John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. XXVII 
The quality of his composition is peculiar and characteristic ; 
marked by terse and graphical language, by felicity of phrase, 
by striking allusion and analogy. So also the uncommon attrac- 
tions of his conversation have been the theme of constant remark 
and encomium. 
The various ways in which he has promoted knowledge and 
improvement are too many to be here detailed. He was Presi- 
dent of the Philosophical Society, after Dr. Rittenhouse, till the 
year 1815, and member of many literary and scientific societies 
at home and abroad. He also received the honorary notices of 
many of our public colleges and universities, 
The last service he rendered to the cause of improvement con- 
sisted of a series of indefatigable exertions and anxious cares, 
in effecting the establishment of the University of Virginia; and 
his last, most grateful reflections and cheering hopes accrued 
from the auspicious beginning of that seminary. Numerous 
difficulties and obstacles were in the way of the success of this 
institution, to all which he opposed that inflexibility of purpose, and 
straight forward, patient, and active perseverance which formed a 
part of his character. He shrunk from no labour of body or mind, 
and from no sacrifices, which were required. He extended his al- 
ready laborious correspondence to get information, and effect pur- 
poses, connected with the University. He drew up reports with 
his own hand, and various papers of business; and when the first 
catalogue of books arrived, of perhaps two thousand volumes, he 
arranged them according to his own method, every volume passing 
through his hands. “ Whilst his mind delighted to expand itself,” 
says an observer, “ over the great results which he hoped from it, 
there was no detail however small to which he would not give his~ 
cheerful attention. In short, to those acquainted with Mr. Jeffer- 
