Strength of intellectual character, and largeness of views, would repel the audacious interference, and sadly balk the hopes of an aspiring demagogue.

With the above, in the case of Mr. M. was connected a quick discernment of character, and an accurate knowledge of the human heart. Men and manners he studied with much interest and success. He noticed, not without profit, the various forms in which human nature presents itself to persons who mingle much with the world, as was the fact in regard to himself. It was delightful to him to mark the operations of the intellect and heart, and his opportunities for this purpose exceeded those of most men. From the large number of his public connections and his acquaintances in private life, he was brought continually into contact with his fellow men, and that in very diversified circumstances. His field of observation was indeed large. These circumstances, connected with his professional habits, aided the natural sagacity and aptness of his mind, in tracing the lineaments of character. He consequently judged with accuracy, and successfully scanned the motives of men. He knew how to approach them, with a view to subserve the important purposes which he sought. Hence the allusion which was made by Dr. Johnson as above mentioned, to his Caledonian skill. A knowledge of human nature and human life, was of high importance to one in the stations which he occupied. It directed him to right judgments, and contributed to his success in life. It gained the confidence of the community, and laid a sure basis for an extended and lasting popularity. A knowledge of the springs of action, gives a man in any situation, a great control over others, not only by the direct exercise of that knowledge, but even at length by the conviction that he possesses it. But especially is this the case in official life. A successful, skilful public agent, is at least in orderly times, a man of the people.

A cause of public confidence may be found also in the union of moderation and firmness, by which Judge Mitchell was characterized in public life. He took a dispassionate view of things, and pursued a course of moderation, even in times of great excitement. He was not a man to commit the interests of his country or constituents, in the prosecution of wild and impracticable schemes. He loved order, propriety, and right; he aimed at the golden mean so generally praised, but so frequently lost sight of, both in public and private life. Violent and intemperate measures seldom do good; and the spirit which dictates them is harassing to the community. But moderation does not imply weakness, pusillanimity, or indecision. It may consist with firmness. It may be tenacious of truth and justice. It was so in the subject of our sketch. He was not easily deterred from pursuing the course which his judgment deemed to be correct. In his public

life, it is believed he ever evinced a commendable firmness and decision. Whoever has read the history of those times, especially the private letters which passed between the distinguished actors, must have a most thorough conviction, that the destinies of this country depended on the firm and dispassionate spirit which prevailed in our public councils. They had a noble object to gain, and yet the means of obtaining it were few and precarious. What contingencies existed in regard to the issue of measures? What interfering claims among the different States, to harmonize and settle? An extract from a letter which we have in our possession, from Charles Thompson to Mr. Mitchell, dated June 26th, 1787, will show, in a single instance, what qualities were required in the critical period of forming the national government.

** *** ** ** "I am glad to hear the delegates from your State will come on as soon as their attendance is found necessary. There are now five States attending, and I have written to Philadelphia, to the delegates of two States, who assured me they would attend as soon as there was a prospect of making a Congress. I expect them here to-morrow or next day, and am not without hopes of their bringing with them a third State, if so, your State will make nine, which will be competent to the great business of the Union. I therefore earnestly wish you to come on immediately. In my opinion, the honor and safety of the confederacy, greatly depends on the meeting and continuance of congress in session. ******** Whatever expectations politicians may indulge from the wisdom and magnanimity of the convention, I think they will be mistaken in their hopes of finding all our difficulties at once removed. I entertain as high an opinion as any one can or ought to entertain of the wisdom and rectitude of that assembly; but considering the temper of the times, and the present situation of affairs at home and abroad, I cannot help thinking that the happy issue of their deliberations, and the peace and safety of the confederacy, greatly depends on the meeting of congress and their continuance in session, and keeping up the form of government until the new plan which may be devised, shall have been adopted." The calm and decided measures of the wise and prudent only, could conduct the confederacy to a happy issue.

The sterling integrity of Judge Mitchell's character, should also, and in an especial manner, be brought into account here. It elicited, as it also justified, the confidence which was reposed in him by the public. It was christian integrity,-conscientiousness based on a regard for God and his word, and this dictated no other than a patriotic and disinterested course of public life. Neither interest, passion, nor a love of popularity, seems ever to have influenced the purposes or the decisions of his mind, in his official

career. If ever a man was free from the common charges of corruption in political life, he was so. His honest and honorable aims; his purity and consistency could not be doubted. They were depicted in his very countenance, and breathed in the intonations of his voice. His uprightness and generosity; his solicitude to serve the interests of the public, were too sincere to permit him to stoop to the common and base arts of political chicanery. He had no feuds to foster, no enmities to indulge, no rivals to put down. His only rivals were the magnanimous men, who strove together to confer blessings on their country. Guided and controlled by a pure principle,-by a single and simple purpose to do what was right, both in the legislative and judicial functions which he exercised, we readily see, how, in connection with the other characteristics of his public life, he secured the confidence and approbation of the better portion of the community.

But we love to contemplate a public man in the privacy of retirement; mingling with his family and neighbors in unrestrained intercourse. Is he beloved here? Is his kindly influence felt in the domestic circle, and in the vicinity of his home? Is the approved or venerated incumbent of office consistent and exemplary in this condition? Is he pure and amiable, cheerful and affectionate, decided and condescending in the intimacies of private life; in communion with those who see him every day? We are happy to be able to state, that Judge Mitchell was a bright example of the domestic and social virtues.

In the phraseology of the world, he was a fortunate man. With the exception of providential bereavements in his family, which however were many in the latter portion of his life, he was permitted to attain most of those objects which mankind value. His success in life exceeded that of most men. In worldly comforts, in social connections, and in political advancement, he must have realized whatever a wise man can consistently desire. He met with many favoring events, and was thrown into circumstances where his talents were called for, and where he had the privilege of exerting a beneficial influence on large numbers of his fellowcitizens. Now we do not attribute his worldly prosperity, or any portion of it, to chance or destiny; for we believe in no such divinity. It was owing to a propitious providence,* connected with

* How much of this prosperity and the divine favor, was owing instrumentally to the agency of an eminently godly mother, on her dying bed, we leave for the consideration of those who believe in the efficacy of prayer, and of a consecration of children to God. As the incident was accidentally omitted in the proper place, we would mention here, that the mother of Mr. M, when near her end, was asked if she did not wish to see her little son, then living at a short distance from home, and give him her parting blessing. To this she replied in the negative, assigning as the reason, that the sight of him would only recal the VOL. VIII.

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bis own exertions, his seizure of the critical and promising turns of life; events that occur perhaps to most men, oftener than they are improved. If we may judge from his private correspondence, he was greatly a matter-of-fact-man. He was guided by settled, practical principles; weighed carefully the tendency of measures; and applied his various experience in life to its various exigencies. Proceeding on such a plan, he naturally met with success in the improvement of providential openings. This course he seems to have urged on his children, recommending it in connection with prayer to God, and dependence on his all-sufficiency. These he felt to be necessary for them in the great duties and emergencies of life.

In the more intimate and endearing relations which he sustained, he was all in affection and kindness, that could be desired. The calls of public business separated him often from the scene of his most valued enjoyments, the spot which of all others he loved the best,-home and the family circle. Yet he cheerfully obeyed the summons of duty abroad, and through a protracted period, was necessarily employed in other than domestic cares. At the era in which he was in active life, it was not a time to indulge in soft delights and gentle cares at home, when every thing was at stake in the forming crisis of a nation's existence. Strong as he felt the social tie to be, he could forego its endearments, when the common good demanded the sacrifice. Yet he always returned to the beloved circle, with a renovated interest in its scenes, duties, and enjoyments. Judge Mitchell relinquished the career which, as a legislator, he had so long pursued, with heart-felt satisfaction; remarking in a letter to his wife, just before leaving Philadelphia, that he felt once more at his liberty, and that the public call had no more a command in it for him.'

The cordiality and the warmth of his feelings and attachments, were also an obvious trait of his character in private life. They were indicated by his manner in conversation, and in the general style of his intercourse with his friends. His familiar acquaintance had every reason to be satisfied with a friendship towards them, and a disposition to serve them, as sincere and pure as were ever felt. In his presence, modest merit was never abashed, but was awakened into confidence in itself, by his effectual and honest approbation. He did not more readily see, than heartily encourage,

desire of continued life. She could commend him to God, without seeing his face again in this world. This she accordingly did, in a fervent and importunate prayer, invoking the divine prosperity and blessing on her little one, soon to be left motherless. Mr. M. ever believed, that his success in life was connected with this act of solemn dedication to God, on the part of a dying mother. This persuasion, in every case, of a particular providence, was remarkably strong.

the indications of talent and moral excellence in others, especially in the young.

In his affable and condescending manners, and the lively interest which he took in the company that visited him, and in subjects of conversation, were presented a specimen of the gentleman and the host of the earlier and perhaps better times. His highly sociable qualities rendered him agreeable to all classes. Dignity was united with courtesy; good breeding with perfect plainness. Every thing about him was unadorned, unassuming.

"In himself was all his state." Elevated in station, he seemed never to be conscious of it. With his neighbors, he mingled in most familiar intercourse, and appeared on equal terms with the most humble individuals that approached him. He was so far from hauteur, or the affectation of consequence, that it was perhaps, impossible for one to be farther from it. None seemed to feel any other restraint before him, than that which a spontaneous veneration of his character dictated. He entered cordially into the situation of others, and in the tone and spirit of his conversation, made one feel, that his own mind was much enlisted in their behalf. We have admired at times, to see the freshness and buoyancy of his spirit in extreme old age,-how quickly upon occasions, his sympabties and his sensibilities broke forth,-how the associations of other days, the love of knowledge, the kindlings of patriotic enthusiasm, have seemed to revive, or retain in his mind a portion of their wonted power.

Benevolence adorned, as it constituted, an ingredient in the character of judge Mitchell. As expressed in cheerful services rendered for the benefit of others, it was an habitual exercise. The spirit of disinterestedness, was wrought into his very moral texture. Acts of kindness, were put forth whenever opportunities were presented. He particularly delighted in witnessing the elevation of others, and in forwarding whenever he could, the rise in station and character, of families and individuals. Instances might be related, if it were proper in this place, where his agency was employed in effecting objects so grateful to his generous feelings. Afflicted in the deaths of the larger part of his family, principally in middle life, and thus deprived of the gratification which he might otherwise have expected from them, he felt not the less interested in the welfare of other families. The depressing effect of bereavements, on no occasions, manifested itself in selfish complaints, or in a morbid indifference to the joys or the griefs of his fellow creatures. He knew better the secret of inward enjoyment, and the duty which he owed to God and man. He knew

"that good the more Communicated, more abundant grows."