ful expounder and defender of the constitution-will pass down to posterity with still increasing esteem, and do honor to New Hampshire. They will excite the virtuous emulation of her aspiring youth, and tend to guide their steps to eminence.

Nor should the religious interests of the State be overlooked. These have been superintended by a ministry consisting of, apparently, as sound and faithful men, as can be found laboring together in any State of our Union, among an equal population. A recent review of their history has been taken; and its well informed author, addressing "the General Association," a body which dates its origin in 1747, declares: "Of 686, who from the first have filled the office of pastors in our churches, but about 150 now survive. All settled previous to 1780 are starred on the register of their names. Of those settled between 1780 and 1800, we can find but eight among the living, and not one of them in the active duties of the ministry. But though dead they yet speak. Some of them experienced great trials and hardships for Christ's sake,―enduring perils in the wilderness and perils among savages. But they were strong in faith, constant in labors, enduring unto the end. Never, probably, has there existed," he adds, "through a period of more than two centuries, a succession of one class of ministers, more united in sentiment, more harmonious in practice, more consistent in example, more free from ambition and envy, and the strife of controversy, more self-denying, more useful as citizens, and more respected in their several fields of labor, than the Congregational and Presbyterian ministers of New Hampshire. A few, indeed, though very few, have proved themselves unworthy of their calling and office. Some have renounced their first faith, but the great body of them have stood firm amid changes, and were found faithful unto death."*

The writer then notices the closing scenes of the lives of several of the pastors, as evidences of their sincerity and faithfulness; and especially commemorates MOODY of Portsmouth, McGREGOR of Londonderry, Dr. MCCLINTOCK of Greenland, HIDDEN of Tamworth, Dr. HARRIS of Dunbarton, and Dr. CHURCH of Pelham, among those who have given their dying testimonies to "the truth as it is in JESUS." Many other names are precious to the churches and to surviving friends; and that such a ministry, still more and more enriched with Divine grace, may be perpetuated through the coming generations, every Christian patriot must desire; since it is only through the prevalence of the religion of the Gospel that any community can truly prosper. For the Christian ministry is the institution of GOD for human welfare. And its usefulness is found not merely in reference to eternity but the present life also. Says the Commissioner of Common Schools, in his last Report to the Legislature of New Hampshire: "the clergymen of the various towns that I have visited deserve especial notice, for the lively interest they cherish in this movement [to improve the schools], for the valuable assistance they rendered me in my visits, and for the controlling influence which they exert on the minds of the people, in favor of general intelligence and sound learning."†

* Rev. Mr. Bouton's Hist. Discourse, Aug. 22, 1848, p. 24. † See Report for 1848, p. 4.

Although allusion has thus been made to the important subject of training the youth of the State, and to the promotion of "sound learning;" it yet seems proper to insert in this place a general view of it, with which the compiler of this work has been very obligingly favored by the Rev. Dr. COGSWELL, President of the Theological Seminary at Gilmanton. It is inserted entire, under the head of

"EDUCATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. The common school system of education," observes the Doctor, "so generally prevalent in New England, was very early adopted by the inhabitants of New Hampshire. In this respect, the State was probably as observant of duty as Massachusetts and Connecticut.

"The first law enacted for the establishment of what are termed 'town schools' was passed in 1647 by the General Court of Massachusetts. The preamble and law are as follows: 'It being one chiefe project of that old deluder, Sathan, to keep men from the knowledge of Scriptures, as in former times, keeping them in an unknowne tongue, so in these latter times, by persuading them from the use of tongues, so that at least, the true sence and meaning of the original might be clouded with false glosses, of saint seeming deceivers; and that learning may not bee buried in the grave of our forefathers in church and commonwealth, the LORD assisting our endeavors:

"It is therefore ordered by this Courte and authority thereof, That every townshipp within this jurisdiction, after that the LORD hath increased them to the number of fifty hows-holders, shall then forthwith appoint one within theire towne, to teach all such children as shall resorte to him, to write and read; whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or by the inhabitants in generall, by way of supplye, as the major parte of those who order the prudentials of the towne shall appointe; provided that those who send theire children, bee not oppressed by paying much more than they can have them taught for in other townes.'

"This law extended to the inhabitants of New Hampshire, as the union between this State and Massachusetts took place in 1641. The ultimate object to be obtained by our Puritan ancestors in these schools was, that their children might be enabled to read and understand for themselves. They were zealous for the maintenance of the Protestant principle of private judgment in matters of religious faith and practice.

"The first law passed by New Hampshire, after it became a province, was enacted in 1693, amid the terrors and distresses of the sanguinary war with the Indians and the French, and shows how regardful of education the people at that time were. The law runs thus: it is enacted and ordained, that for the building and repairing of meeting-houses, ministers' houses, school houses, and allowing a salary to a school master in each town within this province, the selectmen in the respective towns shall raise money by an equal rate and assessment upon the inhabitants, and every town within this province (Dover only excepted during the war) shall, from and after the publication hereof, provide a school master for the supply of the town on penalty of ten pounds; and for

2*

neglect thereof, to be paid, one half to their Majesties, and the other half to the poor of the town.'

"In 1719, a law was passed which ordained, that every town having fifty householders or upwards, shall be constantly provided with a school master to teach children and youth to read and write.

"In 1783, the voice of New Hampshire on the subject of education was expressed in language worthy of a free and sovereign State, and contained in the constitution of government then voluntarily adopted. It is as follows: 'Knowledge and learning, generally diffused through a community, being essential to the preservation of a free government, and spreading the opportunities and advantages of education, through the various parts of the country, being highly conducive to promote this end; it shall be the duty of the legislators and magistrates, in all future periods of this government, to cherish the interests of literature and the sciences, and all seminaries and public schools, to encourage private and public institutions, rewards and immunities for the promotion of sciences and natural history.

"Since the adoption of the constitution, the acts of the government in favor of common schools have been liberal. They are now by law established throughout the State, and every child and youth may enjoy the benefits of education proffered by them. For their support, by a law of the State about $100,000 is annually raised by a tax upon the people.* The literary fund amounting to $64,000 formed by a tax of one half per cent. on the capital of the banks, has been distributed to the different towns. The proceeds of this fund, and also an annual income of about $10,000 derived from a tax on banks, are appropriated to aid in support of schools, besides what is raised by the several districts themselves.

"There are, according to the last census of the United States, 2,127 common schools and 83,632 scholars attending them, being 1 in every 3 40-100 of the whole population of the State, and being a greater number, in proportion to the inhabitants, than is furnished from any other State in the Union, with but one exception. There are only 942 individuals in the State over 20 years of age who can neither read nor write, being only 1 to 307 of the population, and being a less number than in any other State, one only excepted.

"The number of academies and high schools in the State is about 70, being 1 to every 4,000 inhabitants. The number of students attending them is 5,799, being on an average more than 80 to an institution, and 1 to about every 50 of the inhabitants. This intermediate class of institutions between common schools and colleges is generally in a flourishing condition. Most of them are private corporations for public purposes, and need more funds for their support, that they may accomplish with greater energy the work devolving upon them.

“Phillips Academy, Exeter. This is the oldest and best endowed academy in the State. It was founded by Hon. JOHN PHILLIPS, LL. D., and was in

* Whole amount raised in 1848, $147,744,82.-See Report cited above, p. 43.

corporated, April 3, 1781. It has $70,000 in funds, a library of 600 or 700 volumes, and a valuable philosophical apparatus. More students probably have been prepared for college at this academy than at any other in the United States. About 2,500 individuals have been members of it.

“The next oldest academies are the following, viz. New Ipswich, incorporated in 1789; Chesterfield, incorporated in 1790; Atkinson, incorporated in 1791; Gilmanton and Haverhill, incorporated in 1794. Kimball Union Academy, established at Plainfield in 1813, is in a very flourishing condition, and many of its students are fitting for college. It has funds to the amount of $40,000, principally the donation of the Hon. DANIEL KIMBALL, the income of which is devoted to the assistance of pious, indigent young men preparing for the ministry. Gilmanton Academy at the present time is in a prosperous state. Its productive funds are about $11,000, and its number of pupils was never greater than now. The Academy located at New Hampton, and incorporated in 1821, has a large number of students, including the male and female departments. Pinkerton Academy, at Derry, incorporated in 1814, has funds to a considerable amount, and is a very valuable institution.

“Dartmouth College, named after the Earl of Dartmouth, an early benefactor, is one of the most flourishing in the United States, and is situated in the south-west part of Hanover, about half a mile east of Connecticut River, on a beautiful and extensive plain, where there is a handsome village. It was founded by the Rev. ELEAZAR WHEELOCK, D. D., and chartered by royal grant, in 1769. The funds, which are respectable, were obtained by donations from individuals, and by grants from the legislatures of New Hampshire and Vermont. The buildings are good, and six in number-all of them of brick, except one, and most of them bearing names of benefactors. The trustees of the institution are twelve in number, the Governor of the State being one, ex officio. The executive government is entrusted to a president, fourteen professors, two tutors, and one teacher. The college libraries contain about 17,000 volumes. The Institution has a good philosophical, mathematical, astronomical, and chemical apparatus, a very good anatomical museum, an extensive and very valuable mineralogical cabinet, most of it a donation from the late FREDERIC HALL, LL. D., and some valuable paintings. The terms of admission and course of instruction are the same as at the best colleges in the country The number of alumni of the college is more than 3,000. The number of under graduates is about 300. The medical school connected with the college was established in 1797, and has ever been held in high repute. It has now five professors, and is in a flourishing condition. The number of graduates at the school is over 700; a larger number than have graduated at any other medical institution in New England. The medical lectures commence early in the autumn. There is a well endowed grammar school connected with the college. Great improvements are about being made to the library, and to the philosophical, mathematical, and chemical appara

tus.

"Gilmanton Theological Seminary is located in the centre of the State, and was established in 1835, and is founded upon the charter of Gilmanton Academy, as the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass., is upon the charter of Phillips Academy in that place. The Academy was incorporated in 1794' and that and the Seminary are under the same board of trustees, ten in number. The terms of admission and course of study at the Seminary are like those of the other theological institutions in the country. The anniversary is on the second Thursday in July. The library contains more than 3,000 volumes, among which are many rare and important works. It has also a museum of considerable magnitude. The regular term of study occupies three years. Nearly ever since the Seminary was established, it has had three professors. It now has, in addition, a president. Between fifty and sixty young gentlemen have already completed their studies, and entered the university. The present number of students is between twenty and thirty.*

"The Theological Institution at New Hampton is a branch of the Academy in that place, both together bearing the incorporate name of Academical and Theological Institution, which was given it in 1826. The Academy was at first incorporated in 1821, by the name of 'Proprietors of New Hampton Academy.' The Theological Department, as a distinct branch, did not go into full operation until 1833, at which time there were seventeen students; the number since has increased to about thirty. The library consists of about 600 volumes. This institution is, by charter, wholly under the control of the Baptist denomination.

"The New Hampshire Historical Society was formed in 1823, and has been the third most efficient institution of the kind in the United States. It has published five octavo volumes of Historical Collections. Its library contains between 1,000 and 2,000 volumes, besides some thousands of pamphlets. Its location is in Concord.

"The Northern Academy of Arts and Sciences was established June 24, 1841, at Hanover, where its centre of operations is. It has published two annual reports, and has in contemplation the publication of a quarterly periodical. Its library already amounts to about 1,400 volumes, and more than 4,000 pamphlets.

"The New Hampshire Medical Society was incorporated February 11, 1791.

* This was four years ago. Changes have occurred since.