ance of the office of Judge, when in the receipt of a much larger income at the bar, was a subject of very anxious deliberation to him, and his friends represent him as never having appeared to them otherwise than habitually cheerful and happy, except at this juncture. It was a step much urged by Judges Sedgwick and Sewall, and by the leading jurists of Boston and of other parts of the State. Subsequently he had almost made up his mind, at one time, to resign the office, and there is a very interesting letter of Judge Parsons, dissuading him on the ground of the worth of his services to the science and the community, and the obligation upon men like him to postpone private considerations to the publick benefit. The writer knew the mind which he was addressing.

In the Massachusetts Convention of 1820, Judge Parker frequently took a part in debates in Committee of the Whole. His speeches, on the constitution of the University, of the Senate, and the Executive Council, on the third article, providing for the maintenance of religious worship, and on other important subjects, are referred to in the Index to the Journal of that Convention. The beautiful tribute of the Delegates to John Adams, (Journal, p. 9) who was first chosen their President, but declined that trust, was from his pen.

His critical taste was put in exercise for the preparation of the volume of posthumous sermons, by his friend Mr. Buckminster, which has enjoyed such high estimation, at home and abroad. Judge Parker and the late Hon. Samuel Dexter, with the assistance of Mr. George (now Professor) Ticknor, made in the first place a large selection from the manuscripts, from which were afterwards chosen by the Rev. Messrs. Channing and Thacher those which were given to the press.

Judge Parker, after waking early, as was his habit, on the morning of July 25th, conversed some minutes, apparently in his usual health. Being observed, after a little time, to articulate less distinctly, he said that he felt a head-ache, but should be better after rising. On attempting to rise, he found his limbs partially paralysed, but was still able to maintain some conversation. On the arrival of Dr. Warren, in twenty minutes after he was seized, he manifested his satisfaction, but did not afterwards speak. Copious bleeding in one arm, and other strong remedies were resorted to, without the slightest good effect. Dr. Warren remained with him three hours, and again attended in consultation with Dr. Bigelow, but it was plain to the medical gentlemen that the case had been a hopeless one from the first.

While resident at Castine, Judge Parker was married to Rebecca Hall, sister of the present Judge of Probate for Suffolk. He was bereaved of three children; two sons in early childhood; and, six years ago, a daughter, Margaret Jarvis, whose loss was a keen affliction. Five survive; Ed

ward William; Ann Brooks, married to Henry Wainwright; Charles Albert, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Suffolk; John Brooks; and Emily.

In the 2d volume of Massachusetts Reports is a list of Judges of the Supreme Court since William and Mary's charter. It appears that four, viz. Samuel Sewall from 1695 to 1726; Benjamin Lynde, 1712— 45; Paul Dudley, 1718-50; and Benjamin Lynde, 1745—1771, have been Judges a longer time; but no Chief Justice has had so long a term of service.

Francis Krim Pitt

BY F. W. P. GREENWOOD, D. D.

PRINTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FAMILY OF THE DECEASED.

BOSTON:

PRINTED BY S. N. DICKINSON,

52 Washington Street.

.........

SERMON.

GENESIS XV. 15.

"AND THOU SHALT GO TO THY FATHERS IN PEACE; THOU SHALT BE BURIED IN A GOOD OLD AGE."

Most men would fain be made partakers of this divine promise to Abram, though the fulfilment of the desire, so general and so natural, is granted to but few. The love of life, wisely and mercifully implanted, is so tenacious, and life itself, under any but the most uncommon circumstances, offers so great a balance of happiness and ease, that long life is generally regarded as a blessing; and at almost any common period of our earthly existence, we would still have it protracted a while longer, and yet a while longer, indefinitely.

Besides this, there is the vision of old age, which often presents itself before us with great attractiveness, and in the most pleasing colors, especially after we have passed the season of childhood, which either sees it not, or not with favor. It is the vision of a quiet and shady resting place, dressed for us by younger hands, and appointed unto us by a kind Providence, after we have borne the burden and heat of the day. It is the vision of a