the city of New York. While in the army he had become the subject of permanent religious impressions, which rendered him afterwards, in a spiritual sense, "the beloved physician." He joined the Congregational church in Yorktown, and in 1787, was appointed to the office of deacon. He soon after removed his residence to the northwest part of the town of Somers, and in 1790, formed, in conjunction with a few individuals, a church in Carmel, opposite Somers, the members of which were gathered from four or five contiguous towns. This was called the Red MiHs society, or the church at Red Mills.

The medical practice of doctor Cornelius extended, for many years, over a large district, comprehending portions of Somers, Yorktown, Carmel, Phillipstown, and Fredericktown. Though he had not enjoyed the advantages of an early education, yet by industry and love of study, he had acquired much general, as well as professional knowledge. To all his duties he brought a large measure of energy and firmness. His exertions in building a meeting-house, and in procuring and maintaining a preacher, were of the most prompt and liberal character. His first wife was a daughter of doctor Brewer, by whom he had four or five children, all of whom died at an early age. Mrs. Cornelius soon followed them to the grave. By his second marriage, doctor Cornelius had one son, four daughters. The widow, and three of the daughters, are still living.

and

In the early history of young Cornelius, nothing of special interest occurs. "I was very intimate in the family," says a venerable clergyman, who then officiated at the Red Mills church, "and was conversant with the history of the education of that only son. He was a very frank, active, and pleasant boy, full of vivacity, fond of the social circle and conversation; but easily governed.

15

His turn of mind exposed on smetimes n
juvenile indiscretion; but he was really oreet ad
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brought to a sense of his faile

social disposition might expose in the fence tť
crafty and vicious company; and this crinsance zme
He was credenste that
times discouraged his father.

an education would only qualify his son x it eTRISTE mischief. But it was strongly represected a ma these traits of character would prepare the lad ár en.nent usefulness, if they could be turned into the right taannei. " As both his parents were piocs, be was early and faci instructed in his duties to Lis Lord and Redeemer. Of the prayers and labors which were expended in us betad no marked fruits appeared for a number of years. He sometimes, however, manifested a warm interest in the m telligent and devout conversation of his perces in age. His conscience, enlightened by perusal of the Bicie, and by the living example of his friends, did not aow him to remain in quiet, while alienated from his Maker. At one time, in his early boyhood, Eis feelings were deeply interested in reading Lindley Murray's Power of Re ligion," a book which records the happy experience of many dying believers in Jesus.

It was a signal favor to the church, that doctor Cornelius united in his character, those qualities which could control the high spirits of his son, and at the same time implant in his bosom the principles of the most affectionate and endearing filial attachment. No measures more intelligent and judicious could have been adopted, in providing for him an elementary and academical education.

His preparatory studies for college were committed, in part, to the care of the Rev. Herman Daggett, afterwards principal of the Foreign Mission School, at Cornwall, Ct. To the instructions of this gentleman, Mr. Cornelius was greatly indebted for his skill in penmanship, and for the

order, accuracy, and fine tact, which he ever exhibited in his pecuniary and business engagements. Mr. Daggett might be called an instructor of the "old school;" possessing much of that manual dexterity, as well as thorough enthusiasm in his pursuits, which have rendered the names of Corbet, Ezekiel Cheever, and master Moody, so famous in the records of elementary education. To a well-trained mind, and to a perfect acquaintance with all the minutiae of his duties, Mr. Daggett united gentle affections, warm sensibilities, and winning manners. Mr. Cornelius ever looked back to this period in his life, with deep interest, associating the acquisition of habits of great importance to himself, with the faithful services and affectionate heart of his revered instructor. Mr. Daggett has within a few months been summoned to join his beloved pupil, as we doubt not, in "the general assembly and church of the first born."

In September, 1810, when a little more than sixteen years of age, Mr. Cornelius entered the sophomore class in Yale college. His father had preferred Columbia college, in the city of New York, as a place for the education of his son; but he wisely listened to the suggestions of a mutual friend, who thought it injudicious to expose a young man of so ardent temperament to the dangers of a great metropolis.

Of the history of his mind at college, or of his literary course, the notices must necessarily be brief. Having passed his life in the country, amidst interesting natural scenery, and possessing habits of great bodily activity, which led him frequently into the woods and fields, he early developed a strong predilection for mineralogy and the kindred sciences. This tendency was probably strengthened by those habits of orderly arrangement, which so strikingly characterize some of the departments of natural history. He saw in these studies much which

could gratify the taste which he had early formed for beauty of proportion, and skilful arrangement. He rambled many miles in the country around New Haven, with his steel, mineral tests, and stone-hammer, and. returned with heavy loads of stone and ore. He was accustomed to mark all his specimens in mineralogy, many of which were valuable, with great care; and on a particular shelf he had written, in prominent letters, "Handle not." Some years before Mr. Cornelius united with the seminary, colonel Gibbs, of Newtown, near New York city, a very liberal benefactor to science, had established a small fund for premiums in natural history. From the avails of this fund, costly mineralogical specimens were awarded to the two members in a class who were most distinguished for their researches in mineralogy. "Mr. Cornelius," remarks a class-mate, "received the first premium during junior year, and I the second. In senior year, we again received the premiums in a reversed order. There was on neither occasion any feeling of rivalship between us; least of all, in senior year. On the last occasion, Cornelius coming directly from the mineralogical lecture to my room, remarked, 'Well, well, I hope we have both got a better part, which shall never be taken from us.' away

In reference to his intellectual character and pursuits, another class-mate makes the following observations. "I was not aware of Mr. Cornelius's extreme youth while in college; at least so important a fact in his history, if known, made no permanent impression on my mind. I am induced to believe that to this circumstance must be attributed, principally, his character as a student while in the seminary. I do not recollect that he was deficient in any branch; but while he was distinguished in those studies which relate to natural history, he appeared not to have the same attachment to other pursuits. The native ardor

of his mind, which was so early developed, previous to maturity of intellect and the stability of years, led him almost as a necessary consequence to the course which he pursued, especially while not influenced by the principles of religion. In our estimates of character, I think we do not always bring into view sufficiently the original structure of the mind. It would not, perhaps, be correct to state that the faculties of Mr. Cornelius's mind ripened late; in some respects the reverse was true, yet certain traits which early appeared, wanted the balance of opposite qualities. This circumstance incidentally turned his attention from those branches which demanded the severest mental discipline, to those which presented a more ample field for action and experiment, in which he ever delighted. And this, I conceive to be perfectly consistent with the fact, that he subsequently applied himself to other branches of study, and became conversant with literature to the extent which his other avocations would admit. Very few persons of his age are prepared, whatever may be their previous powers of mind, to make the highest attainments in the studies of college, unless piety has given stability of character, or some favorable circumstances have existed with respect to associates. It is my impression, that the studies to which he attached himself with special interest, gave a fixedness of character to his mind, and prepared him afterwards to pursue other branches with greater benefit. I am in some degree inclined to believe, that it is not so important by what branch of study the mind is, in its earliest years, disciplined, as that the energies should be directed to some one useful and interesting object of attention."

There is no necessity of dissenting from these intelligent remarks. Complete justice, however, would hardly be done to the character of Mr. Cornelius, not to add, that the imperfect acquaintance which he obtained of some of