delphia, in September, 1831, Mr. Biddle took an active part in their deliberations; and, though not prominent as a debater, for which his previous training had not qualified him, he was recognized as one of the best-informed members of that enlightened body. Entertaining decided opinions upon the great political questions of the day, he enforced them temperately, but without reserve, through the public journals, and in an extensive correspondence; but chiefly in conversational discussion, in which he was particularly happy. Though never in public office, it may be affirmed, that he probably contributed as much as any individual to the establishment of the policy which has been finally adopted by the national government, in regard to the subjects of currency and our commercial intercourse with foreign countries.

In the year 1821, Mr. Biddle was elected a member of the Philosophical Society; which, at an early day, had availed itself of the services of his father, and of his uncle, Owen Biddle, the latter of whom was appointed, in 1769, in conjunction with Joel Bailey, to observe, near Cape Henlopen, the transit of Venus over the sun's disk. He was also connected with some of the principal literary and benevolent associations of Philadelphia.

In the year 1834, Mr. Biddle was elected President of the Philadelphia Saving Fund Society, an institution which he had been instrumental in establishing, and over which he continued to preside until the time of his death.

In the spring of 1838, after an interval of more than thirty years, he revisited Europe, accompanied by his valued friend, the late William McIlvaine; and renewed his acquaintance with scenes and objects of which he still retained a vivid impression. Of this journey, which lasted about six months, he preserved a circumstantial record, which will long be cherished by those for whose sake it was especially intended.

Mr. Biddle's fine constitution continued unimpaired (with the exception of a lameness in one of his limbs, the result of an accident after his return from Europe), until May, 1854, when he was attacked by that disease which ultimately proved fatal. He rallied, however, from the first blow; and persevered in discharging his official duties until the summer of the year 1855, when he retired to a rural retreat, in a neighboring county, which he had

been in the habit of visiting for several years. Finding his end approaching, he returned to his city residence; where, on the 21st of August, in less than twenty-four hours after his arrival, he breathed his last.

It has been intimated that Mr. Biddle's academical education was limited; it was consequently imperfect; and a sense of his deficiencies was a stimulus to self-exertion. In the pursuit of knowledge, the pleasure of acquisition increases with exercise; and that which is attained by dint of application, is apt to be more durable than what is derived from authority. The example afforded by the subject of this notice, is strikingly appropriate, as but few individuals in our community were more conversant with those branches of polite literature, which enhance the usefulness of the citizen or impart a dignity to the gentleman. But it was among his confidential friends that his acquisitions were best known and estimated. His fondness for study increasing with years, he gradually became weaned from public life, which, to one of his temperament, is anything but inviting. Hence, as the domestic circle was the chief scene of his enjoyments, so there, where he was conspicuous for all those virtues which adorn humanity, has his loss been most severely felt, as it has occasioned a disruption of familiar associations which can never be supplied.

WILLIAM BINGHAM.

AT what precise period William Bingham was born, we have not been able to learn; nor yet when he died; but he died while on a second visit to England, about the commencement of this century. Mr. Bingham married Anne, the daughter of Thomas Willing, one of the early celebrated families of Philadelphia. Being an active and energetic man, he was elected one of the representatives of Pennsylvania in the national Senate; but did not make any great impression as a legislator. William Bingham was one of the richest men in the colony. He was well known in Europe; and his wealth and position introduced him to the notice of many

celebrated foreigners. Among the most distinguished were the Barings. Alexander and Henry Baring married daughters of Mr. Bingham, which gave to the family a very high standing; so much so, that Mr. Bingham carried an aristocratic hauteur to the farthest extent.* He was the first person that gave a masquerade ball in Philadelphia; and the strictest measures were used to keep out mechanics and their wives. But, notwithstanding the aristocratic notions of Mr. Bingham, he was found to be useful to the government during the Revolution. He was, as far back as 1771, stationed at St. Pierre, Myzene, in the West Indies, as consul.

From data we have by us, we will give some curious memoranda while he was consul. We find published, in the first number of "Brotherhead's American Notes and Queries," January 1st, 1857, a translation of some very curious receipts for money from William Bingham to some French captains; the names of the captains are sometimes signed to the receipt, and other times not. The receipts after 1776 are not signed with the name of the receiver of the money, for what reason, we cannot divine:

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"ST. PIERRE, MYZENE, May 10th, 1779.

Received, of Mr. William Bingham, five thousand seven hundred and seven francs two cents and three farthings for the support of the English prisoners and American sailors, from the beginning of the year 1777."

Another:

"Received, of Mr. William Bingham, one thousand one hundred and thirty-five francs, for the passage of several Americans, deserted from the English, whom I brought here from St. Lucie.”

The above extracts show, that William Bingham was actively engaged during the Revolution; and though we have no data to show that he advanced the government money, yet knowing, at

* Alexander Baring married Anna, the eldest daughter of William Bingham, in Philadelphia; and the inheritance he had to thank her for, at the death of her father, amounted to $900,000. She bore him nine children, of whom seven are still living. The eldest of these, called William Bingham, after his grandfather, is the present Lord Ashburton, who is now about sixty years of age. His wife is a Lady Sandwich, and their marriage has remained childless. Alexander Baring was just twenty-four years of age, in 1798, when married to Miss Bingham.

that time, that government needed more than it had, we have no doubt but he advanced liberally on account of the government.

After the peace of 1783, William Bingham prepared to go to Europe; and in 1784, he, with his wife, went there. They spent some time in France, and were presented at court to Louis XVI, where they attracted general attention. They remained in Europe about five years.

William Bingham being, to a great extent, identified with the history of Philadelphia, we will close this memoir with a brief description of the Mansion House and the property adjacent. The ground in the rear of the Mansion House, to Fourth Street, was a vacant lot, inclosed by a rail fence, to which the boys resorted to fly their kites. William Bingham built the Mansion House about the year 1790; and it was considered, at that time, the finest house in the city. He inclosed the whole area with a painted board fence, and planted a line of Lombardy poplars around it. These poplars were the first ever seen in Philadelphia. The grounds generally were laid out in beautiful style, and variegated with clumps of shade trees. The fence being very high, prevented the public from seeing this beautiful woodland scene; and, in consequence of this, William Bingham was much censured for doing what he chose with his own property. After his death, the whole was sold off in lots, and is now filled up with fine three-story brick houses. When the British were in Philadelphia, they used this ground for parade and exercise.

DR. BARNABAS BINNEY.

BARNABAS BINNEY, a Surgeon in the Revolutionary War, was a native of Boston, and born in the year 1751. His father was Barnabas Binney, a merchant of Boston; and the family name of his mother, a lady of high intellectual culture,—was Ings.

Dr. Binney graduated at Rhode Island College, in 1774, afterwards known as Brown University. The institution was then under the presidency of the celebrated James Manning, D.D., and the

pupil acquired much of the mental accomplishments of the principal. His medical education was obtained in London and in Philadelphia, and he considered himself as belonging to the latter city. In 1776, he entered the public service of the United States, as Hospital Physician and Surgeon, settled in Pennsylvania, and married a native resident of Philadelphia, in 1777, and continued in the service till the army was disbanded, in 1783; he was distinguished for skill, the uniform bearing of a gentleman, and unfaltering kindness to his patients, though of the most humble description. An extraordinary instance of his success as a surgeon, occurred in the treatment of a seaman, who, while in the round-top of the Monk, in her fight with the Hyder Ali on the Delaware River, was shot through the body, the musket-ball entering the left groin, and passing through the intestines and lungs, and emerging under the right shoulder-blade. This man, after his recovery, was so grateful that he visited Dr. Binney annually during his life. A case of Dr. Binney's hospital practice shows the refined and honorable tone of his moral nature, as well as his professional skill. It was the case of the romantic and heroic Deborah Samson, who entered the army in Massachusetts, in October, 1778, as a private soldier, and continued to serve with credit until disabled by a wound, which brought her under Dr. Binney's care. Being supposed to have died, Dr. Binney, in searching for the pulsation of the heart, discovered her sex; and, taking her to his own house, most honorably concealed the fact until her discharge was obtained from General Washington. The life of this brave woman is given in Mrs. Ellet's "Women of the Revolution."

On leaving the army, the health of Dr. Binney was so impaired, that he lived but a few years, dying June 21st, 1787, aged thirtysix. He was a superior man; his attainments much above the standard of his time; and he was as much distinguished for modesty as for the most elevated characteristics of the scholar and the physician. He was the father of Horace Binney, of the Philadelphia bar, who was his oldest son, and was born in Philadelphia, on the 4th of January, 1780.