s religion,
which could alone have sufficient empire over the minds of a
barbarous and warlike people to engage them to cultivate the arts
of peace.

Dr. Halley's Table of Observations exhibiting the probabilities of
life; containing an account of the whole number of people of
Breslau, capital of Silesia, and the number of those of every age,
from one to a hundred. (Here follows the table with comments by
A.H.)

When the native money is worth more than the par in foreign,
exchange is high; when worth less, it is low.

Portugal trade--Spanish trade--Artificers--Money--Exchange--Par of
exchange--Balance of
trade--Manufactures--Foundry--Coin--Gold--Silver--Naval
Power--Council of trade--Fishery.

Money coined in England from the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

Quere. Would it not be advisable to let all taxes, even those
imposed by the States, be collected by persons of Congressional
appointment; and would it not be advisable to pay the collectors so
much per cent. on the sums collected?

Hamilton was nineteen at this time, and while there are many instances
of mental precocity in the history of mankind, it is doubtful if there
is a parallel case of so great a _range_ of intellectual curiosity, or
such versatility combined with pursuit of knowledge as distinct from
information. But the above notes are chiefly significant as showing that
long before he could have dreamed of directing the finances of the
United States, while he was wild with delight at the prospect of
military excitement and glory, a part of his mind was imperiously
attracted to the questions which were to become identified in American
history with his name.

Washington often came in and sat for an hour with him; and although they
talked military science and future campaigns invariably,--for
Washington was a man of little reading and his thoughts moved in a
constant procession to one tune,--this was perhaps the happiest period
of their intercourse. The Chief demanded nothing, and his young friend
was free to give or not, as he chose. In that interval nothing gave
Hamilton such pleasure as to see Washington come into the cool library,
his face softening.

"You have a streak of light in you that never goes out," said the man of
many burdens once. "When I catch a spark of it, I am cheered for the
rest of the day. When I am close to it for a time, I can feel the