The brief career of Thomas Lynch Jr. admonishes us that life is held by a slender cord and that exalted talents and splendid accomplishments, like some rich flowers, often bloom just long enough to be gazed at and admired--then close up their petals and hide their beauties for ever from enraptured sight. THOMAS McKEAN. Great designs require the deep consideration of strong, vigorous and investigating minds. Imposing events open a wide field for fame and bring to view powers of intellect that would never unfold their beauties under ordinary circumstances. Hence the brilliancy of talent that illuminated the glorious era of the American Revolution. Many who became eminent statesmen and renowned heroes during that memorable struggle would have remained within the sphere of their particular occupation in time of peace. The public gaze would never have been fixed upon them--they would have passed away with a rich mine of undeveloped mental powers. Hence the erroneous expression I have heard from men who do not analyze all they read, hear and see--that we have no men among us _now_ with the exalted talents of the sages of '76. Just such an occasion would explode the error. That many of the patriots of that eventful period were men of unusual ability and acquirements--I freely--proudly admit. That the momentous transactions that engaged their attention served to add an unequalled lustre to their names is emphatically true. The perils that encompassed them--the dangers that surrounded them--the mighty work they conceived, planned and consummated--all combine to shed a sacred halo around their well earned fame. Prominent among them was Thomas McKean, a native of Chester County, Pennsylvania, born on the 19th of March 1731. He was the son of William McKean who immigrated from Ireland at an early age. He placed this son under the tuition of Rev. Francis Allison then principal of the most popular seminary of the province. He was a gentleman of profound erudition and science. The intellect of Thomas budded and bloomed like the rose of spring. He was a close student--his rapid attainments gave an earnest of a bright future. He left the seminary a thorough linguist, a practical mathematician, a moral philosopher, a finished scholar, an accomplished gentleman--esteemed, respected and admired by his numerous friends.