THE

ANALECTIC MAGAZINE.

NOVEMBER, 1818.

ART. I.-Biographical Notice of David Rittenhouse. DURING the progress of this work, we have presented our read

ers, with a series of biographical sketches of many of the most distinguished American warriors and statesmen. In the present number, we introduce an American philosopher, and one who has honoured our country, equally by his genius and his virtues. In the active operations of war and of government, it is comparatively easy, for a man of talents, to place himself in a prominent point of view, and to command the notice of his fellow-citizens. But how few are the men of science, who have been able, by the quiet labours of the closet, thus to attract the public attention: in our own country, alas, how very few!

The first of the ancestors of Dr. Rittenhouse, of whom we have any certain information, was his grandfather Nicholas Rittenhouse, who migrated from Holland to New York, about the year 1690, and soon afterwards, removed with his family to the neighbourhood of Germantown, about eight miles from Philadelphia; where he had the merit of establishing the first paper mill, ever erected in America. Matthias, the youngest son of this respectable man, was the father of our philosopher. He was born at the paper-mills, in the year 1703, and continued there until he was 29 years of age; when, in consequence of his father's death, he abandoned the occupation of a paper-maker, removed to a piece of land which he had purchased in the township of Norriton, about twenty miles from Philadelphia, and commenced the business of a farmer. About three years prior to this removal, he married Elizabeth Williams, who was born in 1704, and was the daughter of Evan Williams, a native of Wales. By this wife, he had four sons and six daughters. The three eldest of the children were born at the place of their father's nativity, the others at Norriton. Of the former number, was David, the eldest son, and the subject of the present biography, who was born on the eighth day of April, 1732.

The early part of the life of Dr. Rittenhouse was spent in agricultural employments, under the direction of his father. Yet, even amid the obscurity of these humble labours, proofs of his peculiar genius were not wanting. His younger brother, Benjamin, has re