for many years a classical school at Bethlem in Litchfield County, and 

 was afterwards the first President of Hamilton College in New York. Dr. 

 Backus was famous in his day for skill in training boys. He exercised a 

 very strong control, over even the vicious, by his genial disposition, his 

 good common sense, his keen wit, his unsleeping vigilance, his long suf- 

 fering patience, his respectable attainments in Science, and his devout 

 deference to the will of God. Those who knew Dr. Mitchell will readily 

 perceive that many of his excellent peculiarities, as a man and as a Profes- 

 sor, must have received an important developement by his association with 

 Dr. Backus. 



Dr. Mitchell graduated at Yale College in 1813. along with' the Hon. 

 George E. Badger, Dr. Olmsted, President Longstreet, Mr. Thomas P. De- 

 VEREUX, the Rev. Mr. Singletary, and others who have been of note in 

 various walks in life. Among these he was counted as one of the best 

 scholars in their class, being especially distinguished for his knowledge of 

 English Literature. He was very popular with his College mates, and the 

 younger members of the Institution especially delighted to do him honor. 

 The College Society to which he belonged depended on him to gain it cred- 

 it on public occasions. His fine physiognomy, the dignity of his person, 

 the originality of his discussions, and the humor that enlivened them, ren- 

 dered his orations acceptable to his audiences, and secured him respect 

 from men of taste and education. It was not till the Senior year that he 

 became thoughtful on the subject of Religion. The kind and gentle per- 

 suasions of a classmate — a man of humble powers of mind but of exempla- 

 ry piety — had great influence in leading him to that serious examination 

 of his life and hopes, which resulted in his conversion. 



On quitting College, Dr. Mitchell taught in a school for boys, under the 

 care of Dr. Eigenbrodt, at Jamaica, in Long Island. Afterwards, in the 

 Spring of 1815, he took charge of a school for girls in New London, Con- 

 necticut. Here he formed an acquaintance with Miss Maria S. North, 

 who was the daughter of an eminent physician of that place, and became 

 his wife in 1819. Experience has shown the wisdom of this choice, inas- 

 much as for nearly forty years this lady presided over his household, so as 

 to command his entire esteem and confidence. In 1816 |Dr. Mitchell 

 became a Tutor in Yale College, and while so engaged he was recommen- 

 ded to the favorable notice of the Trustees of the University of North Car- 

 olina. This was done through Judge Gaston, by the Rev. Sereno E. D wight, 

 a son of President Dwight, and at that time Chaplain to the Senate of the 

 United States. Ever since 1802 one of the most active and judicious of 

 the Trustees of the University, Judge Gaston was at that time a member 

 of the House of Representatives, and on terms of intimacy with Mr. 



