Skilled also in the sciences, and with a strong taste for chemical studies, and all the correlative branches of natural philosophy, such as astronomy, botany, electric and galvanism, he had supplied his laboratory extensively the best apparatus for observation and experimenting with the arts could furnish.

Astronomy was a favorite s with this accomplished man. He had one of the best of eyes well mounted, with which he pierced the transparent so that region, in search of those wonderful revelations of suns and firmaments which this

grandest of sciences hade known to man. He had also a solar microscope, of een greatest magnifying power, with which he was accustom explore that infinity of minuteness which is the counter the infinity of grandeur. This man of rare accomples to have been an almost universal genius. His was exquisite; he composed many beautiful airs with unusual skill upon several musical instruments being the violoncello and the violin. It is said that eyes hall of his mansion was constructed with special reces giving effect to musical sounds. His cultivated were charmed with the exquisite tones which there via their ears.

The sciences of electricity and galvanism engaged a large che a Rennerhassett's attention. He was constantly mants and eliciting new facts in these wonderful hramdern science. In addition to these scientific Anshus, he had made such attainments in the claswas said he could repeat the whole of Homer's Iliad Anal Greek. In manners, Mr. Blennerhassett was Lys, mild and yielding. His virtues were of the amiacter, rather than of the more stubborn. He was easily the intriguing who had sufficient sagacity to discern his As His benevolence was unbounded, and his sympathy e sick and suffering very intense. Being conscious that in hate home in the New World he would have little access to

d medical attendance, he had paid very considerable attento the study of medicine, and had provided himself with an le supply of the most approved remedies for all sicknesses. i was ready freely to prescribe for his sick neighbors and to danister to them of his medicines.

It is said that one of his neighbors, to whom Mr. Blennerhassett

had loaned quite a sum of money, had his house and all his furniture consumed by fire. The enterprising, industrious man was thus reduced to absolute poverty, with a heavy debt hanging over him. Soon after, Mr. Blennerhassett invited the unfortunate man and his wife to dine at his table. After dinner he took his guests into his study, and told him that he would either cancel the debt, or he might let it stand, and he would make him a free gift of an order to the same amount on a store in Marietta. The honorable but unfortunate man preferred to commence his new struggle with adversity, free from all hindrances of pecuniary obligation. He therefore gratefully accepted the cancelling of the debt.

Mr. Blennerhassett was very fond of hunting. Quails and other small game abounded on the island. As he was quite nearsighted, his wife frequently accompanied him in these short excursions. Her quick eye would search out the game to which she would direct the attention of her husband. Mr. Blennerhassett was domestic in his tastes, and generally sedentary in his habits. He had no fondness for carousals or any riotous pleasures. But he greatly enjoyed the society of the cultivated guests, who in large numbers were allured to his hospitable mansion. He usually dressed in the old English style. His coat was of blue broadcloth, with gilt buttons. He wore invariably buff-colored or scarlet small clothes and silk stockings. Large silver buckles, highly polished, fastened his shues.

"In this quiet retreat," writes Mr. Hildreth, "insulated and separated from the noise and tumult of the surrounding world, amidst his books, with the company of his accomplished wife and children, he possessed all that seemed necessary for the happiness of man; and yet he lacked one thing, without which no man can be happy-a firm belief in the overruling providence of God. Voltaire and Rousseau, whose works he studied and admired, had poisoned his mind to the simple truths of the Gospel, and the Bible was a book which he seldom or never consulted. At least this was the fact while he lived on the Island, whatever it might have been after misfortune and want had humbled and sorely tried him."

Mrs. Blennerhassett, whose maiden name was Margaret Agnew, was in disposition far more ambitious and aspiring than her husband. It was a great trial to her to have him waste his brilliant powers in obscurity. She had heard him in several of his public

ered up, afterwards found means to escape, clung to their savage acquaintances at parting, and continued many days in bitter lamentations, even refusing sustenance.

J. W. Van Cleve, of Dayton, says that he was with a surveying party above the site of Columbus, in the year 1797. The party were nearly starved, having been reduced to three scanty meals in four days. In this condition they chanced to come upon the camp of a single Wyandot Indian with his family. The hospitable savage immediately gave them all the provisions he had, which consisted only of two rabbits and a small piece of venison; and still the father of this Wyandot had been murdered by vagabond white men in time of peace.

CHAPTER XXIX.

BLENNERHASSETT.

HIS

BIRTH AND EDUCATION OF HARMON BLENNERHASSETT EMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES- HIS HOME ON BLENNERHASSETT'S ISLAND-ITS BUILDINGS, FURNITURE AND APPOINTMENTS- Mr. BlenneRHASSETT'S True GeneroSITY APPEARANCE AND CHARActer of Mrs. BlennerhaSSETT HER DRESS, MANNERS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND HABITS— MIRTHFUL SCENES ON THE OHIO-DIFFICULTY OF TRAVEL IN OHIO, IN 1796-PROGRESS AT BELPRE-AARON BURR AND HIS TREASONABLE SCHEMES-HE VISITS BLENNERHASSETT'S ISLAND-HE UNFOLDS PART OF HIS PLANS AND ENGAGES WITH MR. BlennerHasseTT IN A LAND SPECULATION - HIS ENERGY AT MARIETTA.

HARMON BLENNERHASSETT was born of a noble family, in Hampshire, England, in the year 1767. The residence of the wealthy family was at Castle Conway, in the County of Kerry, Ireland. His parents were on a visit to England when this son was born. Harmon received a very thorough academic education at the Westminster School in England, where he manifested unusual taste for all classical studies. On leaving school he entered Trinity College, Dublin, where in due time he graduated with distinguished honors. A brilliant career seemed then opening before him. He was in the enjoyment of rank, wealth, and intellectual powers of a high order, richly cultivated. His personal appearance was unusually attractive and his manners prepossessing and winning. Young Blennerhassett read law at the King's Inn Courts, in Dublin, and was admitted to the bar in 1790. He, then, with a well filled purse, and in all the vigor and enthusiasm of youth, undertook the tour of Europe. Upon his return, he nominally assumed practice at the bar in Ireland. But being heir to a large fortune, he was by no means solicitous of engaging

in the drudgery of his profession. He devoted his time to the cultivation of his taste for the sciences, music, and general literature.

In 1796 his father died. Harmon Blennerhassett, then twentynine years of age, came into full possession of his fortune. Becoming involved in some political difficulties in Ireland, he sold his estate there and removed to England. All his associations were with the highest of the nobility. He soon married Miss Margaret Agnew, daughter of the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle-of-Man. Lord Kingsale and Admiral de Courcey both married sisters of Mr. Blennerhassett. His relatives and family connections were all staunch royalists, looking down upon the demands for popular rights with aristocratic contempt. Mr. Blennerhassett, unfortunately for his worldly peace and prosperity, had imbibed republican principles. This rendered his situation in England, in the high circles in which only he moved, very uncomfortable. He finally concluded to remove to the United States, where he could give utterance to his sentiments, undisturbed by the disdain and reproaches of his friends.

Before leaving London he purchased a large library of classical and scientific books, and also an extensive chemical and philosophical apparatus. He also provided himself abundantly with everything which could contribute to the luxurious enjoyment of a home in the new world. Taking ship, he landed with his wife and some attendants in New York in the year 1797. He brought letters which immediately introduced him to the first families in the city. His wealth, rank and culture immediately gave him name and fame, and his society was much courted.

He spent several months in New York making inquiries respecting the most attractive portions of the country in which to establish himself. He heard much of the Beautiful River, its forests, its prairies, its rich soil, mild climate and salubrious breezes. And particularly he heard of the luxuriant Eden-like islands which adorned the majestic stream.

In the rich autumnal weather of 1797 he crossed the mountains to Pittsburgh. After spending a few weeks there, he took a large, flat-bottomed boat, richly furnished, and floated down the Ohio to Marietta. Here he passed the Winter, making various explorations in search of the most beautiful spot he could find for a permanent residence.

Fourteen miles below the mouth of the Muskingum there was a