of no design itself, it suspects none in others. Such was the state of Eden, when the serpent entered its bowers.

"By degrees he infuses into the heart of Blannerhasset the poison of his own ambition. He breathes into it the fire of his own courage; a daring and desperate thirst for glory; an ardor, panting for great enterprises; for the storm, bustle, and hurricane of life. In a short time the whole man is changed; every object of former delight is relinquished. No more he enjoys the tranquil scene. His books are abandoned. His shrubbery blooms, and breathes its fragrance upon the air, in vain. His ear no longer drinks the rich melody of music; it longs for the trumpet's clangor and the cannon's roar. Even the prattle of his babes, once so sweet, no longer affects him. The angel smile of his wife, which hitherto touched his bosom with ecstasy unspeakable, is now unseen and unfelt. His imagination has been dazzled by visions of diadems, of stars, and garters, and titles of nobility, &c. &c.

"In a few months, we find the beautiful and tender partner of his bosom, whom he lately permitted not the winds of summer to visit too roughly;' we find her shivering on the winter banks of the Ohio, and mingling her tears with the torrents that froze as they fell. Yet this unfortunate man, thus deluded from his interest and his happiness, thus seduced from the paths of innocence and peace, thus confounded in the toils that were deliberately spread for him, and overwhelmed by the mastering spirit and genius of another;-this man, thus ruined and undone, and made to play a subordinate part in this grand drama of guilt and treason, this man is to be called the principal offender; while he, by whom he was thus plunged in misery, is comparatively innocent, a mere accessory! Is this reason? Is it law? Is it humanity? Sir, neither the human heart, nor the human understanding will bear a perversion so monstrous and absurd! so shocking to the soul! so revolting to reason! Let Aaron Burr, then, not shrink from the high destination which he has courted; and having already ruined Blannerhasset in fortune, character, and happiness for ever, let him not attempt to finish the tragedy, by

thrusting that ill-fated man between himself and punishment." (Burr's Trial, vol. ii. pp. 96, 98.)

Highly honorable testimonials of Mr. Wirt's professional eminence and individual worth occurred on the event of his decease, as well among the members of the bar, as in court and in the House of Representatives. The latter an unusual occurrence, as he had never been a member of Congress, though he had been Attorney General twelve years, (from 1817 to 1829-Monroe's and J. Q. Adams' administrations.)

LETTER XLIX.

OCTOBER 10, 1833.

IN 1795, Alexander Hamilton, at the age of thirty-eight, resumed the practice of the law in the city of New York, and there continued until the close of his life. In December of that year, his personal appearance was this: He was under middle size, thin in person, but remarkably erect and dignified in his deportment. His bust, seen in so many houses, and the pictures and prints of him make known, too generally, the figure of his face, to make an attempt at description expedient. His hair was turned back from his forehead, powdered, and collected in a club behind. His complexion was exceedingly fair, and varying from this only by the almost feminine rosiness of his cheeks. His might be considered, as to figure and color, an uncommonly handsome face. When at rest, it had rather a severe and thoughtful expression; but when engaged in conversation, it easily assumed an attractive smile. He was expected, one day in December, 1795, at dinner, and was the last who came. When he entered the room, it was apparent from the respectful attention of the company, that he was a distinguished individual. He was dressed

in a blue coat with bright buttons; the skirts of his coat were unusually long. He wore a white waistcoat, black silk small clothes, white silk stockings. The gentleman, who received him as a guest, introduced him to such of the company as were strangers to him; to each he made a formal bow, bending very low, the ceremony of shaking hands not being observed. The fame of Hamilton had reached every one, who knew anything of public men. His appearance and deportment accorded with the dignified distinction to which he had attained in public opinion. At dinner, whenever he engaged in the conversation, every one listened attentively. His mode of speaking was deliberate and serious; and his voice engagingly pleasant. In the evening of the same day, he was in a mixed assembly of both sexes; and the tranquil reserve, noticed at the dinner table, had given place to a social and playful manner, as though in this he was alone ambitious to excel.

The eloquence of Hamilton was said to be persuasive and commanding; the more likely to be so, as he had no guide but the impulse of a great and rich mind, he having had little opportunity to be trained at the bar, or in popular assemblies. Those who could speak of his manner from the best opportunities to observe him in public and private, concurred in pronouncing him to be a frank, amiable, high-minded, open-hearted gentleman. He was capable of inspiring the most affectionate attachment; but he could make those, whom he opposed, fear and hate him cordially. He was capable of intense and effectual application, as is abundantly proved by his public labors. But he had a rapidity and clearness of perception, in which he may not have been equalled. One, who knew his habits of study, said of him, that when he had a serious object to accomplish, his practice was to reflect on it previously; and when he had gone through this labor, he retired to sleep, without regard to the hour of the night, and having slept six or seven hours, he rose, and having taken strong coffee, seated himself at his table, where he would remain six, seven, or eight hours; and the product of his rapid pen required little correction

for the press. He was among the few alike excellent, whether in speaking, or in writing. In private and friendly intercourse, he is said to have been exceedingly amiable, and to have been affectionately beloved.

Aaron Burr was at this time, (December, 1795,) probably about Hamilton's age. He had attained to celebrity as a lawyer at the same bar. He was of about the same stature as Hamilton, and a thin man, but differently formed. His motions in walking were not, like Hamilton's, erect, but a little stooping, and far from graceful. His face was short and broad; his black eyes uncommonly piercing. His manner gentle and seductive. But he had also a calmness and sedateness, when these suited his purpose, and an eminent authority of manner, when the occasion called for this. He was said to have presided with great dignity in the Senate, and, especially, at the trial of Judge Chase. Though eminent as a lawyer, he was said not to be a man of distinguished eloquence, nor of luxuriant mind. His speeches were short and to the purpose.

Hamilton considered him, both as a man and as a politician, much as he proved to be in after life; and was not careful to conceal his opinions. In short, he held Burr to be an ambitious and dangerous man, and was indiscreet enough to have expressed his opinions in such a manner, as to enable Burr to take offence, and to call him to account.

It seems, that a certain Dr. Charles D. Cooper had written a letter to some one, in which he said, "General Hamilton and" (another person who need not be named) "have declared in substance, that they looked upon Mr. Burr as a dangerous man, and one who ought not to be trusted with the reins of government." "I could detail to you a still more despicable opinion, which General Hamilton has expressed of Mr. Burr." On the 18th of June, 1804, this latter had, some time after its publication, come to Burr's knowledge, and on that day he sent a copy of it to Hamilton, by Mr. Van Ness, in which he demanded "a prompt

and unqualified acknowledgment, or denial, of the use of any expression, which would warrant the assertions of Dr. Cooper."

On the 20th, General Hamilton made a reply of some length, commenting on the demand made on him, and on the expressions imputed to him, and concluded by saying, "I stand ready to avow or disavow, promptly and explicitly, any precise or definite opinion, which I may be charged with having declared of any gentleman." "It cannot be expected that I shall enter into an explanation, upon a basis so vague as that which you have adopted. I trust, on more reflection, you will see the matter in the same light with me. If not, I can only regret the circumstance and abide the consequences."

On the 21st, Burr answered, and among other things said, "Political opposition can never absolve gentlemen from the necessity of rigid adherence to the laws of honor and the rules of decorum. I neither claim such privilege, nor indulge it in others. The common sense of mankind affixes to the epithet adopted by Dr. Cooper, the idea of dishonor. It has been publicly applied to me, under the sanction of your name. Your letter has furnished me with new reasons for requiring a definite reply."

On the 22d, General Hamilton consulted with a friend, (Mr. Pendleton,) and showed to him an intended answer of that date, in which he said, after some introductory remarks, "If by a definite reply, you mean the direct avowal or disavowal, required in your letter, I have no other answer to give than that which has already been given. If you mean anything different, admitting of greater latitude, it is requisite you should explain.'

Conversations and correspondence ensued between Mr. Pendleton and Mr. Van Ness, in which it was made known to the latter, that General Hamilton could truly say, that he recollected only one conversation in which Dr. Cooper was present; and that it turned wholly on political topics, and did not attribute to Burr any instance of dishonorable conduct; nor relate to his private character; and that in relation to any other language, or con