[ 22 j
which are inherent in the very nature of popular
governments, did he in the course of his life lose ei,-
ther his independence of mind, or in any degree
his honours or his influence. It is believed that he
enjoyed, at his death, the public confidence to as
great an extent as any other individual in the state
did, and was, both as a statesman and a lawyer, on
the high road to the first honours and emoluments
which his country had to bestow. But he is gone.
His days were as the grass; as a flower of the field
so he flourished: the wind passed over him, and he is
gone; and his place in his family, among his nunmer-
ous friends, in the courts of law, in the councils of
the nation, shall no more be occupied by him.
  And, Oh, my friends and fellow mortals! this
would be a day of gloom and of sorrow indeed,
could we not add-'"But the mercy of the Lord is
from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear
him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
to such as keep his covenant, and to those that re-
member his comrnandinents to do them."
  Nor was he cult off alone. Another very tender,
but fair anad pro miisin,-. flowver, from the same stock,
was plucked up by the root, and torn from the em-
braces of a family, who had just begun to recover a
little strength from the prostration occasioned by the
loss of him, who was, so far as worldly arrange-
ments were concerned, their chief strength and
hope.
  MARY AN-N CASTLEMAN, whose prospects, as to all
the real. enjoyments of this life, were as flattering