justice, and especially of mercy. When he touched on the mercies of God, his soul fastened on the theme, and amplified and exulted in the goodness and loving kindness of God, whose tender mercies are over all his works. His love to his family, his love to his neighbours, and particular friends, his love to his town and village, was peculiar. He, as eminently as John, might be called the loving disciple. I am aware that with many, intellect is idolized and the affections depreciated; but in a world where intellect is common, and unfeeling selfishness is common, a heart filled, naturally and by grace, with the fulness of love, is like the sun dispelling the darkness and dissolving the ice of frozen regions, and calling into being by its rays, vegitation, and life, and joy.

NOTES. A.

His appearance at the bar in this county formed an era in the profession. The burdensome forms and useless fictions of the English practice had been wisely discarded by our ancestors; but not satisfied with these retrenchments, the most influential members of the bar seemed strongly inclined to dispense with forms of every kind, insomuch that even the ordinary rules of pleading, quaintly, but justly styled "the heart-strings of the law," were almost wholly disregarded. Mr. R. saw and lamented this state of things, and exerted himself to correct it. At length, partly by remonstrance with his elder brethren, and partly by constraint, (for he brought and sustained no less than six writs of error at a single term of the Superior Court, grounded solely on informalities in practice,) he succeeded in accomplishing a reform alike creditable to him, and salutary in its effect upon the administration of justice.

These were early but sure indications of his future eminence. The study of the law, generally considered a joyless pursuit, was for him a delightful employment. He engaged in it

with the keen relish of the amateur, joined to the patient and critical research of the philosopher, and the result was such as might well be expected from unwearied diligence, guided by uncommon intellect. Probably no lawyer of the age in either hemisphere, surpassed him in legal attainments; and especially in a profound and accurate knowledge of the entire system of Hence the English common law. those sound and discriminating views of that system which imparted such an interest to his lectures, to his discussions at the bar, and finally to his decisions on the bench. And hence the powerful influence he was enabled to exert, along with other distinguished men, in refining our jurisprudence, by embodying the best principles and maxims of the English system, and rejecting such as were inapplicable to our local circumstances, or ill-adapted to the texture of our government. Many illustrations of these remarks will be found in his Treatise on the Domestic Relations, a book of authority in all the respectable courts of the Union, and which is alone sufficient to place its author in the very first rank of American jurists. Other labours of his pen, which it is hoped may be shortly given to the public, will serve equally to show the extent and value of his researches.

B.

Failure of his voice. This singular affection seemed to produce no ill effect upon his general health, nor any sensible abatement of his animal spirits. He spoke in whispers, but as his articulation was remarkably distinct he could be heard with little. difficulty at a considerable distance. It was a truly interesting spectacle to see the jurors pressing around the judge, when delivering his charge, eager to catch every whisper that fell from his lips.

C.

The manners of Judge Reeve were equally removed from "repulsive haughtiness and unbecoming familiarity;" and were strongly marked by a guileless simplicity, combined with real dignity of demeanor. Although perfectly accessible to all, he was far from being indiscriminate in his atten

tions. It is probable that no unprincipled man, either in religion or politics, ever came into his presence without feeling more or less reproved by his manner.

D.

Mr. Reeve received his appointment of Judge of the Superior Court in 1798, and was annually chosen by the legislature until he completed the seventieth year of his age, the legal limitation to the tenure of that office. An illustrious proof of the discernment, as well as the stability which characterized the ancient government of Connecticut. Under the organization which then existed, Judge Reeve presided many years at the circuit, and closed his judicial career in the office of chief justice. Of the manner in which these high duties were performed, it is unnecessary particularly to speak. The impression which his pre-eminent talents and incorruptible integrity have left upon the mind of every man, forms his best eulogy. When he retired from the bench the gentlemen of the bar were desirous of publicly testifying their warm approbation of the whole course of his official conduct; but the chief justice accidentally hearing of their intention, expressed informally to some of the leading members, his earnest wish that every thing of the kind might be dispensed with. Accordingly, from regard to the delicacy of his feelings, the design was relinquished. Of all the delightful traits of character in this excellent man, his humility was perhaps the most distinguished.

E.

The Judge entertained a high respect for the female character; and, in justice to that best portion of the community, it may be said that every respectable woman in the state regarded him as her personal friend. At an early period of his life he was a strenuous advocate for a more enlarged system of female education; and the elevated standard of instruction which is now so happily and extensively adopted must be attributed in no small degree to his influence. That he was an able and successful champion of the civil privileges of the sex, will be readily admitted by those

who recollect the famous case which involved the right of a married woman to dispose of her estate by will. Mr. R., then at the bar, contended that this right existed at common law; and after encountering the first talents of the profession in a long course of litigation, he succeeded in establishing the doctrine before the highest court of judicature. The same court, it is true, several years afterwards, when composed of different members, contravened the principle; but the public mind had become so thoroughly convinced of its justice, that the legislature at length took up the subject, and the right of married women" to dispose of their estate, both real and personal, by will, in the same manner as other persons," may now be considered a fundamental law of the State.

F.

Aaron B. Reeve, Esq. who had recently commenced the practice of law with flattering prospects at Troy, in the state of New-York. The death of this only child served to exhibit in an eminent degree, the holy resignation of the father. He was led to expect a fatal termination to the disorder when first informed of it; but on reaching the sick bed of his son, more favourable symptoms appeared, and even in the morning of the day on which he died, the physicians pronounced him out of danger. Bathed in tears, the Judge said to his wife, "let us endeavour to spend our lives in gratitude to God for this expression of his mercy." In the short space of two hours the scene was reversed, and the physician informed him his son could not live. Instantly accommodating himself to this unlooked-for change, he replied, with perfect composure, "the Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" Having returned to Litchfield after the interment of his son, he lost no time in reparing to the eastern circuit, where the court, of which he was the presiding judge, then held its session. His brethren of the court, deeply affected with sympathy for his misfortune, and knowing his tender sensibility, forbore at first to touch the melancholy subject; but he soon set them at ease by a minute relation of all the mounrful circumstances of the event, acknowledging with humble

gratitude the divine support he had experienced, and entered without delay, and with his accustomed calmness, upon the duties of his office. The late governor Griswold who was then associated with him upon the bench, observed to a friend, that he had never before witnessed such a triumph of religious faith over the sorest of human sufferings. Young Mr. Reeve died, Sept. 1st. 1809, in the 29th year of his age-He was married and left a son. The Judge married his second wife in 1799, who survives him. In a letter addressed in 1813 to a companion of his youth, at Princeton, he notices the principal incidents of his life, and the happiness which attended the evening of his days; and speaks at large

of the revival which had appeared a few years before at Litchfield, and of its blessed effects upon individuals, and the society. The entire letter would be read with great interest, but it is too long to be here inserted.

G.

In all instances where the subjects of prayer were near him, he attempted their salvation by personal advice and kind exhortation, protracted some times through weeks, and months; and if they were living at a distance, the same exertions were made by letter, and it was in this manner generally, if not always, that he obtained an answer to his prayers.

ON THE MORALITY AND PUBLIC
TENDENCY OF LOTTERIES.

I HAVE several times, of late, thought of suggesting to you the propriety of instituting an inquiry in your publication, into the morality and public tendency of Lotteries. You must have observed, almost daily, how large a part of private thought and feeling they occupy among the various schemers for amassing sudden wealth. You have seen how golden plans and allurements to adventure are constantly obtruded on the public attention; and the crowds cannot have escaped you on the walks of our large cities who stand longing before the doors from which fortune is supposed to dispense her favours. And if you should think that an institution which is thus largely throwing its incentives before the multitude must strongly influence their present happiness and immortal destiny, you would join me in wishing that some writer who is capable of that task might

ous course of thought which should set the question forever at rest. For though, with some exceptions, the supporters of every practice which is injurious in its effects or defective in its moral principles, may be looked upon as men who cannot be dissuaded by arguments addressed to their reason or conscience, yet from such arguments, clearly and directly presented, public opinion may derive a direction which shall force the evil to a hiding place or to live in ignominy.

I cannot avoid calling your attention to some of the considerations which seem, by their importance, entitled to a place in such an inquiry. And, as a man who wishes well to your country, I would ask you to observe whether lotteries have not, wherever they have existed, withdrawn from useful employment a vast amount of capital and labour: whether, from their very constitution, they must not always tend to stagnate a community's active business? To set what I mean in a definite light,

there are first the monies which are expended by the purchaser of tickets. Let us follow the price to its ultimate destination. A poor man has brought the piece of silver for his chance, and taken away his ticket where now is he to look for the advantage of his purchase? To say that he may find it in his chance of a prize is folly; for every man knows that his chance is not worth his money. Who would give a dollar for one chance only in ten thousand of gaining a hundred? The most favourable expectation which can be formed is, that the purchaser, in the long run, shall lose the established per centage upon the first cost of his ticket, together with such additions as the lotterydealer may have been able to put upon it; both deductions amount ing in fact to a third and sometimes half the fair value. So much, then, is lost. It will not do to reply that this, though loss to the individual, is not loss to the public, because it has only changed its possessor and is now circulating in the general current of business. Public prosperity springs from private advantage: if all men spend their property wisely, there is public abundance; if all spend unprofitably there is public debt; and each individual expenditure claims its share of the evil or the good. The fact is, that particular coin, having been made and issued from its mould for the people's advantage, had arrived at the spot where its benefits were to be dispensed. It was to have been laid out where it would have supplied needful benefits, or increased its owner's power of usefulness or enjoyment. But it has been expended in a quarter from which no benefits like these can flow, and on the contrary, where a portion of its value has been sunk; and the loss is both private and public.

But what account shall be made of the labour which a useless pur

chase has withdrawn from profitable exercise? Shall it be considered as of no amount; or shall we count as nothing the time and thought which the adventurer has laid out in contriving his schemes and imagining their accomplishment? The value of his time we will not attempt to compute in shillings.

Now it is a principle of national prosperity, that the labour of every citizen shall be, in some way or another, productive; that it either create the materials for human subsistence and enjoyment, or aid others in their labour for that end; or that it give a new impulse to the general intelligence or virtue. As the world goes, our substantial and respectable employments have all of them this quality of contributing to the general improvement. Some derive from the soil the materials for our support; some prepare them for our wants, or mould them to our conveniences; and some distribute through the world the productions of each climate. The laws and facilities of trade and exchange are the province of one man; the laws and affairs of the country employ another. The great cause of public refinement-the improvement of the human mind, advances, in the mean time, by the efforts of those whom it calls into service. When a lottery is established it has too its own servants and promoters. There are heads that contrive the plan and sit in debate on the principles of the scheme. There are papers to set forth the advantages to the public. There are offices and clerks and counters made ready. The whole apparatus for selling and drawing is set up, and the minds of adventurers put in motion. "Good now

sit down, and tell us, he that knows," from what great stores of public advantage this daily mart of golden ideas is maintained. Can` you find any thing else than activi

ty and thought withdrawn from their proper sphere to serve in profitless adventures. That we may judge of what is wasted, tell us what the same power of means would do, employed in schemes of national or individual benefit; called forth for the supply of Grecian liberty abroad, or employed for the improvement of the yet unbroken soil at home.

It would be curious to follow the operations of industry from its supporter, the ground, up through the departments of agriculture and the arts of life; to trace its course across the ocean, going or returning with the spoils of human effort; and see in what corner of the great system of operations you may find the action of a lottery. I will venture to assert that there is none. The tree of industry from the root to the branches has not one shoot or blossom which can bear its name.

But an abettor of lotteries would doubtless attempt to defend his favourite schemes from the charge of being useless, by turning our attention to the very names which they bear, and which point them out as devoted to some worthy enterprise. Thus, we have literature lotteries, to give our sister states the funds for public schooling, and Groton-monument lotteries, to uphold the memory of the brave. The revenues of states and the treasuries of colleges have had their acquisitions from the same supply.

So far as lotteries may be considered as truly adding to these sources of general strength and greatness they will have one strong shelter from the reproaches which they dread. And if they are thus useful, candor requires that the credit should be given to them. But it must be noticed that the object of inquiry in this case ought to be their ultimate influence. It might be, that revenues should be raised on such a defective plan as should VOL. I.-No. II.

10

subvert the very objects which they seemed to be building up; or on such a wasteful plan as should cut off the sources of future supply. Now it must appear undoubted that lotteries do diminish the product of industry; and it is a strange system of policy, in any government, however it may have been acted on, to establish an influx into the treasury, which will tend to dry up the fountains of all revenue by the destruction of those means of solid wealth and rational industry from which alone a revenue can be derived. In the same manner, with regard to institutions of learning or of taste, how is it that they are valuble? Is it not solely by diffusing intelligence and elevation of character? If this be so, we can never call that increase of their pecuniary means a blessing, which is gained by public degradation.

We have a practical proof of the kind of value which funds for particular objects and revenues for governments derived from lotteries possess, in the experience of England. There they have been tried for 250 years, and on a great scale. Scarcely were they established before their evils became so apparent that it was deemed necessary to suppress them by act of Parliament. From that time their history shows them to have been alternately prohibited and revived, till some time before the year 1700, when they became a standing means of revenue to the government. But the evils which sprang from them in one uncontrollable shape or another were a constant subject of legislative enactment, and toward the close of that century the city of London prayed, but unsuccessfully, for their abolition. It appears, at that time, that the number of dealers, in and about London alone, was 4000. "In 1808 there were two reports of a committee of the House of Commons, on the subject of lotte-. ries. The evidence adduced be