leaders have arisen in every department of social life, in the learned professions, among the devotees to fine arts, in the regions of invention, in the explorations of natural science, in mechanical pursuits, in those of commerce, and even in the department of agriculture. Occasionally some noted one has lifted his standard of attainment higher than that of any of his predecessors, and has gone forward beyond their utmost reach. Such men are among the best gifts to the world, of a beneficent God. It is through their agency society makes progress. They lead the onward way. Their lives lend attractive force to that which is truly valuable. They present models for imitation, and their achievements stimulate to a generous rivalry. Their standard, "full high advanced," is ever visible, and it calls, with a noiseless but persuasive voice, to those who are behind to move onward. No one can overestimate the value of such a life to young men in the legal profession, if it be kept ever in view. If they have not mistaken their calling, it must win their admiration, and stir the noblest impulses of their hearts. It is a perpetual reproof of contentment with any attainments less than the highest possible, a rebuke of character and conduct unbecoming the best aims, and it gives courage for the grandest efforts. Happily the lessons of such a life are beyond the reach of death. They are the rightful property of more than one generation. They ought never to fade into oblivion. To preserve them with gratitude for 1876.] [Strong. the past and with hope for the future, is a duty which the living owe to themselves and to those who shall come after them. And this duty is best performed as a skillful painter preserves in memory the subject of his portrayal. A portrait is not a life, it is true, but it recalls a life. So a delineation of character and achievement, if it be accurate, prolongs the influences the character is fitted to exert. It is therefore in obedience to your desire to perpetuate, so far as may be, the instruction and example of a life more than commonly eminent and useful, that I am to speak to you of Horace Binney. He was born in Philadelphia on the 4th day of January, A. D., 1780, in a house belonging to Thomas Williams, in what was then known as the Northern Liberties, and in the neighborhood of Front and Coates streets. He was of Scotch and English descent. The earliest paternal ancestor of whom he had knowledge was John Binney, who, in 1680, resided with his wife Mercy, in the town of Hull, Boston Bay, in England, and from whom he was the fifth by descent in right line. The family came to this country about that time and settled in Hull, Massachusetts. The grandfather of Horace was Barnabas Binney, a shipmaster and merchant of Boston, and his father (born in 1751,) named also Barnabas Binney, was a surgeon in the revolutionary army, attached to the Massachusetts line, whence he was transferred to the Pennsylvania line. After his transfer he settled permanently in Strong.] Jan. 5, Philadelphia, and, in 1777, he married Mary, the eldest daughter of Henry Woodrow, a man of Scotch ancestry, a whig in politics, of great purity of character and uprightness of life. Dr. Barnabas Binney was a man of liberal education, and a graduate in 1774 of Brown University, where he attained the highest distinction in his class. Thence he came to this city, and attended medical lectures at the University, in due time receiving from it a degree. He was an accomplished "belles-lettres" scholar, and acutely sensitive to the beauties of English literature. He wrote with ease and elegance, and he cherished both the taste and the talent for poetical composition. Withal his intellectual powers were fine, and he had a strength of principle, a decision and energy of action, and a sensibility and tenderness of feeling that commanded the respect of all who knew him, and greatly endeared him to the circle of his domestic friends. Dr. Binney's wife, the mother of Horace, was also a superior person. In many points her intellectual traits and those of her husband were much alike. She had besides a keen perception and taste for wit and humor, and a remarkable faculty for catching and imitating personal peculiarities of manner, voice, and almost of look. In the character of her mind there was a large element of the dramatic. Her manner was impressive, and she had that rare union of dignity and ease which woman alone possesses, without the appearance of effort, and which she only can teach. 1876.] [Strong. At the age of six years, Horace was sent to his first school, which, for a short time, was the Friends' Alms House School, in Walnut street between Third and Fourth. Very soon afterwards, he entered the Grammar school of the University of Pennsylvania, where he remained until his father's death, which occurred in 1787. Thus early, when only seven years of age, he was left an orphan, in charge of a widowed mother In 1788 he was placed in a school at Bordentown, New Jersey, where he continued three years, and acquired the reputation of being the best scholar in the school; beginning thus early to give promise of what he afterwards became. His attainments in knowledge of the Greek language especially, must have been remarkable for a youth of only ten or eleven years. And not only was his scholarship of an high order, but his conduct was such as to commend him to the confidence of his teachers, for he was promoted to be "guider" of boys older than himself. Leaving Bordentown in 1791, he returned to his mother's residence, in Philadelphia, then on Market between Fifth and Sixth streets, immediately opposite the residence of General Washington, and adjoining that of Alexander Hamilton. There he frequently saw the first President of the United States, as also Mrs. Washington, who was his mother's friend, of both of whom he had perfect recollection throughout his life. There he was also a witness of the ceremonies of the day; imposing ceremonies, which were remnants of Strong.] [Jan. 5, colonial usages derived from the mother country, but which long since went into desuetude. What effect such associations and opportunities had upon his youthful mind, never wanting in a pure and generous ambition, may readily be conjectured. In 1791 his mother entered in a second marriage with Dr. Marshall Spring, of Watertown, Massachusetts, ( now a suburb of Boston,) and in 1792 he went to reside with his stepfather, for whom he ever after felt warm affection and profound respect. Soon thereafter he was sent to a boarding-school near Medford, six miles from Boston. Even then, though only twelve years old, he was prepared for admission. to college, but he was considered too young to enter, and he was sent to school rather to grow older, than to increase his intellectual preparation for college life. He did not remain long at Medford, because of a conviction he had that his master was incompetent to instruct him in the Greek language. An interesting incident is related of his short school life there, illustrative of his confidence in the accuracy of his knowledge, and of his resolute adherence to that which he believed correct, even to the extent of what may be considered rudeness. On the day after his arrival at school, he was called up to recite to his new master a Greek lesson in the New Testament. He began with confidence, but he had not proceeded far when he was stopped, and told he was wrong, and what the master deemed the proper translation was given. Instead of |