BARTLETT, Joseph, adventurer, born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, 10 June 1762; died in Boston, 20 October 1827. He was graduated at Harvard in 1782, and took the master's degree four years later. After studying law in Salem, Massachusetts, he went to England. It is related that, while attending one of General Burgoyne's plays, in which the former occupations of some American officers are ridiculed, Bartlett, rising front his seat, cried out, " Hurrah! Great Britain beaten by barbers, tailors, and tinkers!" This was taken in good part, and obtained him the acquaintance of many of the young bloods of the day. Bartlett now gambled and spent his money until he brought up in a debtor's prison. He made money enough for his release by writing a play, and afterward, taking the name of Matt-land, went upon the stage at Edinburgh. After this he embarked for the United States with a quantity of goods which he had bought on credit, and was shipwrecked on Cape Cod. In Boston he became a merchant, but failed, and then figured for a while as captain of volunteers in Shays's rebellion without seeing any active service. He then opened a law office in Woburn, Massachusetts, where, as an advertisement, he painted his house black and called it " The Coffin." After this he removed to Cambridge, where in 1799 he delivered before the Harvard Phi Beta Kappa society a satirical poem entitled " Physiognomy," in which he is said to have portrayed well-known men of the day, though no names are mentioned. This poem, accompanied by a number of aphorisms, was published in Boston in 1823 and dedicated to John Quincy Adams. In 1823 Bartlett delivered a fourth-of-July oration at Boston, and recited a poem entitled " The New Vicar of Bray," which became celebrated. He next went to Maine, where he was sent to the legislature, and was nearly elected to congress. In 1805 he edited the " Freeman's Friend" at Saco, Maine, and on 4 July of that year delivered an oration at Biddeford. He afterward practiced law in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and finally returned to Boston, where for a few years before his death he was supported by his friends.