the life and character of Hale, attractive to a laudable curiosity, that like the dust into which his manly frame has been dissipated, must lie hidden forever from our knowledge—we were but poorly equipped. Many things, to be written down, it is true, were plain-were easy of arrangement, and caused no embarrassment to our pen. But other things again, worthy of record, were wrapt in gloom. There were points, hitherto in dispute, to be settled. There were points, unknown when we commenced our labor, to be developed in the progress, and by the process of examination. Side by side then, or stretched out in links seemingly incapable of connection, we placed our various materials-many of them scraps merely of information, atomic, insulated, and wholly unpromising of results. Comparison and contrast gradually shed light upon them. They grew related. They knit together. Little family groups of affiliated facts and conclusions started up from their midst, and ever and anon, as new and pleasant merchandise, aided to load up the train of our biography. So we proceeded, on to our journey's end-slowly—but sure. ly, we would fain believe-with all the certainty that could attend our steps, and where it did not, certain of our uncertainty. We have at last, consequently, cut a road for all who wish to travel over the life of Hale-not a long one to those who may pursue it-nor tedious, we fain would trust. We have not, it will be observed, set up thickly along in its course the posts of authorities, but content ourselves with erecting one large and general one at our point of departure-here in this Preface in the paragraphs just above. every traveller in our track be satisfied? Therewith will not We trust that he will. Some notes he will find by the way, but they are made, chiefly, to illustrate the text-seldom for the purpose of proving its genuineness. A Genealogy of the Family of Nathan Hale, now for the first time published, will also be found. It is from the pen of a gentleman, to whom we have already alluded as one of the grandnephews of the subject of this Memoir-the Rev. EDWARD E. HALE, of Worcester, Massachusetts. Prepared, as it has been, with great labor of research, with scrupulous judgment,. and skill of arrangement, it forms a most valuable addition to the present volume, and can not prove otherwise than acceptable, to all especially of the Hale blood. Our own obligations to its worthy author for the pains he has taken in its execution, and for its gratuitous use in our pages, are deep and abiding. Pictorial illustrations also the Reader will find-views, first of Hale's Birth-Place-second, of Hale and his brothers playing the forbidden game of Morris-third of his entering New York with his Prize Sloop-fourth, of his passing in disguise within the Camp of the Enemy-fifth, of his Capture—sixth, of his march to Execution-seventh, of his Camp Basket, and Camp Bookeighth, of his Monument—and ninth, of Andre. Save the first view, which, chiefly, is copiéd from one by J. W. Barber Es quire in his "Historical Collections of Connecticut," and that of the Monument, procured originally by the Secretary of the "Hale Association," and that of Andre, from a copy of the one in the Trumbull Gallery at New Haven-they have all been designed under the eye of the author of this work-in the first instance for his own gratification simply-as an ornament for his parlor and without reference to publication. The second owes its origin to the skilful pencil of Henry Bryant, artist, of Hartford. The third is from the quick and ingenious hand of W. M. B. Hartley Esquire, of New York. The rest were designed by Joseph Ropes, a highly accomplished artist, also of Hartford, Connecticut. They have all been copied and impressed, with most praiseworthy care, at the excellent Lithographic Establishment of E. B., and E. C. Kellogg, also of Hartford. That his labor may prove grateful, and instruct the patriotism of the Reader, and move his noblest sensibilities in behalf of one, "The pride of Peace, the rising hope of War," who, in a crisis of danger the most appalling, gave up youth, hope, ambition, love, life, all, for his native land, is the fervent wish of the author of the following pages. Through these, NATHAN HALE, the illustrious MARTYR-SPY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, asks to be remembered by his countrymen. I. W. STUART. CHARTER OAK PLACE, Nov. 30th, 1855. CONTENTS. HALE's birth, family, and birth place. His early training. He prepares for College. He enters Yale. His career in College. He graduates, and takes a school in East Haddam, Conn. His occupations there. He removes to New London, and continues to teach. His feelings and ability as an instructor. The manner in which he spent CHAP. II. The Lexington Alarm. Hale gives up his school, and joins the army as a volunteer. His motives in doing so. Is stationed for a while at New London. Leaves for Boston. The prospect before him. Joins the brigade of Gen. Sullivan. His life for six months in the Camp |