Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1834, BY CROCKER & BREWSTER,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

PREFACE.

HAVE we not already enough of good biographies? perhaps some one may ask, as he very leisurely takes up this volume. The question shall speedily be answered. But first let a preparatory question or two be put to this inquirer. Have you, then, already become acquainted with as many good men as you wish to know? -and is there not much of the same benefit and pleasure to be derived from enlarging our acquaintance with the lives of the departed, as of those who are still with us?-and may it not be done with greater facility?—Are there, then, enough of good biographies already? No, we have not enoughnor shall we have, so long as God shall continue to raise up the fit subjects of such works. History," says an ancient, "is philosophy teaching by example." Much more emphatically is this true of biography-the J life and soul of history. The more fit examples for this purpose, the better. Each one has something new to teach, or to impress more vividly; and each has its special relations to particular circles and classes of men,

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