; and from that time, he numbered amongst his friends many of the most distinguished characters of our country.*

Mr. Minot filled several civil offices con'nected with his profession. He was Judge of Probate and Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Suffolk, and Judge of the Municipal Court of Boston; all of which he sustained with the character of judicial skill and strict probity.

The next important work which Mr. Minot wrote was "The History of the Prov ince of Massachusetts-Bay," from the year 1748 to 1765, comprehending a period very little known even by men of literature. He shews in this work, that the germe of sove reignty was inserted in the nature and constitution of the colony; that its increase to pational greatness necessarily induced national independence; which was gradually approaching, by the laws of political progression, and could not be much retarded or

As an instance of exemption from the reproach of indif ference to letters, which perhaps has been too freely bestowed On our countrymen, it may be mentioned, that the profits of the History of the Rebellion, after defraying its expenses, exceeded one hundred pounds.

accelerated by adventitious circumstances. He describes the struggles of Massachusetts against the treachery of the Indians and the jealousy of the French, and traces the union formed between the neighbouring states by a community of danger. The .condition of a young province, successfully contending with powerful and insidious neighbours, like the infant Hercules of the fable, gives an interesting presage of the manly vigour which it afterward attained. From the want of writers cotemporary with the period of it, and the accidental destruction of the records of the government, the History of Massachusetts was the result of long investigation and severe labour. It was, however, happily accomplished. Those who have read it think it authentick, judidicious and elegant; but the greater part of the copies remain on the shelves of the bookseller.

His Eulogy on Washington is fresh in the minds of his fellow-citizens. It is sufficient to say, that it was not excelled by any of the numerous addresses which that occasion produced; and that the splendid and impressive manner in which it was spoken will not soon be forgotten by those who heard him.

Fortune began now to smile upon the man who found, in his own mind, relief against the neglect with which she had hitherto treated him. The writings of Mr. Minot were well received by the publick. Habitual temperance and unremitted at