New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-07-31
NEW PUBLICATIONS.



accession of jefferson TO the Presidency ls01 until
the close OF the war with England QSl3h
was due 10 his personal character rather than 10
official station or political ambition. Among the
remarkable body Of men, comprising Fisher Ames,
Theophilus Parsons. John Lowell. II. c. Otis, limo
thy Pickering. Caleb Strong. and Josiah Quincy,
who were the prominent representatives OF
the New-England Fcderalists at that time,
Mr. Cabot was regarded with a profound
reverence, aud aAectionatc PRIDE and an
nrdent sympathy. which could have been called
ferth only by singular ability and private worth,
and which WAS equally honorable to him by whom il
was received and 70 them by whom it was bestowed.
In the present volume Mr.. Lodge who is great
grandson Of the Massachusetts statesman furnishes
a more complete memorial of his distinguished rela-
tive than had previously been given 90 the public,
vvidly recalling the name Of n man which though
never forgotten b. those converSant with the his
tory of American politics, had somewhat faded from
tie knowledge of the present generation. The con-
nection cf Mr.. Cabot with the Hartford Convcn-
ton affords the author an opportunity for an
elaborate discussion Of the principles udmo'ives OF
the Federal party which h vindcates from The at
tael,s Of Mr. John Quincy Adams describing its true
position in the politics Of the day, with ample Illus
trations and proof, from the letters of Mr. Cabot
and of his eminent correspondents in various walks
of public life. The biographical notices in the work
arc few i'm number. and meagre in character. IL Is
70 be regretted that the materials were so scanty
for the portrayal Of individuality rich in the elo-
ments Of moral beauty, and presenting q rare type
Of qualities whose fragrance could not be concealed
in the retirement which they csurted. brief PEI
sona sketch following the indications Of the vol
ume, may he Of interest to many of orr readers.
George Cabot was bonn ia Salem. Dec. 10. 1851.
HIS father Joseph Cabot, was the youngest son OF
1.t-i III Ms
native town. and marrying a descendant Of the
learned and eloquent Fsancis Hgginson tho first
minister Of the Massachusetts, Bay Colony. The
subject Of this sketch was well descended on both
sides. belonging % q race which has produced not a
few men Of note IN Church and State, as well as in
private life. Ills childhood passed amidst the
bracinc Influences Of n New England Puritan house
hold and after attending the best schools Of the
day he entered Harvard College IN Dbl, fifteenth year
The death of his father at the end of his Sophomore
year induced him to leave College. and in accord
ance with the Essex instincts and customs he went to
seek his fortune at sea. Not yet seventeen years
old ne shipped as cabin-boy in a vessel COM
mended 10y his brothcr-in-law. Mr.. Joseph Lee, who
il is said gave his young knsman the full benefit of
severe ship discipline. The change in his life must
have been a shock TO q college lad Of studious hab-
its bat hc rouShed it out bravcy and before he had
reached the age Of twcnty-one in command of
ship. His nautical experience was no disadvantage
10 his future life His early contact with the world
developed his manly qualities and knowledge Of
men while the responsibilities Of his profession de-
manded reflection, f0rethoueht. and sef-command.
Though engaged in active pursuits he never
lost lns love OF books. The opportunities af
forded by travel turned b. attention to foreign
languages He became familiar with Spanish,
and acquired good knowledge of French accom-
plishmeuts less common then than now. His voyages
to foreign countries served 10 increase his acquMn-
ance with nhe politics and interests OF other ma
lions. and the KNOWLEDGE thus gained proved Of
great value in after life. He also devoted much
time 10 the natural sciences; he fond of meta
physics but his favoritc subjects were always poll
ties and political economy These studies were
constant scarce of interest from the day he went to
sea to the day Of his death. He added theory 10
practice lIemadc commerce. not ONLY livelihood
but science. The knowledge Of commercial laws
and usagcs thus acquired gave him the rank OF an
authority with merchants. Among the men of Bos-
ton and Salem, Of Marbehcad and Newbury
port whose minds had been ripened into a pc
culiar flavor. hc was one of the many schol-
ars in the school which always left stamp Of
the quarterback and dash of salt water. For this
training he never regretted the sacrifice OF two
years Of college life. he found lis best resources
in books and Independent thinking. and as long as
Ire had opportunities for them he was content. His
education was Ike that of his most intelligent COM
panions Free from the sentimentaliSm Of later
fines il tended 10 form class Of clear-headcd,
strong-willei. vigorous men, OF an cminenuy
practical character, hut who Sought in past expert
encc a guide for future action These rlen were
men Of facts and affairs While striking out for
themselves q new path in new country, they never
substituted theory for practice. IT they were de
ficjcnt in Imagination, they at least understood
what they meant. maintaining their own cause with
common sense and tenactv which stamp them as
men of a remarkable Iuould,
About the year 1870 Mr. Cabot quilted the profess
sion of a sca-captain for that of merchant and he
came engaged in many business adventures with
Joscnb lee the brothcr-in-law with whom he had
first sippel before the mast, and with whom IN 7SJ
he formed partnership. Mr.. Lee and Mr. Cabot
were both occupied i'm the same trade which they had
pursued when i'm command Of ships. They were cs-
tablished in Beverly. which at that time bid far,
as il was supposed by the inhabitants, to
become one Of the great Ncw-England sea-
ports They were prospered in their bust
ness and soon became large ship-owncTs and
merchants. In 177I, Mr.. Cabot was married
10 bis first cousin, Elizabeth liigginson who bore
the same name n his own mother The union wasa
long and happv one. Mrs. Cabot was a lady OF Un-
usual mental powers. and with great force OF char
acter though she did not lack the more feminine
ouatles Of her sen On the occasion of her death 81
1896 Mr. JohuLowell Of Roxbury wrote tie follow
ing letter 10 his lmsman, Mr.. stephen HigginsoE,
which ~ remarked by the b;ocfaphe affords good
portrait Of the best type of New-Eugllnd women ia
the last century -
ave have lost my dear cousin one o. the last of race
of whom We may justly Doe proud; and % is no aieyit
ton to our deep ana ~ %, b,i - sincere re- '' cue w