of great interest, affording neither allurements to vice, nor very frequent opportunities of distinction. Having lost his father at six years of age, the care of his education and that of a younger brother devolved solely upon his mother, whose vigilance and activity appear to have amply compensated his early deprivation, or to have left at least no reason of interest to deplore it. In the lives of great men, VOL. IV.-K k RUSH. BENJAMIN RUSH was born in the township of Byberry, about twelve miles to the north east of Philadelphia, on the twenty-fourth of December, 1745. His great-grandfather, was a native of England, and had served with some credit in the army of Cromwell as captain of horse, but being displeased with the restoration of the monarchy, emigrated to Pennsylvania, about the time of its first settlement by William Penn. No other account of his parentage has been preserved that merits a particular notice. The occupations of infant colonies are not usually of great interest, affording neither allurements to vice, nor very frequent opportunities of distinction. Having lost his father at six years of age, the care of his education and that of a younger brother devolved solely upon his mother, whose vigilance and activity appear to have amply compensated his early deprivation, or to have left at least no reason of interest to deplore it. In the lives of great men, VOL. IV.-K k |