ing to humanity
rather than pride, might find in the immediate ancestry of John Jay one
of those felicitous combinations which so often mark the descent of
eminent men among our Revolutionary statesmen. With the courteous and
intelligent proclivities of Gallic blood the conservative, domestic, and
honest nature of the Hollander united to form a well-balanced mind and
efficient character. With the best associations of the time and place
were blended the firmness of principle derived from ancestors who had
suffered for conscience' sake; so that in the antecedents and very blood
of the boy were elements of the Christian, patriot, and gentleman; which
phases of his nature we find dominant and pervasive throughout his life;
for it is a remarkable fact in the career of John Jay that by no triumph
of extraordinary genius, by no favor of brilliant circumstances did he
win and leave an honored name, but through the simple uprightness and
the sound wisdom of a consistent and loyal character--so emphatic and
yet unostentatious as to overcome, in the end, the most rancorous
political injustice. His early training was no less favorable to this
result than his birth. His father removed to Westchester county, and, on
a pleasant rural domain still occupied by the family, the future
jurist's childhood was passed. At that time there was a French church at
New Rochelle, the pastor of which was an excellent scholar; and this
gentleman fitted young Jay for college. He gave early proofs of a
studious turn of mind and a reticent temperament; acquiring knowledge
with pleasure and facility; and, for the most part, exhibiting a
thoughtful demeanor. In some of his father's letters, alluding to his
childhood, he is described as a boy of 'good capacity,' of 'grave
disposition,' and one who 'takes to learning exceedingly well.' He
attended the grammar school of the French clergyman until the age of
fourteen, and then entered King's (now Columbia) College, at that time
under the care of President Johnson. Here he became intimate with
three youths with whom he was destined to be memorably associated
in after life, and whose names, with his own, have since become
historical--Gouverneur Morris, Alexander Hamilton, and Robert R.
Livingston. We can easily imagine that the diversities of character
between these remarkable men were already evident; the ardor and
frankness of Hamilton, the emphatic rhetoric of Morris and fluent grace
of Livingston must have s