Congregational Church, but owing to ill health his plans were changed, and he studied law. He was admitted to practice in 1831, and immediately established himself at Wallingford. While there he became an Episcopalian, and as he was somewhat known as a contributor to various church periodicals, the convention of the diocese in 1836 elected him to edit a church paper to be established in New Haven. The paper was called the Chronicle of the Church, and was edited by Dr. Chapin for eight years. During this time he resumed his theological studies, and was ordained in 1838. He was rector of Christ Church, West Haven, until 1850, at which time he removed to Glastenbury, and was rector of St. Luke's Church until 1855, when, owing to infirmities, he was obliged to relinquish active pastoral duties. He removed to this city, and has since been engaged in editing the Calendar. His editorial duties were commenced, however, over a year previous to his removal from Glastenbury. Besides numerous contributions to magazines and reviews, Dr. Chapin was frequently before the public as the author of books and pamphlets. Among the former may be mentioned, "A View of the Organization and Order of the Primitive Church," "Views of Gospel Truth," " Glastenbury for Two Hundred Years," and a "Classical Spelling Book." His pamphlets are quite numerous.-New Haven Palladium, July 10th. At Albany, N. Y., July 15th, Hon. JOHN N. WILDER, a prominent citizen of that city, died suddenly, of apoplexy. Mr. Wilder, says the Evening Post, "was well known in this State as a gentleman of high personal and social qualities and of fine acquirements. He was a retired merchant, and resided at Ballston Springs, devoting his time to philanthropic and literary pursuits. He was the president of the Board of Trustees of the University of Rochester, and was one of its first and principal donors. He delivered a poem before the literary societies of that institution at the Commencement of 1857, which displayed much scholarship as well as a happy faculty of versification and a very genial flow of humor. In this poem he paid a fine tribute to the memory of Governor Marcy, of whom he was a warm and long devoted personal friend, and who had, just before, died at the Sansouci Hotel at Ballston, where Mr. Wilder and his family resided, by an attack as sudden and unforeseen as that which has now proved fatal to his friend and eulogist. Mr. Wilder was, in his politics, connected with the American party, and supported Mr. Fillmore in the last Presidential campaign, but his affinities and sympathies were Republican, and he could hardly be called a politician. Mr. Wilder was much interested in the temperance cause, and was also one of the trustees of the Dudley Observatory. His death will be sincerely deplored by the very large eircle of friends throughout this State, to whom he was endeared by his unassuming manners, his genial accomplishments, and the purity of his character." At Natchez, Miss., July 17th, Gen. JOHN ANTHONY QUITMAN, of disease contracted at the National Hotel in Washington, at the time of Mr. Buchanan's inauguration. Gen. Quitman was the son of a Protestant clergyman, and was born at Rhinebeck, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1799. He was educated at the Cooperstown Seminary and Mount Airey College, near Philadelphia. In 1820 he travelled on foot to Pittsburgh, and thence took a flat boat down the Ohio. He settled in Chillicothe, and there studied law with Mr. Platt Bush. Embarking again in a flat boat he went down the Mississippi, stopped at Natchez, and there entered into a law partnership with Mr. Wm. B. Griffith. In 1824 he married Miss Eliza Turner, the only daughter of Henry Turner, of Virginia, who still survives him, with one son and four daughters. In 1827 Mr. Quitman was elected democratic representative to the Mississippi legislature, and was placed on the Judiciary Committee. The succeeding year, at the age of 29, he was appointed Chancellor of the State. In 1835 he was elected to the State Senate. During that year the Governorship became vacant by death, and Mr. Quitman was elected by the Senate to fill his place. In 1836 Judge Quitman took command of a body of volunteers to go to the assistance of the Texans, who then, under the command of Gen. Houston, were retreating before the victorious forces of Santa Anna. The victory of San Jacinto, however, occurred three days before he reached them. In 1839 he went to Europe, and on his return was offered the Judgeship of the High Court of Errors and Appeals, but he declined it, and returned to the practice of his profession. In 1838 he was appointed Major of the Second Division of the Mississippi militia, and at once entered upon the work of reforming the military code of the State. In 1846, at the opening of the Mexican War, Gen. Quitman was appointed one of the six brigadier-generals to command the volunteer force. He reached Gen. Taylor just before the attack on Monterey, and being assigned a position in the attacking force, was the first to enter the city. Gen. Quitman was afterwards transferred to Gen. Scott's command, and was at the capture of Vera Cruz, and continued in active service through the whole of that campaign. On the road to Puebla he received his on the various subjects of State interest of which it treats. The Journals of Madam Knight and the Rev. Mr. Journey of Madam Knight from Boston to New commission from the President, as Major-Gen. At Chapultepec he led the assault on the batteries on the south side. He was the first to reach the Garita of Balen, a little after midnight, held the position against all odds, and at seven the next morning hoisted the American flag on the National Palace of the city. Gen. Scott appointed him Governor of the city, but he was soon recalled to Washington to assist in arranging the occupation of the conquered territory. Gen. Quitman, however, did not return to Mexico. In 1850 he was elected Governor of Mr. Theodore Dwight, the editor of the origihis State. Since that time he has been among nal edition of Madam Knight's Journal, had the leaders of the various movements to effect a placed a copy of it in our hands not long before revolution in Cuba. In 1855 he entered Con- the appearance of the reprint in Littell's Living gress as representative for the fifth district of Age, together with six leaves of the original Mississippi, to which office he was reelected in manuscript, all that now remains of it. Mr. 1857, without opposition. Speaker Banks ap- Deane has collected considerable information pointed him Chairman of the Committee on respecting the author, from which it appears Military Affairs, and Speaker Orr has continued that she was a daughter of Thomas Kemble, of him in the same position, for which his know- Charlestown, Mass., who is mentioned as the ledge and experience of military affairs eminent-consignee of a London mercantile house in 1651. ly qualified him. In politics Gen. Quitman was He afterwards resided in Boston, where his a leader of the ultra southern school of politicians. daughter, Sarah Kemble, was born April 19th, The general appearance of Gen. Quitman was 1666. Her husband, Richard Knight, was also exceedingly dignified and venerable. He was of Boston. Their only daughter was married to over six feet in height, and strongly built. His Colonel John Livingston, of New London, Conn., hair was iron-grey in color, his forehead high in 1713, who had been previously married to the and arching, his eye grey, small, and piercing. daughter of Governor Fitzjohn Winthrop, also New York Evening Post, July 19th. of New London. Notices of New Publications. Disturnell's New York State Register for 1858. In the preface to this seasonable and well executed work it is stated that ten years have elapsed since the publication of a State Register in New York. As in even the smallest States of the Union such publications are well supported and esteemed a great convenience to the public, it seems strange that none has existed for so long a period in the "Empire State." But the want is at length supplied by Mr. Disturnell's very satisfactory volume, which contains much desirable information concerning the government and institutions of this great community, together with a National Register, and a mass of statistical and other useful details. We are glad to learn from the publisher that the Register has been well received and patronized in all parts of the State, so that it may be safe to reckon on its regular annual appearance hereafter. It cannot fail to find a place in the library, office, and counting-room of every New Yorker who wishes to keep himself informed At the time of the journey of Madam Knight Colonel Livingston's first wife was living, and is mentioned in the following extract from the journal: "We went from New Haven upon the ice (the ferry not being passable thereby) and the Rev. Mr. Pierepont with Madam Prout, Cuzin Trowbridge and divers others were taking leave. Wee went onward without anything remarkable till we came to New London and lodged again at Mr. Saltonstall's-and here I dismist my guide, and my generous entertainer provided me Mr. Samuel Rogers of that place to go home with me. I stayed a day here longer than I intended by the commands of the Honorable Governor Winthrop, to stay and take a supper with him, whose wonderful civility I may not omit. The next morning I crossed the ferry to Groton, having had the honor of the company of Madam Livingston (who is the Governor's daughter) and Mary Christophers and divers others to the boat and that night lodged at Stonington, and had Rost Beef and pumpkin sause for supper." Pp. 66-67. This journey of Madam Knight from Boston to New York and back was performed in 1704, on horseback, and occupied fourteen or fifteen days, the distance by the route she pursued being estimated to be 271 miles. She gives in her journal (says Mr. Deane) "graphic descriptions of the manners and customs of all classes, and poetic glimpses of her travels through forests, fording of rivers, and climbing of hills by night and by day. On her journey she was the guest of some of the principal personages of the day." An article of Blackwood's Magazine in 1826, entitled " Travelling in America," appears to have been suggested by this journal, from which it gives various extracts. The following is a part of Madam Knight's description of New York: "The Cittie of New York is a pleasant, well compacted place, situated on a commodious river which is a fine harbor for shipping. The buildings brick generally, very stately and high, though not altogether like ours in Boston. The bricks in some of the houses are of divers colors, and laid in checkers, being glazed look very agreeable. The inside of them are neat to admiration, the wood work, for only the walls are plastered, and the Sumers and Gist are plained and kept very white, scowered as so is all the partitions if made of boards. They are generally of the Church of England, and have a New England gentleman for their Minister, and a very fine church set out with all customary requisites. There are also a Dutch and divers conventicles as they call them, viz., Baptist, Quakers, &c. They are not strict in keeping the Sabbath as in Boston and other places where I had bin, but seem to deal with great exactness as far as I see or dealt with [them]. They are sociable to one another and courteous and civil to strangers, and fare well in their houses. The English go very fashionable in their dress. But the Dutch, especially the middling sort, differ from our women, in their habitt go loose, wear French muches which are like a capp, and a head band in one, leaving their ears bare, which are sett out with jewells of a large size and many in number, and their fingers hoopt with rings, some with large stones in them of many colors, as were their pendants in their ears, which you should see any old women wear as well as young. "They have vendues very frequently and make their earnings very well by them, for they treat with good liquor liberally, and the customers drink as liberally, and generally pay for't as well by paying for that which they bid up briskly for after the sack has gone plentifully about, tho' sometimes good pennyworths are got there. Their diversions in the winter is riding sleys about three or four miles out of town, where they have houses of entertainment at a place called the Bowery, and some go to friends houses who handsomely treat them. Mr. Burroughs carried his spouse and daughter and myself out to one Madame Dowes, a gentlewoman that lived at a farm-house, who gave us a handsome entertainment of five or six dishes and choice beer and metheglin cider, &c., all of which she said was the produce of her farm. I believe we met 50 or 60 slays that day-they fly with great swiftness and some are so furious that they'll turn out of the path for none except a loaden cart. Nor do they spare for any diversion the place affords, and sociable to a degree, their tables being as free to their naybour as to themselves. They were making great preparations to receive their Governor Lord Cornbury from the Jerseys, and for that end raised the militia to guard him ashore to the fort." Pp. 53-56. 66 In travelling through Westchester Madam Knight mentions "New Rochell" as being & very pretty place, well compact and good handsome houses," etc. "Thence we travelled through Merrinak [Mamaroneck] a neat though little place, with a navigable river before it, one of the pleasantest I ever see. Here were good buildings, especially one, a very fine seat, which they told me was Col. Hethcoat's, who I had learned was a very fine gentleman.* From hence we come to Horse Neck where we baited, and they told me that one Church of England parson officiated in all these three towns once every Sunday in turns throughout the year," eto. Pp. 58-59. At Eastchester she complains of being obliged to drink hot milk sweetened with molasses, the effect of which was to make her sick at the stomach; and at Stratford "the pumpkin and Indian mixed bread had such an aspect" that she could not eat it. But at Norwalk, says the Journal, "about 12 at noon we arrived and had a dinner of fryed venison, very savoury." From these extracts a tolerable idea may be formed of the character of this curious journal, which deserves all the pains Mr. Deane has bestowed in illustrating its details. A new edition of it in a separate form would not be amiss. The Life of John Fitch, the Inventor of the Steamboat. BY THOMPSON WESTCOTT. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1857, 12mo, pp. 415. The author presents us with a clear and detailed account of the Life of Fitch. He claims for Fitch the honor of being the first to apply steam to the propulsion of vessels. He says, ments in 1786, 1787, 1788 and 1789, and which, "reliance must be placed upon Fitch's experiin 1790, were crowned by the practical proofs afforded by the passages of a packet, passenger and freight steamboat on the Delaware, which, for more than three months, made trips between *For several years Mayor of the city of New York. certain places as regularly as do the steamboats of the present day." The writer has given us a sketch of the early career of Fitch; his revolutionary services to the State of New Jersey; his adventures in the wilds of Kentucky and Ohio; his captivity by Indians, and as a British prisoner; his exertions to obtain means to construct a steamboat; his trials, failures, and his successful application of steam to the propulsion of three steamboats on the Delaware; the propulsion of a steamboat to New York; his mortification at the lukewarmness of his countrymen, and his suicide. John Fitch was truly a man who had to struggle with misfortune, and we can heartily recommend this attempt to do justice to his memory. The Fitch family to which John belonged, came from near Braintree, county of Essex, England, and settled in Connecticut. The author has given us a very good genealogy of the family. their utility, by the encouragement of learning, and increasing the respect paid to it in public estimation. The only historian of our day with whom Mr. Motley can be compared, not only in the choice of his subject, but in the manner of treating it, is Prescott. In some respects the author of Philip II. must yield the superiority to his more youthful countryman. Motley's style, if less finished, is more earnest, and enlists warmer sympathies. His knowledge of the German and Dutch languages gives him an advantage also over Prescott, who studied his authorities in these tongues through the medium of translations, and thus lost much of the force and spirit of the originals. The more thorough research of Motley may also be attributed in part to this cause. But it is not our intention to institute an elaborate comparison between the two historians, both of whom reflect honor upon the literature of their country. It was only our object to call Historical and Literary Intelligence. attention to the praiseworthy act of the New York University, to which reference has been made. The University of the city of New York, at its recent annual Commencement, conferred the Messrs. Little, Brown & Co., of Boston, have degree of Doctor of Laws on John Lathrop Mot-issued proposals to publish a new edition of ley, of Boston, author of a well-known work on John Farmer's Register of the Settlers of New the history of the "Dutch Republic." As Mr. England, prepared by Hon. James Savage. This Motley has no other claim to such a distinction book, the crowning work of our greatest geneathan the production of that work, not having logist, has been anxiously looked for during the acquired either political or professional eminence, past three or four years. Rev. Joseph Hunter, to which these academical honors are usually of London, who has had peculiar advantages for appropriated, it is fair to suppose that the knowing the nature of the proposed book, says, University intended by this act to show a just "though announced as a new edition, the great appreciation of literary talent and extensive additions made by Mr. Savage, in reality constilearning. These attributes certainly present no tute this a new work." From a quite extended doubtful claims to the notice of an institution examination of the MSS., we can assure our whose professed object is to encourage the readers that Savage's Register will become inacquisition of knowledge, and promote the cause dispensable to all genealogists, and it will be the of letters in our country, not to reward success- foundation for numberless family history. His ful politicians, or mere professional skill, unac-plan is to give the children and grandchildren companied by solid attainments in the learning of the professions. It is highly gratifying, therefore, to find that honors so often misdirected, have, in this instance, lighted on a worthy object; and that the laurel encircles the brows of one who has fairly earned the distinction by the production of a work evincing not only "industry and earnestness" (in his own modest words), but brilliant powers and profound erudition. It was remarked, not long since, by a writer in one of the public journals, that the practice of conferring degrees by our colleges and universities was 66 more honored in the breach than the observance," to such a wide extent had it been carried. But when a proper discriminatiou is exercised in the selection of candidates for these honors, there can be but little doubt of of every immigrant to New England previous to the new charter, even in the case of children who came with their parents, so, in many cases, four generations are recorded. The History of East Boston, with biographical sketch of its early proprietors, by Wm. H. Summer, Esq., has just been published by J. E. Tilton & Co., Boston. Mr. Summer has devoted and the result is all that could be desired. He several years of patient industry to his work, gives us a complete and interesting history of the island and its early inhabitants. The work is finely printed, and contains many illustrations. Memoir of the Life of John Quincy Adams, by Josiah Quincy, sen., is just issued by Phillips, Sampson & Co., Boston. From Mr. Quincy's experience in public life and acquaintance with Mr. Adams and his times; it cannot fail to be a valuable and entertaining volume. The work is sold by subscription. Mr. James Parton is preparing a life of Gen. Jackson, to be published by Mason & Bros., New York. The attempt was made on Sunday, the 26th day of February, 1775, during divine service in the afternoon, while the inhabitants were unsuspectingly resting in the apparent security of the day.' "At the bridge, which connected the two A genealogy of the descendants of John White, originally of Hartford, Ct., and after-parts of the town of Salem, these British troops were obstructed and restricted by the inhabiwards one of the first settlers of Hadley, Mass., is in preparation by A. S. Kellogg. The zeal tants, until the military stores were removed to and diligence with which he is prosecuting his places of safety beyond their reach; when 'Colonel Leslie being at length convinced that it task leads us to expect a valuable work. would be the safest and most politic course for him to make some overtures towards a compromise and endeavor to effect by diplomacy, what it was in vain any longer to think could be extorted by force, pledged his word and honor, if the inhabitants would remove the obstruction, he would march in a peaceable manner not above fifty rods beyond the bridge, and then return, without molesting any person or property. That his orders were to pass the bridge, and he could not disobey them.' The compromise was made. The troops passed the frustrated and defeated in their intentions." bridge and immediately returned to Boston, We have received the able and interesting address of James L. Petegru, Esq., President of South Carolina Historical Society, delivered before that society on its third anniversary, May 27th. It makes a neat pamphlet of sixteen pages. A full and accurate account of the burning of the Richmond (Va.) Theatre on the 26th of December, 1811, has been printed in pamphlet form by J. Edwin Goode. Our friends in Boston have just started a publication society to be called the Prince Society. Its field embraces the publication of important MSS., relating to the early history of all the colonies, and it is the expectation of the originators, that the Society will meet a cordial support from all sections of the country. Any one may become a member, by agreeing to take the Society's publications, and is called on to pay for these only when delivered to him. A general meeting is held every year to elect officers, who constitute the council and superintend the issue of books. In the proper place will be found a report of the meetings of the Society. Any communications for the Society can be directed to the Recording Secretary, at 13 Bromfield st., Boston. A correspondent informs us that the citizens of Salem, Mass., held a public meeting on Thursday, July 15th, for the purpose-of making arrangements for the erection of a monument, commemorative of Leslie's retreat; he adds the following brief account of the event: We learn from the Evening Post that the monument to Ethan Allen is now complete with the exception of its cap-stone. It is a plain Tuscan column of granite, forty-two feet in height, and when surmounted by the colossal statue of Allen, will be a little more than fifty feet high. On each face of the die there is set in a white marble tablet, each appropriately inscribed as follows: "Vermont to Ethan Allen. Born in Litch field, Ct., 10th Jan., A.D. 1737, o. s. Died in Burlington, Vt., 12th Feb., A.D. 1789, and buried near the site of this Monument." "The Leader of the Green Mountain Boys in the surprise and capture of Ticonderoga, which he demanded in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." "Taken Prisoner in a daring attack on Montreal and transported to England, he disarmed the purpose of his enemy by the respect which he inspired for the Rebellion and the Rebel." 'Wielding the Pen as well as the Sword, he was the sagacious and intrepid Defender of the New Hampshire Grants, and Master Spirit in "There was a collection of cannon and mili- the arduous struggle which resulted in the Sotary stores, belonging to the Massachusetts Com-vereignty and Independence of this State." mittee of Safety, deposited in that part of Salem, called North Fields. Governor Gage ordered the sixty-fourth regiment of British troops, consisting of some three hundred men, which was stationed at the castle in Boston harbor, under the command of Lieut. Colonel Leslie, to proceed to Salem and take possession of the rebel cannon and stores, in the name of his Britannic Majesty. The remains of James Monroe, ex-President of the United States, were removed on the 3d of July from the Second street Cemetery in New York to Richmond, Va. The citizens in both States united in paying him funeral honors. The Legislature of Virginia made an appropriation to defray the expenses. |