nutmeg, clove, allspice, camphor, &c., are growing luxuriantly, as if in their native soil. A fine stream, passing through a lovely valley above, waters the gardens. The attendants were polite and obliging, readily furnishing me with specimens in flower and seed of the choicest plants, and offering refreshments of nuts and fruit; and I had to regret that a day, instead of a half hour, was not at my command for a more satisfactory view of the whole. LETTER XII. CHARACTER OF THE HON. WILLIAM TUDOR. U. S. ship Guerriere, Rio de Janeiro, THE whole party visiting the botanic gardens yesterday, dined at Flamengo on their return; and as the Guerriere was expected to sail early this morning, I was under the necessity, in the evening, of bidding farewell with them to Mr. Tudor, and of rejoining the ship. This I did with a degree of regret that might surprise you, considering the short personal intercourse we have enjoyed, were you uninformed of his exalted worth, and the many charms of heart and mind which nature and education have unitedly thrown around him. He is one of the most accomplished, extensively informed, and truly amiable men, I have ever met. Received by him with the cordiality of a brother, and WRITINGS OF MR. TUDOR. 95 admitted at once to the confidence of his bosom, I discovered during the fortnight of our companionship, traits so noble and so fascinating, as to excite an admiration I have seldom known for one not decidedly spiritual in his character; and to win an attachment I can never forget. With his literary reputation, you are well acquainted. A lively and superior genius was discoverable in him from early childhood; which, united to a heart of the most amiable and tender mould, made him the idol of his parents, and an object of interest and affection to all who knew him. The high respectability of his family, and the political and literary distinction of his father, afforded every facility for the development and cultivation of his powers: and after completing a general course of classical and scientific studies at the university of Harvard, in his native state, he enjoyed the additional advantage of travelling for several years in Europe; and of intimate access to many of the most learned and polished circles of the period. Possessed of a pure and high toned patriotism, the benefits of his education and residence abroad were, on his return to the United States, made to bear directly upon the letters and literature of our country, by the establishment and able support of the North American Review; a publication which has accomplished more, perhaps, in the formation of a correct public taste at home, and in the elevation of our literary character abroad, than any other; and which justly ranks, for acute and refined criticism, among the first of the age. papers By his "Letters on the Eastern States," he became the pioneer in a field of observation on nature, men, and manners, in a great degree original; and in the cultivation of which he has been followed by others of our countrymen, greatly to the advancement of our national reputation. And while the "Life of Otis" may be referred to not only as an evidence of his talent and industry, but as embodying for posterity, an interesting and valuable portion of American history, the stranger and the citizen may for ages point to the granite shaft on Bunker's Hill, as a monument of honor and glory, having its origin in the classic taste and patriotic conceptions of his active genius. After having appeared successfully in public life, as a member of the legislature of Massachusetts, he commenced his diplomatic career in 1823, as Consul General for the United States in Peru; to which office was afterward united that of political agent of our government in that country. During a residence of five years in Lima, in a most distracted and fluctua-` ting state of public affairs, he did high honor to the American name and character. Though necessarily in constant official contact with the agents of several successive revolutions in the newly formed repub-· lic, by his candor and integrity, his conciliatory deportment and true dignity, he secured the marked respect and good will of the alternating authorities; and exerted an enlightening and happy influence over the minds of leaders who conferred on him their confidence, and sought with eagerness his counsels and advice. His correspondence with the secretary of state, at home, during this period, is spoken of in the highest terms, as replete with important information; and marked by a knowledge of government, and the true principles of political jurisprudence which class it with the ablest on the files of the department. His departure from Peru, on receiving the appointment of Charge d'affaire at the court of Brazil, was deeply regretted not only by his countrymen and other foreign residents, but by every class of the native society; and especially by the authorities in power, who had learned so to appreciate his merits as to have solicited from his government the continuance of his diplomatic relation to them. ous; The negotiations in which he was called to enter, on his arrival at Rio de Janeiro, were, from a peculiarity of circumstances, exceedingly delicate and arduand required in their successful management a high degree of diplomatic address. Individuals most deeply interested in the result, had little expectation of the early adjustment of the difficulties existing. But, by the amenity and open-heartedness which so peculiarly characterize him, added to a determined firmness and energy of purpose, he, in a very short time, even while similar claims of other nations remained unnoticed, not only secured indemnity for the spoliations committed on the property of American citizens during the late war between Buenos Ayres and Brazil, but also negotiated a treaty of commerce on principles very desirable, and greatly to the advancement of our future trade with the empire. Don Pedro and his cabinet evidently hold him in marked esteem; and the gentlemen of the various embassies, and the most distinguished foreigners I have met, speak of him in terms of high regard, and as an ornament to the country he has the honor to represent. But it is not the distinction he has attained either as a scholar or a diplomatist, that has won the attachment I feel. These might lead me to respect and honor him; but in themselves, are insufficient to secure my love. This has been gained by qualities of heart and mind which the world has few opportunities of observing; and which always shine the brightest, when farthest removed from the public gaze. To a simplicity of heart that exhibits itself in his whole manner, he adds a modesty that throws fresh charms around the virtues with which it is associated; and which, while it shrinks from every thing like adulation, is the last to appropriate to itself an unexpected honor; or even to claim a just meed of praise. An incident occurred, in our visit to the flag-ships of Sir Robert Otway and the Baron de Roussin, strikingly illustrative of this trait in his character. Only a short time previous, he had made an official call on both these admirals; and had of course received on board the ships of both, the honors due to persons of his rank; and regarding the present, as an informal and private visit, expected the reception only of a private individual. On descending the side of the Ganges, I perceived preparations for a salute which escaped his notice; and when, as our boat shoved off and began to move towards the Duquesne, the first gun over our heads was heard, in the most evident surprise, he turned to me with the exclamation-" What can that mean?" I could not avoid smiling at the perfect ingenuousness of his whole expression, as I replied, "a compliment to the visitor I presume;" which he interrupted by saying, "O that cannot be !"-And seemed so en |