210 Biographical Memoir of Count Rum/brd. 



spoke sometimes to him of astronomy, and his lessons in that 

 science benefitted his pupil more than he had foreseen. 



The young man brought him one day the plan of an eclipse, 

 which he had traced according to a method Avhich had suggest- 

 ed itself to him on reflecting upon his master's discourses. It 

 was found to be singularly accurate, and this success induced 

 him to abandon all for science. 



In Europe, the sciences might have afforded him some re- 

 compense ; but, at that period, there was none in New Hamp- 

 shire. Fortunately for him, he had obtained from nature what 

 ensures a favourable reception at all periods and in all countries, 

 a fine figure, and dignified and gentle manners. They procured 

 for him, at the age of nineteen, the hand of a rich widow ; and 

 the poor scholar, at the moment when he least expected, be- 

 came one of the great personages of the colony. 



His good fortune was not of long duration. The discontent 

 which the conduct of the Ministry and Parhament had, for ten 

 years past, so imprudently cherished, now rose to the greatest 

 extremity. The Government resolved on war, and New Hamp- 

 shire was destined to be its first seat. 



In the night of the 18th April 1775, the royal troops, march- 

 ing from Boston, after having fought a first battle at Lexington, 

 proceeded toward Concord ; but, being presently assailed by a 

 furious multitude, were obliged to betake themselves to their 

 garrison. Mrs Thomson's family was attached to the govern- 

 ment by important offices. Her husband, young as he was, 

 had himself received from it some marks of confidence. His 

 personal opinions, besides, led him to support the government. 

 Thus it was natural that he should join the ministerial party 

 with all the fervour of his age, and freely participate in its 

 chances. He therefore retii-ed to Boston with the army, and in 

 such haste, that he was obliged to leave at Concord his wife, 

 who was far advanced in pregnancy. Having afterwards to 

 move from place to place, he never saw her again, nor was it 

 until after a period of twenty years that he met the daughter to 

 which she gave birth a few days after his departure. 



It was undoubtedly an evil of not less magnitude to fight 

 against his countrymen ; but perhaps he did not view it as such, 

 and that evil we shall only lament, without venturing to impute to 



