but pleaded effectually against some suspicions of his patriotism, which had been excited during his absence, and which he found himself obliged to combat after his return to his native country. For though possessed of a disposition calculated to render him happy as a citizen of the world, and though enjoyment equalled expectation, his attachment to his native land was not diminished. He returned in 1779. Landing at Rhode-Island, and residing there while it was a station for a large body of French troops, he rendered them such signal services, that they were announced to the royal ear. The French king's sentiments of their importance, and of the benevolence of their author, were, by his order, conveyed, in a very polite letter from his minister in the United States, to Mr. Brattle. In 1784, the obstacles to his return into his native state being surmounted, he took possession of his patrimony. This he assiduously improved and embellished; and, by his urbanity and hospitality, rendered a pleasing resort both of friends and strangers. Horticulture was his favourite pursuit. He superintended all his plans for amelioration. These were not confined to his own property, but extended-to the roads, walks, publick buildings, and conveniences in his vicinity. His last labour of this kind was employed in directing and superintending the construction of a bathing place in Charles river-erected especially with a view to preserve the lives of the students of the University, to a number of whom, at different periods, that river had proved fatal. Mr. Brattle's taste and judgment were frequently consulted, and their effects became subjects of the warmest approbation. His humanity and charity gave employment to the labourer; cordials to the sick; and relief to the distressed. He was honoured as a man of science, as well as humanity, by being elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, of the Historical, the Agricultural, and the Humane Societies. For several years before his death, his health visibly declined. In December, 1800, an incipient mortification made its appearance in one of his feet, which baffled the art of the best physicians. He foresaw, and met with the utmost utmost calmness, his approaching dissolution. On the 7th of February following, he expired; and on the 11th his remains were respectfully entombed. The following summary character, drawn by a gentleman,* who had long been in habits of intimacy with Mr. Brattle, was published in the Columbian Centinel of February 11th, 1801. "Major Brattle was one of those men, who prudently choose the middle way of life. His family connexion, which is of ancient respectability, and his fortune, which was ample, afforded him the advantage of describing his own sphere of life. A correct judgment, founded in a good natural understanding, and a liberal education led him to avoid extending it beyond what he could fill with propriety. This cautious mode of conduct assured to him the approbation of those, who knew him. Without vainly attempting things beyond his reach, he studied to improve the talents committed to his charge, and, by a perfect acquaintance with them, rendered himself peculiarly useful to society and agreeable to his friends. His reading and travel enabled him to place a just estimate on the world. Major Brattle exercised a deep reverence to the principles of government, and was a cheerful subject of the laws. He respected men of science as the richest ornament of their country. If he had ambition, it was to excel in acts of hospitality, benevolence, and charity. "The dazzling splendour of heroes, and the achievements of political intrigue, passed unnoticed before him; but the character of the man of benevolence filled his heart with emotions of sympathy. "When he was in Europe, in the time of the late war, his assiduous liberality, in relieving the distresses of his countrymen, who were prisoners, drew upon him the attention of many good men. As a compliment to his feelings, exhibited on that occasion, a fine piece of painting was presented to him, the picture of the "Man of Ross," celebrated by Mr. Pope, "Behold the market-place with poor o'erspread, * Hon. James Sullivan, Esq. The The lineaments of charity on that face were ever contemplated by the Major with peculiar delight. He loved agriculture and gardening, because in those he rendered himself useful to his country. His table was filled with the best viands, and his side-board with the choicest wines-This was a luxury to him, because his friends enjoyed it :-he was moderate, and latterly abstemious himself. In his death, the sick, the poor, and the distressed, have lost a liberal benefactor; politeness an ornament; and philanthropy one of its most discreet and generous supporters. Major Brattle's life, as to morals, was irreproachable; he revered the religion of the bible, and frequently honoured his character by appealing to its precepts as the rule of his religion." g. m. NOTICE OF EZEKIEL PRICE, ESQUIRE, MEMBER OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. BEFOR EFORE the revolution Mr. Price was the confidential secretary of several of the governours of the province. Soon after independence was declared, he was appointed clerk of the courts of common pleas and sessions for the county of Suffolk; in which services, as well as those of notary publick and magistrate, he remained twenty years. He was also, for a long time, chairman of the board of selectmen for the town of Boston. And in these, and many other stations, he acted his part well in society; until that decay, which so often attends the age of threescore years and ten, made it necessary for him to retire to his family. In private life he was amiable, as in publick he was useful. April 30th, 1793, he was elected a member of the Historical Society, to which he was a liberal benefactor. He died July 15th, 1802, aged seventy-four years. j. t. d. CHARACTER OF THE HON. GEORGE RICHARDS MINOT, Esq. JUDGE OF PROBATE IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, AND JUDGE OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT IN BOSTON: EXTRACTED FROM AN ELOGY DELIVERED A FEW DAYS AFTER HIS DEATH. A S the virtues of George Richards Minot were the fruits of early cultivation, in delineating his character, it is necessary to begin with the period of infancy. The youngest child of respectable parents, and descended from a line of honourable ancestors*, he was born under auspicious circumstances†. That peculiar tenderness, with which the youngest child is treated in affectionate families‡, he was so happy as to experience. From the beginning he was an object, who employed the care and engaged the hearts of his numerous relatives. On a mind naturally good kindness has the best effects. Though it is confessed that many infants have been injured by improper indulgence, yet others have been ruined by vexations and undue severity. The love, which he received from all who surrounded him, early moulded his heart to that benevolence, which formed so distinguishing a part of his character during every period of his life. In the ninth year of his age he was admitted into the South Latin school in Boston, at that time under the superintendance of Mr. Lovell, a gentleman of classical knowledge and exquisite taste. As I was always convinced that this eminent instructer had a large share in forming the character of my friend, I enjoy a melancholy satisfaction in mentioning his name, and in paying the tribute of grateful respect to his memory. In this seminary young Minot was soon distinguished for his diligence in study, his kindness to his school fellows, and his respect to the masters. There were contracted his earliest friendships, which by him were not forgotten * See Note I. at the end of this article. + Born in Boston, Dec. 22d. 1758, the youngest of ten children. ‡ See Note II. § July, 1767. forgotten till the last moment of his life. Long before his literary course was completed, he was known to be the favourite pupil of his instructer, though no boy felt any envy on that account, convinced of his superiour claims to distinction. This notice naturally led him to be watchful in his conduct, that he might not lose that esteem, which he had so happily obtained. Discretion marked his whole deportment; and even at that age there was a decorum, and I may almost say, a dignity, in his behaviour, which was uncommon for his years. When the important moment approached, in which he was to leave school, he was not only called upon by his master to compose his own oration, a task which, I believe, is expected seldom or never to be executed by a boy himself, and which he actually performed, but he was also enjoined to assist more than one of his classmates in the same work. These circumstances, which I dwell on, because I suppose that they are not now generally known, contributed to form his character; and there were also several other causes, which conduced to the same end. Among these might be particularly mentioned the good fortune of possessing a father of a liberal education, who attended in part to his instruction at home; and who allowing no more moments for recreation, than those which were absolutely necessary for the preservation of his health, kept him constantly employed the rest of his time either in study or business; the mild and affectionate demeanour of an excellent mother, who cultivated with assiduity his amiable heart-but above all, the example of an elder brother, Francis Minot, a gentleman of great purity and elevation of sentiment. This model of every thing which was worthy was constantly before his eyes; and his highest ambition was to copy into his own character those traits, which rendered his brother the object of the veneration and love of all who knew him. Greatly would it have contributed to his peace of mind, if he had not been deprived of this brother at an early age*. But death had not power to destroy the effect of the example; for whilst * Francis Minot died Dec. 1774, aged 28. with |