On the 4th of July, 1831, the anniversary of American independence, just five years after his illustrious predecessors, Adams and Jefferson, had quitted the scenes of their labors, he expired as the peals of joy broke upon the light of day, and the city exhibited its crowded population rushing to partake of the national festival. He died well; for he had reached and passed the ordinary bound of human life, being over seventy-three years old. He had no complaints to make of his country; for she had listened to his claims of extraordinary expenditure, and paid them without any mortifying scrutiny. The citizens of New York, under the direction of their municipal authorities, gave him a splendid funeral; coffin, hearse and pall would have done honor to Cæsar's obsequies, and the eloquent and learned head of Columbia college pronounced the eulogy.

The half century in which Mr. Monroe was an actor on the great stage of public life, was most eventful in the history of nations. The great fountain of human knowledge had been opened in Europe; and our countrymen had drank deeply of the waters, and their eyes were opened. The fulness of time for some great event had come; although the political seers could not exactly, by their auguries, tell what it would be. The American revolution was not a matter of accident, "but the sound result of sober inquiry and deliberation." The spirit of intelligence had for a long time been working upon the feelings of a high-minded people, and leading them by its holy influences to self-government. Our seminaries of learning were full of liberal views, as in fact most literary and scientific institutions in every age and nation have been; and the professions were so many

channels through which it flowed to the people at large.

Mr. Monroe began his public career as a soldier, which was of great service to him in every subsequent stage in his eventful life. Intrepidity and decision are indispensable requisites for a soldier, and these traits become equally necessary in the moral bravery of a statesman. The effects of this military education in early life has been noticed in the characters of some of our most energetic politicians, as every reader may call to mind, in looking over the names of many distinguished men, from Washington down to subalterns of the revolutionary army.

Mr. Monroe had a sound constitution, and a well balanced mind. He made his calculations with deliberation, and his political movements were generally successful; if not at first, his perseverance eventually secured success. Mr. Monroe will not want for biographers; for he was so intimately connected, from his youth upwards, with the progress of events in our history, that something relating to him must appear in almost every page of our annals.

The imperturbable serenity which he possessed at all times, was an excellent ingredient in the composition of a diplomatist, and was often of service to the executive officer. In making up his mind on any subject, he was never dazzled by the brilliant coloring of his own imagination, nor led astray by any tormenting passion. His political ambition was constantly gratified, and he had no avarice to lead him from the plain path of duty. Some may be greater, many as great; but ages may pass before one more fortunate will he found in the presidential chair of our republic.

BIOGRAPHY

OF

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

1 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS is descended from a race of farmers, tradesmen, and mechanics. In 1630, his remote ancestor, Henry Adams, came to America, with seven sons, and established himself in this country. Thus early rooted in the soil, a warm attachment to the cause and the rights of America has been, from generation to generation, the birthright of this family.

The first of this name, who emerged from private life, and rose to conspicuous public stations, were Samuel Adams, the proscribed patriot o! the Revolution, and John Adams who was pronounced by his venerable copatriot, Thomas Jefferson, "The Colossus of Independence." These two distinguished benefactors of their country, were descendants of the same remote ancestor. Samuel Adams deceased without male issue; John Quincy Adams is the son of his illustrious fellow laborer and relative. He was born in the year 1767, and was named for John Quincy, his great-grandfather, who bore a distinguished part in the councils of the province, at the commencement of the last century.

The principles of American Independence and freedom were instilled into the mind of Mr. John Q. Adams, in the very dawn of his existence. Both of his revered parents had entered, with every power