for the ardor with which he pursued his studies or the accuracy of his acquirements. His military talents brought him to the notice of Gov. J. T. Gilman and his brother, residents of Exeter, who rendered him a good deal of assistance by their advice and direction. His health failed him while here, from sleeping one night in damp sheets, and it was supposed by his physicians that he was threatened with pulmonary consumption. Whether his lungs had actually taken an inflammation was not so evident; but a prescribed course, he was told, if followed, would settle the point; if the disease had already seated itself, this course of medicine would rapidly hasten his end, if the reverse, he would soon be relieved. He observed that he was willing to make the experiment, for, said he, "I am determined to have a liberal education, or die in the attempt."

In September, 1815, Mr. Cushing entered Dartmouth College, and joined the junior class, but was found deficient in some of the preparatory studies. Having these to bring up in connection with his regular class exercises, he failed to attain a high standing in his class. "He wanted confidence in his preparation for class exercises," says a class-mate, "which very much injured his appearance at recitation, although his standing was above mediocrity in a class of forty-five." He graduated in August, 1817, but did not receive a class appointment for commencement, although that honor was conferred upon about half of the class. His want of confidence, retiring manners, the short time he was at college, and the time consumed by an attendance upon the Medical Lectures, in connection with his deficiencies on joining college, and his ill health, were perhaps the causes of the loss of this distinction. A classmate, and afterwards a colleague of Mr. Cushing in Virginia, says of him while at college, "He was highly esteemed in the class as a man of sound judgment, manly and dignified in his deportment, beyond the customary standard of young men in college. He maintained a high degree of selfrespect without display, and in regard to the public relations of the college, which during our last two years were particularly trying both to the faculty and students, I recollect his observations were much thought of, and his judgment appreciated by those better able to appreciate them than his fellow-students. His knowledge of men, and ready insight into character, which distinguished him in Virginia, was an early characteristic; and I remember to have heard that this trait was noticed by his Preceptor at Exeter Academy, and led to his being charged with duties which tended still more to cultivate it. His character as a scholar in college, was distinguished rather by sound judgment, and clear, practical views, than by brilliancy and the more showy qualities of genius. Manliness, maturity, and comprehensiveness, marked his understanding and judgment, gave him firmness and consistency, where more discursive minds were often fluctuating, and imparted to his opinions on all subjects, upon which he was called to act, a high value even in his early years."

Sedentary habits and neglect of exercise had so enfeebled Mr. Cushing's health while in college, that as soon as he graduated, he was advised to proceed to the South, as the only means of restoring it. Among other letters of introduction which his friends proffered him, was one to the Rev. Dr. John Holt Rice, then Pastor of the 1st Presbyterian church in Richmond, Virginia. Being much pleased with Dr. R.'s family, he was spending a few days there when he learned that there was a young man in town from the North, confined to his bed by sickness. It was enough for Mr. Cushing to know that the young man was sick, and without friends, (although entirely unacquainted with him,) to insure any attention which

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it was in his power to render; but after a visit, and finding that they were both strangers in a strange land, natives of the same State, and alumni of the same institution, they became warm friends. This young man had a short time previously been appointed a Tutor in Hampden Sydney College, but from ill health had been unable to proceed to the field of his labors. Being very anxious to retain his situation, he solicited Mr. Cushing to occupy it for a few weeks, until he himself should be restored to health. His solicitations, seconded by the influence of Dr. Rice, (which in that short time had become great,) prevailed over Mr. Cushing's objections. He accepted the situation, and arrived in Prince Edward on the 1st of November, 1817. Alas! how often and how suddenly too, are the expectations of man blasted! Scarcely had this brief time elapsed, when the young man was removed from the uncertainties of time, to the realities of eternity. Having no longer a claim upon the Institution, Mr. Cushing was desirous of breaking the connection which then existed. Before the end of that session, he had several times determined on that step, and on one occasion, had taken a seat in the stage coach for Charleston, South Carolina, but was prevailed upon by the solicitations of the Rev. Dr. Moses Hoge, the President of Hampden Sydney, in whom he placed the greatest confidence, to remain. His reasons for wishing to leave his present field of labor were certainly deserving of consideration. He felt unwilling to spend his time and talents teaching in Virginia, when he had reason to believe a residence in a more southern clime would contribute more to the restoration of his health, and also allow him more time to devote to the prosecution of the studies of the legal profession which he had chosen as his occupation for life. And more than this, he felt assured that the assiduity and energy with which he had engaged in the pursuit of knowledge could not be recompensed by the small sphere of usefulness which he supposed was then open before him. Hampden Sydney, at that time, was but little known, and had but little reputation as a college. Attached to it was a theological school, to which the time of the President was in part devoted. In fact the college was considered by many more as an appendage to, or preparatory school for the students of theology, than as an institution to which young men could resort, and learn the arts and sciences, which should fit them for practical life. There was but a small number of students, the college buildings were cold and uncomfortable dwellings, and there was but the name of a library and apparatus. Moreover, there had been no graduates from the institution for a number of years, and the degrees, when conferred, were not respected at other institutions. Such was Hampden Sydney when Mr. Cushing found himself, almost without his consent, a member of its faculty. So unlike the literary institutions with which he was acquainted, that it was with considerable reluctance he accepted the pressing invitations of the trustees to continue in their employ. "It had, however, one recommendation which, with Mr. Cushing, outweighed many defects. It was a seminary of learning, where he could gratify the strong passion of his soul for acquiring and communicating instruction, more delightful to him, as he often said, than food to a hungry man." Feeling that he was now permanently connected with the college, his course was speedily marked out. He prevailed on the trustees to adopt a plan for the reorganization of the institution; having regular classes and fixed studies to each class; at the same time the course was greatly enlarged. A new and more rigid system of discipline was introduced, and the interference of the trustees with the decisions of the faculty, except upon extraordinary occasions, and at the regular meetings

of the board, was dispensed with. At his instance also, the theological department was severed. from the college, and an understanding effected, that the officers of one institution should have no connection with the instruction of the other.

It must not be supposed, however, that he was opposed to the seminary; he was very favorable to it, as was evident from what he did for its success. He thought that it would be much to the interest of both institutions, if they could be separate and distinct, and even situated a short distance from each other; their history thus far proves conclusively that he was right; and one great obstacle to the prosperity of these institutions, has arisen from their contiguity.

Mr. Cushing's health, from his residence in Virginia, rapidly improved, and in a very short time (so great was the change effected by the climate) that he was able to perform as much literary labor as any one, and with but little fatigue. With the exception of the month of August, 1818, when he underwent the acclimating fever, his health did not compel him to omit his regular duties until a short time before he died. The first year of his connection with college, he had to perform all the duties of the classical and mathematical departments. In January, 1819, when a professorship of chemistry and natural philosophy was established, he was unanimously elected to fill that chair. This flattering testimonial on the part of the trustees, of his qualifications, and of the confidence they placed in him, was adapted to deepen his interest in the welfare of the college, had any thing been wanting; but those who knew him know well, that the zeal and energy, with which he undertook and prosecuted any plan for the accomplishment of good, required no stimulus.

The philosophical apparatus was so small and imperfect, that it was impossible to illustrate even the elements of the sciences, and the college funds would not enable the trustees to devote any thing to its increase. It was, however, absolutely necessary that it should be much augmented, and Mr. Cushing determined to devote all the proceeds of his office, over and above his necessary expenses, to the accomplishment of this object, and await the ability of the trustees to reimburse him. This plan was pursued until a few years before his death, when the circumstances of the college were changed. To effect in part the wishes of the faculty, it was proposed to raise $15,000 by subscription. This plan which, I understand, he suggested to the trustees, he was the principal means of accomplishing, and by it was enabled to raise a centre and one wing of a large college edifice, and a commons hall. In the summer of 1820, upon the death of Dr. Hoge, the President of Hampden Sydney College, Mr. Cushing was appointed president pro tempore, and in the fall of 1821 he was almost unanimously elected to fill the vacancy. He did not desire that office, and used his exertions to secure the services of another, of whose qualifications for the situation he felt well assured; in his acceptance of it he was actuated by a sense of duty, as his own communications show. In a letter to a friend shortly after his election, he says, "The election of president was, as you anticipated, although wholly against my wishes and frequent remonstrances. It would have been more gratifying to my feelings, (for I had not the least desire to be promoted,) and perhaps it would be better for the institution, if I had been permitted to remain simply as professor of chemistry and natural philosophy. But such were the public feelings, and the peculiar situation of the college, and the unanimity of the trustees, and solicitations of the students, as induced me to believe that it was my duty to accept the appointment, and look to Divine Providence for assistance and

direction in an undertaking of such great responsibility." He thought too, that he had reason to fear his physical ability was not sufficient to bear him up under the duties which would devolve upon him; for in the letter informing him of his appointment, he was requested "besides the general superintendence of the institution, to take charge of the departments of metaphysics, ethics, government, rhetoric, and the physical sciences." "From the election of Mr. C. to the presidency until his death, the events of his life were little more than a series of efforts the most judicious, untiring, and self-sacrificing, to foster the interests of the institution over which he presided." Happy in the possession of a wife worthy of his affection, he endeavored to diffuse peace and happiness to all around him, and had his lot been cast in a more humble sphere of life, we should have found in him the same incentives to useful exertion. But feeling that his influence was extensive, and his sphere of usefulness greatly enlarged, Mr. Cushing determined to employ it in the cause of literature and the college. Under the efficient system of organization which he introduced, the character and standing of the college rose rapidly. There were annually graduated a respectable number of students, and large numbers of young men resorted thither to gain that knowledge which they would otherwise have sought in our Northern colleges. He speedily obtained a standing ad eundem gradum for the graduates of Hampden Sydney at other colleges without examination, and by the introduction of public exercises at the examinations, and commencement, a good deal of information was diffused among all classes of the surrounding community. As yet there had been but one professorship established, and that, in connection with the president's chair, was occupied by Mr. Cushing. It was necessary to establish other professorships, to increase the number of officers, and to present such inducements as would command the services of men of acknowledged talents; houses for officers were wanted, and another wing was to be added to the college building. These objects were effected, but the means of defraying the expenses incurred were to be obtained. The legislature of the State was annually appealed to, to relieve the necessities of a highly valuable, but suffering institution; but those petitions were vain! That body was unfriendly to it. Mr. C. proposed to try once more the liberality and munificence of the adjacent country, and it was determined to raise $30,000 or nothing. If the trustees considered his previous project as a visionary scheme of youth, they now believed, from this proposition, that his imagination had usurped the place of his reason, and that he talked of pounds, when he should have thought only of pence. President Cushing again undertook to get the money subscribed by his personal application. This he effected in 1830. In begging he would not permit any one, however friendly he might be to the college, to give, if there was any probability that, by so doing, his circumstances might be straitened, or if he was in debt; for he truly considered that justice comes before generosity. The result of President Cushing's exertions for Hampden Sydney was such, that in a short time its faculty, and course of studies, its privileges and accommodations, were equal to any in the Southern country. The opening of the halls of the University of Virginia to students of almost every degree of preparation, prevented Hampden Sydney from enjoying that patronage which it so well merited, and which it would otherwise have received. Notwithstanding this, the number of students during his presidency averaged over a hundred.

President Cushing's operations were not confined solely to the college; his object was to do the greatest amount of good during the short space of

time which he believed was allotted to his pilgrimage on earth. When an opportunity presented itself, he was always ready to give a helping hand, and if none was presented, he would endeavor to make one. A number of young men were induced to remain at college as resident graduates, and others resorted to the neighborhood to study the professions; these together with those gentlemen already established in business, and the officers connected with the theological seminary and the college, if brought together, he thought would be mutually improved. For this purpose, in connection with his friend Dr. Rice, he succeeded in forming a literary and philosophical society, where by the collision of mind with mind, information might be elicited, and facts communicated, which should excite in the younger members and visitors a desire for greater advancement in literature.

The system of common school instruction in Virginia, was a subject in which President Cushing took a deep interest. He became intimately acquainted with it as conducted in a large portion of the State, and saw that it was extremely defective. Little or no attention was paid to the qualifications of the teachers, and the parents of the children seldom took sufficient interest in the subject to visit the schools, and become acquainted with their internal organization. The occupation of teaching was in low repute, and very few young men of Virginia, who were qualified, would engage in that occupation; hence their teachers were generally procured from other States. President Cushing was very desirous to see a change in the minds of the people upon this subject, and exerted himself on all occasions to watch its pernicious effects, and endeavor to reorganize the whole system. As a valuable instrument for effecting this grand object, he succeeded in establishing a society, or "Institute of Education," which should, through its orators and essayists at the college commencements, endeavor to arouse the people from their lethargy upon the subject of common schools, point out its importance, and its defects; lay bare the root of the evil, and show how it might be removed. Mr. Cushing was the president of the society during his life, and there can be no doubt but that much good was done by it.

Although President Cushing was a native of another State, Virginia was the land of his adoption, and he was very anxious to see it hold that stand in every respect to which he thought it entitled. Its histories were extremely imperfect; in fact all of them combined do not contain a complete compilation of those facts, or a correct delineation of those characters, for which that State is so justly celebrated. It was well known that many of the public documents were lost in the confusion incident to the invasion of Richmond during the war, and that those which remain were in a chaotic mass. It was equally well known that there were a number of old manuscripts scattered throughout the country, bearing upon this subject, and many old persons who could give a great deal of valuable information; both of these sources of history were rapidly disappearing, and there was no means of securing the information which they possessed, but by an association formed for that purpose. President Cushing therefore suggested a plan which, in connection with others deeply interested in this subject, was matured in 1831 into the "Historical and Philosophical Society of Virginia." He was elected second vice president, and was appointed to deliver the first anniversary address, which was published in the first volume of the society's collections, and is the only published composition of his, of any importance.

In the prosperity of Hampden Sydney, President Cushing continued to feel the deepest interest. Although repeatedly solicited to accept the pre