temporize acrostics, with untiring good humor, for the little album of a school-girl.

The specimens of Mr. Graham's Translations are printed for similar reasons, and not with the view of forcing them into comparison with what has been done by others. They were, for the most part, composed in connection with a circle of friends engaged in the study of German, who competed with each other in versifying their favorite poems. To such friends, therefore, they must be more interesting than even original productions of equal merit. I may add, that the specimens of Horace too have their personal relations: they were composed, for the gratification of one, to whom the best of his original poetry was also devoted.

I have printed nothing with so much hesitation as the two prose fragments, with which the volume closes. The long and carefully labored Essay on Imputation having been rejected, as out of keeping with the other contents of the volume, these two seemed to be the best available specimens of Mr. Graham's ordinary style of Prose. It was much regretted, that no copy of the two other, and far more interesting, parts of the Essay on Coleridge, which had been communicated to the Society, before which the first was read, could be found; and in re-writing his Essay on Rhythm, for a friend, he had only completed the introduction. I much fear, lest these specimens may do Mr. Graham injustice, for they may appear to some to promise what he was not able to perform. But it was not so. He had fully matured these subjects in his mind, and had communicated the results clearly and satisfactorily to others; but the manuscripts from which he spoke, rather than read, however full and methodical they might be, were prepared only as guides in such oral communication, and were not adapted, either in form or finish, for the eye of a reader.

Having thus stated, with (I fear) a wearisome particularity, the circumstances under which this volume appears before the public, I have only to add, that if the reader should fail of discovering sufficient grounds, in the kind or amount of the work I have done, for putting my name on the title-page, he is not more at a loss, in that respect, than I am myself. It has been done in obedience to the earnest injunction of another; and I am reconciled to it only in so far as it bears witness to the interest which I take in the memory of one, who had honored me with his friendship, and to the confidence reposed in me by the survivor.

March, 1849.

G. A.

MEMOIR.

WILLIAM SLOAN GRAHAM was born near New London, Chester Co., Pa., April 23, 1818. He was the third son of the Rev. Robert Graham, pastor of the Presbyterian church of New London, a most excellent man, the memory of whose faithful services for many long years is still affectionately cherished by that people.

This father, judging from the manner in which his son ever spoke of him, exercised over his whole family a remarkably happy influence. He moved among them as a spirit purified by constant communion with heaven. As it was in the days of the patriarchs, so was it here; the will of their father was the highest authority his children knew upon earth. Their sleeping chamber adjoined his study, and before daybreak in the morning, or in the silence of midnight, the children were accustomed to hear his voice ascending in earnest supplication for them, to "our Father which art in Heaven." Such was his devotion to their eternal interests, that he never allowed a day to pass without calling some one of his little flock to his side, and conversing and praying with them alone; and rarely upon these occasions did they separate without both parties being melted to tears.

His mother, whose name was Ann Ross, was the daughter

of John Ross, of London Grove, of the same county. She was a diffident but intelligent woman; an active, cheerful Christian, enjoying uninterrupted good health; and with her courage and counsel upheld her husband when in the course of his arduous duties his spirits failed. Upon her devolved, in an especial manner, the care of the family. To her the children were accustomed to turn for every want. Under her direction they worked or played, while the father, visiting his parishioners, or preparing his sermons, came among them only at stated seasons to speak the words of approbation or reproof, or to minister to their spiritual wants.

William's very delicate constitution, rendered him a constant source of anxiety to his parents. He was reared and watched like a pet flower. The germs of disease were stifled in the bud. The tenderest precautions ever surrounded him. As he grew older, his health improved, and from the time he was twelve years of age, continued unimpaired. As a child, his amiability of temper and liveliness of talent, secured to himself the warm attachment of his whole family. His elder sister says, "Though fond of play and very active at times, he was decidedly a quiet child, and always fond of reading. He used to steal into Papa's study to get rid of noise and interruption. Oh how plainly can I hear ‹ William’ called, and called in vain; then hear the reply, 'You might know he is in Papa's study.' And when there were gentlemen staying with us, I can remember how he would noiselessly sit in a corner of the room, listening to every word; until my father would often say playfully to him, 'You little rogue, you hear too much.""

At this period, in company with his brothers, he attended