mental faculties and bodily energies in a remarkable degree.

In person, he is tall and of slender make; his eyes are light, and full of intelligence; his complexion fair, and his hair inclining to red. In conversation, he is free and communicative. All topics that fall under discussion, are treated by him with equal unreservedness. He seems, indeed, to have no thought or opinion to conceal, and his stores of knowledge are unlocked and laid open with the same freedom in which nature unfolds her bounties. They lie before you, and you have only to select and enjoy. In manner, he is frequently pointed, and sometimes energetic, but always mild, and occasionally pleasant and facetious.

The scientific and literary, throughout the Union, have always looked upon him as their adviser and patron; and have, indeed, seldom failed to gain considerable advantage by their applications.

JAMES MADISON,

FOURTH president of the United States, was born in Orange county, Virginia, March 5, 1750. At the age of sixteen, he entered Princeton college, and received the honours of that seminary in the year 1769. On his return to Virginia, he immediately commenced the study of the law, in the office of the late chancellor Wyeth. Previous to the year 1775, he discharged the duties of several important offices with superior talents and fidelity, and in the autumn of that year, was elected a member of the legislature of Virginia. Although very young, his profound views of the interests of his country were far in advance of his years, and not behind the older' members of that enlightened body. He was soon after elected a member, and took his seat in the old congress, where he shone conspicuous for the boldness of his views, and the force and vigour of his eloquence. After the peace of 1783, the United States were left without any efficient government, and connected only

by the articles of confederation. Each state was an independent sovereignty, and pursued its own separate plans of policy. The necessity of an efficient government was apparent, and it was therefore deemed necessary by the friends of freedom to frame a new constitution. To carry this into effect, delegates were appointed from the several states to meet at Philadelphia, in the year 1787.-Of this ever memorable convention Mr Madison was a member, and assisted in framing that charter of our liberties-the boast of political science -and to which he afterwards affixed his name, as one of the deputies ficm Virginia.

Immediately on his return home, he was elected a delegate to the Virginia convention, which met at Richmond in the year following, to decide on the fate of that instrument.

This convention was composed of some of the ablest men that Virginia has ever produced, for genius, talents, and eloquence. In this enlightened body, the new `constitution had its friends and its enemies. Among the former, none were more conspicuous, and none more ably contributed to its adoption than Mr Madison. Soon after the publication of the constitution, he, conjointly with General

Hamilton and Mr Jay, commenced the publication of the Federalist, in the city of NewYork, which had a powerful influence in procuring the adoption of that instrument in that and other states. Of this celebrated work, he wrote Nos. 10, 14, 18, 19, 20, 37 to 58, inclusive, 62, 63, and 64. His style is chaste, his logic concise, cogent, and impressive.

He afterwards represented his state in congress, until the year 1800, when he retired from public life.

In 1801, he was called by president Jefferson to the office of secretary of state; and in the year 1809, he succeeded his predecessor in the presidential chair.

Of the ability and wisdom of his administration, for two successive terms, ages will testify; and its glorious events will form a distinguished epoch in the historical annals of our country.

His life has been no less distinguished for superiority of intellect, and an undeviating zeal in promoting the true interest of his country, than for an integrity which has never been shaken, and a benignity which has never failed to shed its cheering rays in every circle in which he moves.

EDWARD IRVING.

THE above celebrated preacher is a native of Annan, one of the border towns of Scotland. -When only eighteen, he taught mathematics at Dunbar, where there is a grammar-school of some celebrity; and he is a proficient in this branch of science, to which the clergy of the north pay frequently no small share of attention, though the nature of their parochial duties obliges them to sacrifice their predilection. During his stay at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied, he was well known for his warmth of heart, and ardour in pursuit; and took a rather prominent part in a contest about rights connected with a class of divinity, which was not ended without considerable disturbance. Subsequently he was settled at Kirkaldy, in Fifeshire, where he taught a highly respectable academy, and there became first known as a clergyman.

Having left Kirkaldy, not without a heartfelt recollection behind, he remained for some time in Edinburgh, renewing his attendance