man whom I have incessantly admired and esteemed, now near twenty years. Sweet as it is for "brethren to dwell together in unity;" delightful as it is to the recording angel to pen a human action pleasing to the Almighty-so sweet, so delightful is it to me to enter on a theme, in which only the virtues of humanity can be contemplated. The amiable qualities and conduct of Moreton had endeared him to my heart, and a fascinating melancholy, which called forth tenderer feelings, riveted him to my soul. We were continually together, and mutually enjoyed the social intercourse. I When the yellow fever had ceased its ravages, conducted, at Mr. Wignell's request, the company to Annapolis, where we were received with all the hospi tality, benevolence, and attention, humanity could sug gest and generosity extend. I wish I could add the pleasing record, that the polished liberality of the inhabitants had been generally as delicately received as it was delicately tendered; but as "Our very wishes bring us not our wish," so was the kindness of the inhabitants ineffectual in pro. ducing the consequences they had a right to expect from all; but our beloved Moreton's interesting and superior conduct soon claimed and obtained for him the tenderest interest of the most valuable members of the community. Having been from infancy accustomed to act only the part of a gentleman, in private life it sate so easy on him, that he commanded admiration wherever seen; but in public life a diffidence, occasioned by a reversion of fortune, occluded at first those talents, which were afterwards exhibited in their natural brilliancy. Many a time has he returned from the theatre, after imagined disapprobation, thrown himself on my knees, and, in the most feeling terms, expressed his fear of being unsuccessful in the profession. Every word the heart-impelled breath of consolation could give utterance to, was offered on my part, and frequently not without success. But there was a voice that as a seraph from the heaven of heavens whispered in notes of love his praise. Emblem of every lovely attribute divine and human! shrink not; the softest feather of my pen alone shall touch thy delicacy; but should it shrink from that, I'd wish the down of swan had been engaged to speak thy praise; though, but for fear, I would engrave it with a pen of steel. If ever real virtue and true honour existed in human being, I think that I may say, I this year testified them in their most exalted character. I could, I wish, I burn with desire to prove to what degree of excellence humanity can raise itself;—but, I am forbidden; and if a veil is here thrown over some of the worthiest actions of my life, it is because that veil will at the same time secure, in another, the purest complexion of virtue from a meridian sun of praise. During my first visit to Annapolis, as I was one vening performing the part of Othello, a country gentleman in the boxes, having paid great attention to the play, which he had never seen performed before, started suddenly from a state of wrapt attention and observed, with an oath, to his neighbour, that he had never thought a negro could have been possessed of so much intelligence, and that if my master would sell me, he would give five hundred dollars for me that moment. His friend, I presume, humoured the joke, and directed him after the performance to the stage door, where he made every inquiry for the master of the extraordinary negro; but he was still more astonished when he found that this strange character possessed the additional accomplishment of being able to wash himself white. The matter was explained, and the disappointed gentleman was obliged to retire without effecting a purchase. After the most hospitable treatment that any society could experience-after friendly attentions that exist to this moment, we left Annapolis. If the real nobility of humanity could desire praise, how much could I from my heart effuse! But worth, honour, and generosity are satisfied with the private contemplation of themselves: their nature shrinks from public greetings; yet, where liberality is oppressively warm, it may submit to be fanned by the breath of gratitude, and may every air be acceptable. Before I left Annapolis, the reverend provost of the college did me the honour of preaching the sermon I have before mentioned. We left Annapolis and returned to Philadelphia. There I remained for some weeks, enjoying the society of my friend Moreton in private lodgings, till I had procured a house. That being done, I requested him to live with me. In this instance again was that delicate sense of honour, which I fear was suffered to eclipse his future happiness, predominant over inclination; but, happily for me, only for a while; he at last consented to make my house his residence, on conditions, which were as honourably proposed by him, as they were willingly accepted by me. Few will read with pleasure the private memoirs of friends, which have only their value in retired virtues. One, perhaps not only one, would wish me to dwell longer on this dear subject; but the gratitude I owe to the amiable families with whom she is connected, and the respect due to the most exalted feelings, check the publicity of the effusions of my heart, and force my pen to reverential si-' lence. -- But the sternest delicacy need not shrink from deserved praise from the mention of honourable sensations; yet in spite of my ardent inclination to do, or to say, what would be only justice, I tremble lest I should give a wound to sensibility, or touch a fibre of that root whence sprang most ennobling virtues. Comfortably settled in Philadelphia, but finding myself unpleasantly disappointed in the estimated expenses of house-keeping, I thought some employment, in addition to theatrical pursuits, necessary; the influx of the French having greatly increased the price of provisions, house-rent, &c. from what they had, while in England, been represented to me to be. I mean not to cast the smallest imputation on Mr. Wignell's integrity, in his relations to me of the cheapness of living in Philadelphia; for as he described them to me, things were on his departure from America. The sudden and extraordinary advance on, the prices of provisions, had taken place during his absence. I consequently established lectures on natural philosophy. Forgetting, or rejecting that excellent observation of Juvenal, which at no period of my life could have been more applicable and useful to me, than at the moment when I was lanching my bark into a new ocean: Monstro quod ipse tibi possis dare; semita certe Nullum numen abest si sit Prudentia, sed te Prudence, however, has always been, with regard to me, so shy a goddess, that she has never permitted me to touch the hem of her garment. While pursuing these, I was favoured with the loan of a considerable portion of apparatus from the university. Dr. Rittenhouse lent me, among other articles, the celebrated electrical battery of Dr. Franklin; but what was to me of dearest value, was the present of an excellent prism, made by himself. I obtained the executive assistance of Mr. Cox (as I believe) the principal architect of the new theatre, in erecting for me a machine embracing all the mechanical powers, so nicely and regularly constructed, that being electrified, it would raise a man seated in a chair: the reaction of the air on the flyers having sufficient power to effect the intent. About this time I had the honour of becoming acquainted with governor Mifflin, and in a manner so extraordinarily affable on his part, that I feel forced to relate it. I was returning one morning from rehearsal at the theatre, where I had been detained beyond my usual time, and consequently hastening home quickly to attend my lectures, I walked as fast as I could. While thus walking, a gentleman, whom to my knowledge I had never seen before, called to me by name, and observed that he was incapable of overtaking me as I walked so fast, and begged me to stop. I did so till we met. He then, in the most amiable manner, addressed me in these condescending words: "Mr. Fennell, I have long |