Biographical Memoir of Count Htimford. 29 



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 recom- 

 pense ; but, at that period, there was none in New Hampshire. For- 

 tunately for him, he had obtained from nature what insures a favor- 

 able 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, became one of the great persona- 

 ges of the colony. 



His good fortune was not of long duration. The discontent which 

 the conduct of the Ministry and Parliament had, for ten years past, 

 so imprudently cherished, now rose to the greatest extremity. The 

 Government resolved on war, and New Hampshire* was destined to 

 be its first seat. 



In the night of the 18th April, 1775, the royal troops, marched 

 from Boston, and after having fought a first battle at Lexington, pro- 

 ceeded 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 government by important offi.- 

 ces. Her husband, young as he was, had himself received from it 

 some marks of confidence. His personal opinions besides, led him 

 to support tlie government. Thus it was natural that he should join 

 the ministerial party with all the fervor of his age, and freely parti- 

 cipate in its chances. He therefore retired 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 him any blame. 

 During the cruel period from which we have just emerged, f when 



* A slight mistake, arising, obviously, from confounding Concord in Massachu- 

 setts, where, and at Lexington, in its vicinity, the first blood was shed, in the war of 

 the revolution, with Concord in New Hampshire, which was the only State, that 

 never was entered by tlie Royal troop? during the revolution. — Ed. 



t The period of tlie Revolution, 



