life, with a shattered and broken constitution. Yet no moment, in which it was possible to labor, was lost. He seized with avidity upon every interval from pain. Even when under the pressure of severe suffering, and unable to leave his study, he had contrived some mental employment, which would relieve the tedium of confinement, and at the same time, be useful to his fellow creatures. In this respect, he resembled Richard Baxter, of whose writings he was extremely fond, and who labored indefatigably, while suffering under almost all the ills to which men are incident. This industry was, however, very far removed from all bustle and excitement. There was not the least affectation of extraordinary diligence. Some men, by their glowing zeal and boisterous industry, convey the impression that they have no method in their labors, and that their work will need amendment, if not an entire revision. Dr. Porter was ever calm and collected, for he clearly apprehended the nature of his duties, the order in which they were to be performed, and the strength necessary for their accomplishment. Dr. Porter possessed a discriminating mind. In power of profound investigation on abstruse subjects he was excelled by some other men. But he mastered whatever he undertook. He clearly apprehended the relations of the different parts of a subject, and the bearing of the whole on a particular object. His study of language, his skill in the use of it, the necessity, imposed upon him by his office, of skilfully analyzing sentences, doubtless contributed to this result. Language without meaning, terms without discrimination, discourse without logic, no one was more unwilling or less liable to exhibit. This fault in others, when it fell under his observation, and when circumstances rendered it proper, he subjected to a severe yet just and kind animadversion. There is great perfection in Dr. Porter's style of writing. So far as the nice balance of sentences, the harmonious collocation of their members, and the selection of apt and beautiful words are concerned, he was rarely ever excelled. There was no heterogeneous agglomeration of epithets or of sentences, no verbiage, no confusion of metaphors. Every thing was distinct, clear, finished. We have the same associations respecting the perfection of his style, which we have with that of Prof. Playfair, Thomas Campbell, and Prof. Frisbie. His words fell on the ear like the music of Handel. his best discourses, the extreme polish was not apparent. The order was so logical, and the sentences were so accurately adjusted, that we never thought of the indefatigable attention which had been bestowed upon them. The sentiment was so clearly and precisely expressed, as to occupy the entire attention of the hearer. It found a lodgment in the inmost soul. Some of Dr. Porter's sermons, as delivered by him when in the enjoyment of comparative health, were felt in the conscience and in the heart, and produced great and permanent effects. After all which may be said respecting unstudied nature, the outbreaking of natural eloquence, the happy disregard of rule and of formality, of which we so frequently hear, it is yet refreshing and instructive beyond expression to listen to wellcomposed sentences, which have been subjected to the revision of a severely disciplined mind. There is a perfection in some of the sentences of a few English writers, like Milton and Cowper, which we are wholly unable to describe, but which affords the highest mental pleasure.

In

A prominent trait in the social character of Dr. Porter was his exact and methodical arrangement of all his business transactions, in connection with great benevolence of character, and, considering his means, extensive charities. No individual was ever less obnoxious to the charge of avarice. We never heard the least intimation of any thing resembling

meanness in his intercourse with his fellow creatures. At the same time, a thoroughly bred accountant could not have managed his affairs more prudently and systematically. His habits in this particular, as must be the case with all good habits, descended to things minute and comparatively unimportant. It is a most valuable acquisition, and worthy of the serious attention of all students, who would, on the one hand, preserve themselves free from the charge of avarice and a want of fair and honorable dealing, and, on the other hand, maintain the rules of Christian economy, providing things honest in the sight of all men, in order that they may render their families comfortable, and have wherewithal to bestow upon him that needeth. A parsimonious habit and a wasteful expenditure are equally removed from the spirit of the Christian religion. Cheerfulness was an interesting and prominent trait in Dr. Porter's domestic character. When suffering severe pains of body, while confined for whole dreary winters to his house, or compelled, on the approach of winter, to leave his beloved home and his ardently cherished seminary, and repair to a warmer climate and the society of strangers, he still maintained the serenity of a composed mind. When any thing betided ill to the cause of his country, or of Christianity, he was not accustomed so to dwell on the unfavorable aspect, as to cloud his brow in gloom, to distrust a merciful Providence, or to incapacitate himself for labor. His natural character was undoubtedly peculiarly amiable. The influence also of a firm and humble hope in Christ, had refined and perfected an original endowment of nature.* We may also add that there was a remarkable simplicity and honesty of character in Dr. Porter. No one ever accused him of duplicity, double dealing, equivocation, or any thing of the kind. He possessed a sterling integrity, founded on Christian principle, which carried him above all the arts of evasion and of insincerity. He was an Israelite indeed, in whom there was no guile. No one ever imagined that Dr. Porter could be enlisted in any undertaking which would not bear the light of day and the scrutiny of an enlightened conscience. At the same time, there was nothing scrupulous or over-just in his habits of thinking or acting. He did not fall into the fault of some excellent men, in following the letter of the law beyond its spirit, or in pressing rules excellent in themselves into matters indifferent, and thus creating positive injustice. Combining these, and other interesting traits of social character which we have not here room to delineate, Dr. Porter was, as might have been expected, an interesting companion, a tender and faithful counsellor, a conscientious instructor, and a Christian gentleman.

Dr. Porter's religious views were distinguished for the attribute of clearness. He did not possess the spiritual imagination of Dr. Payson, nor the amplitude in range of John Howe, nor the fertile invention of Richard Baxter, but the objects of faith which came within the scope of his mental view, were most distinctly apprehended, and left on his character and conduct the most definite impressions. His religious reading was extensive, and always discriminating, his acquaintance with pious men and sacred institutions was varied and long continued, his religious experience decided and thorough, and all were turned to the best practical purposes. The system of religious doctrines which he cherished, and at all times firmly maintained, accorded with that taught by his venerable theological

It may be well to state in this place, that the painting from which the engraving (an engraving which is, in most respects, remarkably good) of Dr. Porter, in the present No. of the Register, was taken, fails to do justice to the original in this respect. There was an abiding cheerfulness on his countenance-the index of a serene and contented mind. It was depicted on his features in such a manner as to render it very difficult to be transferred to the canvass,

instructor, Dr. Bellamy. After mature and careful examination, he was convinced that this system was founded on the Scriptures. Hence in the exhibition and defence of it, he was explicit and decided. Yet he was never intolerant, nor pertinacious. He never maintained the opinion, nor exemplified it in his practice, that orthodoxy, in the absence of the Christian temper, is acceptable to Heaven, or that the mode and spirit in which a doctrine are exhibited are of no consequence, provided the doctrine itself be sound. He strove to maintain peace, and a Christian temper, while he explained and enforced the pure truth of the gospel, never postponing or undervaluing peace while he contended for purity. Scarcely any topic was exhibited more frequently or impressively in his public preaching than the importance of love for the truth and Christian meekness, in addition to zeal for orthodoxy; and that eminent spiritual affections ought always to accompany and consecrate fresh acquisitions of religious knowledge. was ever aware of the great danger of substituting biblical or theological learning for vital piety. His influence upon the seminary, and upon candidates for the ministry, in this respect, was constantly and successfully exerted.

He

To our various public charitable institutions, Dr. Porter was a uniform and invaluable friend. He not only felt a deep interest in them, and offered prayer in their behalf, but contributed liberally for their support. He perceived their intimate and essential relation to the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and to the promotion of the best interests of the human race. Το no one of these institutions did he exhibit a stronger attachment, than to the American Education Society. He was among the first to perceive the necessity of special efforts to seek out and bring forward ministers and missionaries for the numerous fields which are whitening for the harvest. To this important subject, from the outset, he gave a large amount of thought and personal effort. His extensive and important influence in the southern States, as well as in other portions of the country, was most cheerfully exerted. When this Society was called to experience severe embarrassment and trial, Dr. Porter remained stedfast to its interests, and prompt to afford encouragement and aid. Every successive year in its history furnishes evidence of the wisdom and forecast of his views in relation to this great cause. At the anniversary of the society in Boston, in 1820, he delivered a sermon, which has been regarded as among his ablest productions. It discovers the anxious, paternal interest which he felt in the subject. It is filled with facts displaying the most elaborate and careful research, and is written with his accustomed taste and power.

Dr. Porter died at Andover on the 8th of April, 1834, at the age of sixty-two years. He had been for many years, an invalid. Early in the spring, some severe domestic afflictions were the means of still further reducing his feeble frame. The powers of nature sunk, till the energies of his body and mind entirely gave way. Owing to the absence of reason, for the last few days of his life, he was not able to give those testimonies of the preciousness of the Christian hope, which, in other circumstances, his uniform and consistent piety, his mature and settled views of Christian truth, would have led us confidently to anticipate.

The funeral services were attended on Friday, the 11th of April. A procession of the trustees, patrons, and students of the theological and literary institutions was formed at Dr. Porter's house, and moved with his remains to the chapel, where prayers were offered by the Rev. Drs. Dana and Church, and a sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Woods, from

John xvii. 4, "I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

The following is the inscription on the neat monument, in the form of an obelisk, of white marble, which has since been erected to his memory by the American Education Society.

We have purposely refrained from going into detail, or from giving any thing more than a very brief view of Dr. Porter's life, as an extended Memoir will soon appear from the pen of the Rev. L. Matthews, of Braintree, Mass, who enjoyed excellent opportunities for acquiring an intimate knowledge of the life and character of Dr. Porter, and from whom the public have every reason to expect an interesting and faithful biography.

THE UNIVERSITY OF FRANCE.

BY THE REV. ROBERT BAIRD, PARIS.

To the Editor of the American Quarterly Register.-IN conformity with the promise which I made to you in my letter written in the month of January, 1836, I now furnish you an account of the University of France, or rather of the system of education which is at present established by law in this kingdom.

In order, however, to execute this task most satisfactorily, and with the greatest perspicuity, I shall also give you some notices of the past history of education in this country. This article will then, according to the plan which I have laid down for its preparation, most properly consist of three parts: The history of the University of Paris down to the period of its dissolution in 1792: The history of the system or plans of education adopted during the first revolution, the directory, and the consulate: And a description of the system which was established under the empire of Napoleon, together with the modifications which it has undergone during the restoration, and especially since the revolution of 1830.

It will be at once perceived that the subject is one of great extent, and quite too large to be fully discussed in one article. I shall endeavor, however, to give at least an outline of it, and to enable the reader to have, I trust, correct conceptions of what ought, to every well informed man, to be an interesting subject. We cannot be too well acquainted with the various efforts which have been made in different nations, to promote the education of its youth. And it may be said, probably, with the strictest conformity to truth, that in no country has the history of education, and of literature in general, embraced more interesting facts and experiments than in France.

I. Pursuing the plan which I have already mentioned, I commence with THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS, DOWN TO ITS DISSOLUTION IN 1792.

The early history of the University of Paris is involved in much obscurity. Its foundation goes back to very remote antiquity; but the precise epoch of its establishment as a school cannot be well ascertained. From the character of the early French monarchs we should not be led to infer that they took much interest in the subject of education. The most which can be ascertained of a favorable character is that some of them had seminaries in their palaces in which their own children and those of the nobility seem to have been assembled for instruction,

There is reason to believe that the University of Paris received the seminal element of its existence from Charlemagne, who established an institution for the education of youth in the arts of theology. There is some evidence also that medicine was included. This was done about A. D. 800. Towards the close of that century, Remi, a monk of Auxerre, was very instrumental in keeping up the reputation which the school had acquired under Charlemagne. Through his efforts, and those of his pupils who succeeded him in the office of instruction, the institution gradually increased, until, in the twelfth century, it acquired great celebrity, obtained an incorporated form as a society, adopted a system of government, received laws for its regulation, and obtained privileges so great, especially by an ordonnance of Philip Augustus, that it seems to have been made independent, in its government and regulation, of the city and almost of the kingdom. This was occasioned by the extreme desire of that monarch and his successors to induce the teachers to remain, for they considered the institution to be the great ornament not only of the city but of the kingdom.