appeared in Court afterwards, and died in the month of August following.

There can be no doubt whatever that Mr. Lewis was a very learned lawyer, fully awake to the elevation and dignity of his profession, and prompt to maintain them whenever vindication was necessary, though occasionally unbending a little too much at the side Bar. He was a clear and logical reasoner, and of very vigorous mind, rising at times, in his oral arguments, to the highest eloquence of reason, though no man cultivated less the graces of oratory. He was moreover subtle, ingenious, full of resources, and perhaps as shining an advocate in a bad or doubtful cause, as he was able in a good one. In some points he was not without resemblance to Saunders, his favorite authority, in both the strength and weakness of his parts-something less strong perhaps, and decidedly less weak. He contributed much to elevate the standard of law and of professional effort at the Bar; and if he had possessed a little more retenue, might have done as much for the standard of manners, wherein he fell something short; less however in reality, than by contrast with the high professional carriage of his eminent contemporaries.

(To be continued.)

LETTERS OF HANNAH THOMSON, 1785-1788.

[We are indebted to the courtesy of Thomas Stewardson, Esq., for the following interesting letters of the wife of Charles Thomson, Secretary of Congress, addressed to Mr. John Mifflin, of Philadelphia, while she was a resident of New York.-ED. PENNA. MAG.]

Jan ye 15th 85

There is no apology necessary to so Polite a man as my Correspondent J. M. He well knows that a lady who wishes to keep up a little consequence in the beau monde, must be very attentive in her manner and method of receiving and paying visits. Also as a man of business he knows that workmen must be attended to. And when the husband is from home the Wife must be more attentive. He also must be sensible of the difficulty of getting your mind & body composed under the above circumstances, and that it is necessary when you wish to write an agreeable & Intelligent letter, tht you should enjoy great tranquillity, yr spirits chearful & your head clear. Mrs T. has been waiting for such a composure to write to 2 or 3 of her young & gay correspondents. This morning the weather has been too warm to expect Visitors, The noise of the hammer seemed more distant, The painters had got to the outside of the house, and she concluded to step into Mr Thomson's parlor (where Pen Ink & paper stand always ready) and write a few lines to J M-scarce had she wrote the first page when a noise like the tumbling down of part of the house thundered in her ears. She jumped up & found the carpenters had attacked a piazza that is over the parlour window, stripped down an old ceiling, which occasioned dust & rubbish to fly into her best parlor. And after what has before been said upon writing he may be sure that every pleasing sentiment

vanished.

The parlor again got to rights, and I begin another sheet

of paper. I was much obliged for J. Mifflin's favour. It conveyed entertainment & Intelligence. I felt for the Doctor he must have been greatly chagrined, Especially if Miss P. and Miss R. were present, but perhaps the Consequence that Dr Moyer had given him might make it necessary to have a little mortification, to bring his mind into proper order, to make him the agreeable friend and companion.

I find N. York more agreeable than I expected. The Ladies are gay & agreeable there are a number of belles here. I was yesterday to pay a visit to a Mr Lewis' family about a mile out of town the house is upon a hill. My eyes never beheld a more pleasing prospect. They have a full view of the town of long Island, the Jerseys the East river and Variety of Beautiful Landskips on every side of them..

I am thy obliged correspondent

H. THOMSON.

May 12. 1785.

I recd with pleasure J Mifflin's obliging letter accompanied with the Snake—I shall understand it perfectly, the directions are so plain, but have not had time to exercise my wits since I received it. As soon as we get into our own house and the chairs & tables put into their places, your Ingenuity, will then be set forth, to the belles & beaus of King Street.

Our landlord is a cleansing the house tht we are going into with paper & paint from top to bottom, which prevents us from unpacking, 'til that is done. It also excuses me from accepting of Invitations out as my cloaths are not unpacked. In a few weeks I shall be able to give you some acct of the angels of this Paradise. My compliment's to your Father and the family and tell Jonathan that as I have not studied agriculture I shall expect to hear from him, In his grass growing letters to farmer Thomson. And tell him that I met with several frights at the ferries. They are dangerous and disagreeable in blustering weather.

I am with compliments your friend

H. THOMSON.

New York Sep 15th-85 I was very sorry to hear of J Mifflin's Indisposition and think the tour he is going to take will be of service. Your letter to Isaac is safely deposited In the Secretary of foreign affairs Packet . . .

Mr Read was married on tuesday evening. It is the custom here for the Ladies to receive their tea visits the next day after they are married. The Bridegroom receives visits in the morning, and the Bride in the afternoon. So they soon get thro the ceremony of Visits. With compliments H. THOMSON.

New York Dec 8th 1785

My correspondent J. M. must not think that his letters are not agreeable because not answered by every post. The mornings are now so very short that I can scarcely get thro the bustle of the family before Mr. T. appears. When Mr. Hancock arrives, he is expected next week, and accepts of the honor conferred on him. When they get a full Congress I expect my mornings will grow longer. Considering the great scarcity of men I think there are a great many matches going forward among you. The proportion here it is said of belles to beaus are 10 to 1.-There are also several matches going forwards here. Mr. Gerry is soon to be married to an accomplished young lady. Mr le roy, the Dutch Consul, to a Miss Cornelle, but tell Jonathan Miss D—k— Is still disengaged. The Queen Street lady has not yet called upon me. It is supposed that she defers her visit 'til next May. Remember us to your father & family to Jonathan yourself & all friends.

H. THOMSON

J. Mifflin has so much the advantage of me in the Epistolary way that my letters I think must appear very dull. Every little anecdote to me of the Philadelphians is pleasing, but my acct of the Yorkers can give but little pleasure to J. M. Several matches are going forward here their names you must be unacquainted with, Except Mr. Gerry who is

shortly to be married to a Miss Thompson. I mentioned it in my last I think. If any Philadelphian has a Prior Claim they must make hast or Jerry will be lost, lost to their view. This City is grown very gay Plays 3 times a week an Assembly and Concert every other Thursday. There is a Mr. Temple & his lady arrived here from England he comes in Character of a Consul but receives the Salary of a Minister. They are yet at Lodgings. They have taken a new large house in Queen Street, which I suppose Jonathan must have noticed in his walks that way. When they get to house keeping we shall see what we shall see. Rout, 3 times a week &c. Mr. & Mrs. Hancock are expected here the end of the next Week. In what Stile they will live I dont know, or if Harrison will be continued I cannot tell . . .

I want very much to know what happened at the Wednesday Club I am &c

H. THOMSON

Dec. 18th 1785

J Mifflin has greatly the advantage of me in the Epistolary way-Whatever is going forward in Philadelphia is entertaining and agreeable to me to hear of-But to J. M. it must be very insipid to be informed of the Bagatelles of New York-for instance what amusement will it give him to hear that Miss Rosavelt is married to the Attorney General, Miss Wickam the beauty about sixteen to Mr. Hindman from Maryland is talked of, Susan Levinston Mrs. Jays sister & Col. Byard is talked of, without much foundation, Nanny Vanhorn & Parson Wilson do. Miss Alsop that was, now Mrs. King is laid up with the fever. The pretty Miss Hallet is like to lose one of her eyes by a violent cold that she caught. The two sisters of a Mr. Curson tht was killed in a Duel about six or eight weeks ago, they are Inconsolable. Mr. Edgar that married the Elder Miss White has built a wall between him & his neighbour Mercer so high that Mrs. Mercer is much disturbed, and disturbs all the Circles that she goes in about it. I am invited to visit her to look at it.