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a long time to the use of deeply-convex glasses, when they have read or written, have ceased to derive benefit from these glasses, and they have become able, without any assistance, to see both near and distant objects almost as well as when they were young. Although it be not easy to ascertain the cause of this amended vision, it seems not improbable that it is occasioned by an absorption of part of the vitreous humour; in consequence of which the sides of the eye collapse, and its axis from the cornea to the retina is lengthened; by which alteration the length of this axis is brought into the same proportion to the flattened state of the cornea, or crystalline, or both, which it had to these parts before the alteration took place. Sir Charles Blagden states his concurrence in opinion with Mr. Ware, that near-sightedness comes on at an early age, and that it is almost confined to the higher ranks. He conceives it to be owing to the habit acquired by such young people of confining their attention to near objects.

An illustrated edition of Strut's Dictionary of Engravings, which has been offered for sale by Longman & Co. consists of 37 vols. in imp. folio, Russia gilt leaves and joints; and contains 8,000 prints, produced by the artists mentioned in the work, in all the various branches of engraving, from the first invention of the art to the present time, many of them unique, and all of them scarce or valuable. To assemble specimens of every known print of the most eminent engravers, employed an industrious collector nearly 50 years, and the cost of a work containing 8,000 prints, independent of the labour, must have been enormous. Mess. L. & Co. offer it at the price of 2,000l. which although a large sum for a single work, yet, as it must ever remain without a rival, it is a prize worthy of being possessed by those who can indulge in luxuries of this kind.

Mr. Wordsworth has completed a new Poem, which is now in the press.

Miss A. M. Porter is engaged in printing a new novel, under the title of "The Maid of Norway."

The portraits of many distinguished characters of the reign of George III. from the pictures of Sir Joshua Reynolds, are engraving, and are to be published under the title of Iconographia Reynoldsiana.

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OBITUARY NOTICE.

Died, at Boston, May 12, 1814, the Hon. Robert Treat Paine, LL. D. He was born in Boston, March 11, 1731, the son of a respectable clergyHis preparatory classical education was under the justly famous Mr. Lovell. He entered Harvard University in 1745, and received the customary academical honours in regular course. In 1806 the well-merited honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred.

For several years his attentions appear to have been miscellaneous. A part of the time was given to the study of theology, a part was occupied in business which led him to visit Europe. He afterwards concluded to devote himself to that profession in which he gained such respectability and distinction. He became a student in the office of the very eminent Mr. Benjamin Pratt, afterwards chief justice of New-York; and, about

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1759, settled as a lawyer at Taunton, in the county of Bristol. Here he became acquainted with his surviving consort. Their connexion was most affectionate and happy. Sanctioned by heaven, and mellowed by time, it cheered and soothed him to life's latest hour.

His preparation for the bar was worthy of his celebrated instructor. He was soon known as a sound lawyer; most faithful and assiduous in the business entrusted to him; and he rapidly acquired notice and confidence. his townsmen testified their sense of his worth, by an election to the provincial general court, about 1769. Those who are familiar with our history will recollect that at a season of much difficulty and solicitude, well adapted to call forth the energy of the "master minds" of the country, Mr. Paine was among the zealous and active friends of the popular interest, in the questions which were agitated between the assembly and the royal governors, by whom he was marked as one of the "busy spirits" that must be put down. The part which he took from conviction he resolutely maintained; and was returned as a member of the provincial congress, from which he was delegated to the first continental congress, 5th Sept. 1774. In this body he was efficient and prompt in action, resolute and wise in council; and retained his seat till, on the adoption of the Massachusetts constitution, he was appointed the first attorney general in his native state. This office he discharged, in a season peculiarly trying, with great ability and fidelity; and in 1790 he was commissioned as one of the justices of the supreme judicial court. Inflexibly just as a public prosecutor, he received the approbation and secured the gratitude of the wise and good. His was also another tribute, often not less unequivocal, the dislike and censure of the turbulent and unprincipled. Those by whom the laws were pronounced "grievances" were not to be expected to feel much complacency towards the upright and faithful functionaries of justice. All who were not ripe for rebellion were denounced as enemies. For fourteen years he continued on the bench, highly esteemed by his associates, and of most important service to the public. His hearing having become greatly impaired by a severe cold, taken on one of the circuits, he resigned in 1804, when he was immediately elected into the executive council of the commonwealth. He declined a reëlection; and resolutely withdrew from public life.

Of all good designs, for the advancement of sound knowledge and useful improvement, he was a ready and efficient promoter. He was among the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and was one of the counsellors, from its establishment, in 1780, until his decease.

Though he devoted so much time to the public, he was yet much with his family; and as a companion and a father he was affectionate, provident, exemplary, and endeared. His attachments, public and private, were very warm and sincere. Of most active mind, and social dispositions, he cheered the circle of kindred, friendship, and neighbourhood. He read much and thought much; his knowledge was extensive and well digested; his memory retentive and ready; his wisdom was all practical and operative. Of regular and temperate habits, and cheerful temper, he was spared to a good old age; he enjoyed his faculties unimpared to the last; retained his interest in his friends and country; its religious, civil, and literary institutions; rejoiced in its good, lamented its delusions, was impressed with its dangers, prayed for its peace.

He was the friend of Christianity and its ministers. Religion was with him a sentiment, as well as a system. It was operative in his life and at his death. He bore successive bereavements as became a man and a christian; he died like a hero and a saint. Leaving his affectionate blessing to survivors, his exit was that of the righteous; firm in faith, cheerful in hope.

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