HAMILTON. 293 and introduced i t s author t o the correspondence o f several o f the most eminent philosophers, and t o the acquaintance o f almost every foreigner o f science who visited Ireland. I n 1788, h e published “An Account o f Experiments for determining the Temperature o f the Earth's Surface i n Ireland,” which was printed i n the Transactions o f the Royal Irish Academy. About the year 1790, h e was appointed b y the University rector o f Fanet, i n the county o f Donegal, where the variety and extent o f his professional occupations, unavoidably interrupted his phi losophical studies. He, however, found leisure for the composition and publication o f “Letters o n the French Revolution,” written principally with the benevolent in tention o f informing the minds o f the middle and lower ranks o f his countrymen i n the North, o n a subject which had agitated them t o a n alarming degree. A residence o f seven years a t his rectory, had secured t o him the respect and confidence o f a most extensive and populous tract o f country, i n which h e was the only resident magistrate and incumbent. I n both these capa cities, his attention had been uniformly directed t o the welfare, good order, and improvement o f that remote and little frequented district. His efforts had been singularly successful. The country advanced rapidly i n industry and prosperity; and, while the other parts o f the North were i n a state o f disturbance, long remained tranquil. At length the contagion unhappily reached his neighbour hood, and his active measures and personal exertions had succeeded i n giving a check t o i t s progress, when, o n March 2nd, 1797, o n his return from Raphoe, where h e had spent the preceding night a t the Bishop's, h e was murdered. The roughness o f the weather had caused some delay a t the ferry over Lough Swilly, which induced him t o take the opportunity o f calling o n his friend Dr. Waller, o f Sharon, who resided about a mile from that place, where h e was unfortunately prevailed o n t o remain a l l night. About nine i n the evening, the house was beset b y a number o f armed men, who, after firing several shots through the window o f the room i n which they were
