II 



his eulogy on the first President of the American Academy, recog- 

 nizes the obligation " to trace the path of the great, the virtuous, 

 and the wise, through all their exertions for the benefit of man- 

 kind, and to portray their characters as an example to the world." 

 This, doubtless, is the highest purpose of eulogy, and most worthy 

 both of the living and the dead. The memory of great and good 

 men is most truly honored by that which, at the same time, most 

 benefits the world, — the study and practice of their virtues. 



You will allow me, therefore, Gentlemen, in seeking to pay this 

 true honor to the memory of one who so richly deserved it, whose 

 life was so invariably virtuous, and who rendered himself so emi- 

 nently wise and useful, to give especial attention to those virtues 

 and exalted principles which enabled him to achieve his unsullied 

 fame, and which may enable others, stimulated by his example, to 

 pursue a like honorable career. Such a manner of proceeding on 

 this occasion well accords with the high ultimate design of the 

 American Academy ; — "to cultivate every art and science which 

 may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of 

 a free and independent people." Of all arts conducing to this 

 great end, the most important, certainly, is the art of human im- 

 provement, and the most excellent of sciences is the science of a 

 good life. And both are best studied from original models of 

 excellence. Biography, still more than history, is philosophy 

 teaching by example the lessons of wisdom ; but, to fulfil its office, 

 it must teach in the spirit of philosophy, and unfold the means and 

 inculcate the principles upon which progress in excellence essen- 

 tially depends. The life which is now presented for our contem- 

 plation, if exhibited with that truth and simplicity which were so 

 remarkably its ornaments, would beautifully illustrate the lessons 

 of wisdom, and make her ways as clear to the studious mind, as 



