[BY REV. AMASA LORING AND MRS. MARTHA A. MARSTON.]

NATHANIEL DRINKWATER [No. 20, p. 387, Old Times], the second son and fifth child of Joseph and Mary (Leach) Drinkwater, was born at North Yarmouth, Maine, April 12th, 1771. His father, Joseph, was born and brought up on Cousins' Island, North Yarmouth, and upon attaining manhood settled upon a farm near Parker's Point, dividing his time between coasting and farming. There his children were born, and there Nathaniel spent his boyhood and youth. But little is known of his early years, though he must have been a scholar of more than ordinary promise, as his parents, though of limited pecuniary means, resolved to give him a liberal education and fit him for professional life. This was not common at that period, and at that time none from this town had attempted it, except Hon. David Mitchell, an Rev. Samuel Eaton of the Harpswell part, though Samuel P. Russell and other young men soon followed. Where he fitted for college is not known, but at the early age of fifteen he entered RhodeIsland College, Providence, R. I., now Brown University, and graduated with honor in September, 1790. His diploma, and an exact translation of it by himself. have survived the wreck of time and are carefully preserved as valued keepsakes. Letters received by him while in college, and after he left it, abundantly show that he maintained a high standing. won many friends, and had awakened in them a lasting interest in his welfare.

His mother was preeminently a Christian woman, and hal most earnestly desired and cherished the hope that he would become a Christian and be qualified to enter the ministry, but in this she was disappointed.

The following letter, written the year before he graduated, exhibits his views upon that subject and portrays also his filial feelings.

Providence. Sept. 12, 1789.

Dear Mam.-The gratitude I owe to a benefactor, and anxiety to please a tender mother, induce me to lay aside every object of attention and apply myself to the writing of this incorrect letter. My youth and inexperience, joined to your candor, will excuse me if what I am now writing be unworthy of your perusal. Although the place of my education offers many almost irresistable allurements to vice, yet it affords advantages which more than compensate for them all. I have formed such a habit of reading that it yields me more pleasure than all the frivolous pursuits of the idle; and I believe if my constitution would admit of it, I could read a whole month without the least cessation. Study is indeed an inexhaustible source of pleasure to the human mind, and to walk in the enchanting paths of science is my intention.

I suppose you are anxious to know which of the learned profes sions I intend to follow. I am truly sorry to cross your inclination, but must tell you that I am determined to study law. if possible. The vulgar entertain a notion that Lawyers are a very bad set of men; but remember that it is the vulgar only who have this opinion of them, and they we all know are incapable of judging. Sure I am that the law is an innocent, honorable and lucrative profession. Arguments to prove my

here.

assertion cannot be expected in this letter. I suppose you are very poor at home, for I feel the effects of it My clothes are all old and worn out, and cash is an article I am quite unacquainted with. I wish you would turn Mr. Poverty out door, and take in some other Gentleman who sustains a better character; for I am sure our house is not so large that you need to take in every body that comes along.

I am your dutiful son, Nathl. Drinkwater.

After completing his course at college, he returned to his paternal home and commenced the study of law, though we know not with whom he pursued it. At that time, though four judges of the Court of Common Pleas had been taken from North Yarmouth, and three of them were still living, none of them were learned in the law, and no lawyer had then opened an office in this town. In 1799 (not 1790, as Rev. David Shepley states on page 55 of the First Church Catalogue), Bohan P. Field came here and attempted it, but the next year removed to Belfast. Others came, and from that period, one or more were found here.

The year 1791 is noted in the history of this town for a great religious awakening. Mr. Drinkwater was at home during that season, but did not share in the work. From the reply to a letter which he had written to Rev. John Turner, of Alfred, for two

years a college companion, we get a glimpse of his position and feelings during that revival. It was written in March, 1792, and shows that an intimate friendship existed between them, formed at college. Mr. D. had been very sick, to which his friend alludes in terms of sorrow; but with much tenderness expressed regret that his friend had not become a candidate for the ministry. Mr. D. had also given a very full and just account of the revival to Mr. Turner, and spoke of Rev. Tristram Gilman as "Learned, solid and judicious; full of love, charity, benevolence and piety.”

About this time Mr. Drinkwater fell in love with a young lady, always a youthful associate and playmate. The strength of his attachment cannot be questioned; but, though he was not wanting in personal attractions,-was of high standing and liberal education, his offer of marriage was refused, and, disappointed in his first love, he never married.

The next item of interest in his life was his appointment to a military office in the regular army of our country. June 4, 1791. he was appointed by Gen. George Washington, then President, a lieutenant in the corps of artillerists and engineers, the notice being signed by Gen. Henry Knox, Secretary of War. This he declined to accept, but it shows the esteem in which he was held by those in authority.

From this time few traces of him appear. His correspondence with his college associates had ceased, and other sketches are rare. He evidently abandoned the study of law, and took to teaching school, common and private, but generally the latter, and thus we find him from 1802 to 1811.

Mr. Drinkwater was present at the funeral of Rev. Tristram Gilman, who died April 1, 1809, and made the following record in his journal:

April 4th, 1809, I attended the funeral of Rev. Tristram Gilman, who died the 1st instant. The solemnities were introduced by singing Hy. 4th, book 2, Watts, ["Why do we mourn departing friends?"]; then a prayer by Rev. Pres. Appleton ; then Hy. 66th, book 11. [There is a land of pure delight"], was sung. Rev. Samuel Eaton (of Harpswell), preached a sermon from Rev. 14th, 13; Rev. Mr. Lancaster (of Scarboro), offered prayer, and the choir sung a funeral anthem. The congregation was numerous; twelve or thirteen ministers were present and walked in procession next to the mourners; after them, Allen Greely; next, the parish; and, after them, people from other parishes and towns. At the tomb (the Russell tomb) Rev. Elijah Kellogg addressed the mourners, the church, the ministers and all the people present. Thus we bid a final adieu to our beloved and worthy minister, T. Gilman."

Mr. Drinkwater died Dec. 31, 1817, aged nearly 47 years, and for a some time previous had been sinking into a melancholy and drowsy mood from which he never rallied.