A al 
ad ‘Memoir of Rev. John Prince, LL. D. 
portant suggestions in its construction, to “a clergyman.” The 
purpose of Mr. Hill’s communication seemed to be, in part to make 
known the improvement, and in part to draw out the clergyman 
who invented it. Dr. Prince’s attention was directed to Mr. Hill’s 
publication by his London correspondent, but I do not find that he 
answered the enquiry, at the time, or took any steps to secure the 
credit, with the readers of the Gentleman’s Magazine, of the beauti- 
ful and truly ingenious construction which had attracted so much 
curiosity and admiration. He, probably, preferred to let the sub- 
ject drop, rather than keep it before the public to the disadvantage 
of the memory of his friend.* 
After the death of Mr. Adams, his successor in business, Mr. Wm. 
Jones, sought Dr. Prince’s correspondence in language of which the 
following is a specimen, extracted from a letter, dated London, Feb. 
18, 1797: 
“A correspondence with you, sir, will be as flattering to me as it 
is desirable. 1 have long heard of your knowledge and expertness 
in science, and shall be happy to receive any communications that 
have resulted from your study and experience.” - 
In a letter, dated July 3d, 1797, Mr. Jones repeats his solicita- 
tions as follows: “‘ Your celebrity as a philosopher is not a little 
known in this country. Mr. Jefferson many years ago, mentioned 
your name to me, and showed me the description of your air pump. 
A correspondence with you respecting science and instruments, will 
be highly gratifying to me, and what small leisure an unremitting 
attention to business will permit, I shall be happy te snatch occa-- 
sionally for your information.” 
The correspondence, thus commenced with this enlightened and 
philosophical mechanician, was continued with him, and after bis 
death, with his brother, without intermission, to the close of Dr. 
Prince’s life, and became the foundation of a sincere and most inter- 
esting friendship. It is indeed delightful to witness the genial influ- 
ence of scientific pursuits upon the affections, binding together the 
hearts of those between whose persons an ocean had always rolled. 
The letters of Messrs. William and Samuel Jones ate full of ex- 
pressions of admiration and gratitude towards Dr. Prince. In one 
* Gentleman's Magazine, vol. 66, 2d part, 1796, pp. 897, 1080, When ‘Mr. 
Dobson of Philadelphia, published the Supplement to the Encyclopedia Brittan- 
nica, Dr. Prince caused Mr. Hill’s description to be reprinted in it, under the arti- 
Ics. 
cle Orr 
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