which characterized his career.1 An anecdote is related showing his fearlessness. Several of his class, in the course of a college frolic, to exclude him, shut themselves in a chamber, and barred the door so effectually that he could not force it. Warren, bent on joining them, saw that their chamber-window was open, and that a spout was near it which reached from the roof to the ground; and he went to the top of the house, walked to the spout, slid by it down to the window, and threw himself into the room. At this instant, the spout fell; when he quietly remarked, that it had served his purpose. He then entered into the sport of his classmates. "A spectator of this feat and narrow escape," Knapp says, "related this fact to me in the college-yard, nearly half a century afterwards; and the impression it made on his mind was so strong that he seemed to feel the same emotion as though it happened but an hour before." 2 During Warren's collegiate course, Washington and other Virginians visited Cambridge, and were received with marked attention; but no memorials connect Warren thus early with public men or affairs. It is said that he distinguished himself highly as a student, and had a part assigned to him on the day he was graduated. It is related, that, soon after he left college, he gained a premium which was offered by gentlemen of the province for the best poem on the death of George the Second and the accession of George the Third. A volume was published, in Boston, in 1761, under the title of Pietas et Gratulatio, containing thirty-one poems, on these themes, 1 Everett's Warren, 96. 2 Knapp's Sketches, 108. 3 Rees' Cyclopædia. 4 lb. which were written by the alumni of Harvard; but he is not named among their authors. In April succeeding his graduation, at nineteen, he was appointed master of the grammar school in Roxbury, which was one of the best endowed, oldest, and most successful schools in Massachusetts. His immediate predecessor was Mr. Fairfield; and the feoffees' or trustees' records say: "1760. April yo 11. Then the Feoffees agreed with Mr. Joseph Warren to take the school for one quarter of a year at yo rate of fortey three pounds nine shillings & fourpence a year, he to board himself and his time to commence until about the second of May (as he was to keep a week or ten days for Mr. Fairfield)." Warren taught this school about a year, as appears from the following letter, addressed "To the gentlemen intrusted with the care of the school in Roxbury: "— BOSTON, December, 1761. GENTLEMEN, You may remember that you agreed with me to teach the school in Roxbury for forty-four pounds sixteen shillings a year; of which I have received from Deacon Gridley twenty-five pounds twelve shillings, of the Rev. Mr. Adams about five pounds, of the school-boys, to pay for the carting of wood, two pounds and eight pence, of which by your direction I expended eleven shillings and two pence in buying a lock, hooks, staples, and nails for the repairing of the school-house. So that there remains due to me about thirteen pounds, by payment of which to my mother or order, you will greatly oblige, Gentlemen, your H. Servant, JOSEPH WARREN. P. S.-I am not certain of the particular sums received of the Rev. Mr. Adams; but his receipts will determine.1 1 I copy from the original, in the files in possession of the Secretary of the Trustees, Mr. C. K. Dillaway, the author of the interesting history of this school, who obligingly submitted the papers to me. On the back of the original of this letter is the autograph of Mary Warren, acknowledging the receipt of thirteen pounds six shillings and eight pence, in full for her son's keeping this grammar school. About the time Warren left this school, he was initiated (Sept. 10, 1761) a member of the St. Andrew's Lodge of Masons, which had been formed but a few years. He was regular at its meetings, and made earnest effort to establish the character and widen the influence of this association. "It was his Alma Mater," it has been said; "and, as such, he was ever zealous to defend its honor and promote its welfare." He continued through life a member of this institution, and rose, as will be seen, to its highest honors; and the craft have affectionately and gratefully cherished his memory.1 Warren chose the profession of medicine for his calling. Dr. James Lloyd, who had recently returned from London with a high reputation for learning and skill, was now an eminent physician in Boston. He kept a genteel equipage, entertained company with great liberality, commanded a more respectable circle of practice than any other physician of his day, and was considered highly accomplished in all branches of the profession.2 Warren went through the usual preparatory course of study under his direction; but I have no memorials of this portion of his life. He took his degree as master of arts in course at Harvard, in 1762. 1 Memoir of Warren, by Charles W. Moore. 2 Thacher's Medical Biography, 24. WARREN was united in marriage, on the 6th of September, 1764, with Miss Elizabeth Hooton, of Boston. The event was announced in the following way: "Last Thursday evening was married Dr. Joseph Warren, one of the physicians of this town, to Miss Elizabeth Hooton, only daughter of the late Mr. Richard Hooton, merchant, deceased, an accomplished young lady with a handsome fortune." A gentle, sensitive nature, good sense, and accomplishments of a high order, formed a character worthy to share his fortunes. A tribute on her decease says she had — "Good sense and modesty with virtue crowned; She could not bear to see a worm oppressed."1 The eulogies on Warren specialize the social qualities and domestic virtues "which endeared him to the honest among the great, and the good among the humble;" and made him, " in the private walks of life, a pattern for mankind." The love which he bore his 1 Boston Gazette, May 3, 1773. 2 Perez Morton's Oration. mother attests his filial piety; and his care for his children, his parental affection: and the devoted patriot was the faithful head of a happy home. He lived in Hanover Street, on the estate on which the American House stands, being but a short distance from Faneuil Hall and the old Town House; and attended the Congregational Church in Brattle Street, of which Samuel Adams was a member, and Dr. Cooper the pastor. Thus, at twenty-three, Warren established himself permanently as a physician. Boston was the metropolis of New England, and was noted as the largest town, and best situated for trade, in British North America. Its population, almost wholly of English extraction, was estimated at sixteen or eighteen thousand; and the number who could take part in politics, at thirty-five hundred. It presented an attractive field for professional life. It was emphatically republican in politics; and this element, in a century and a quarter of its history, had become so interwoven with the feelings, habits, and customs of its inhabitants, that, along with whatever it contained of the provincial and transient, it had the heirloom of principles that were national and enduring. It happened that the small-pox, which was then dreaded as a scourge, prevailed in the town this year to such an extent that business was mostly suspended; and many of the inhabitants retreated into the country. A great number were inoculated. One of Warren's patients was John Adams, when the two patriots formed an acquaintance which ripened into friendship; and, until near the day on which Warren fell, the Adams Family continued to enjoy the bene |