MATHEWS, William, author, born in Waterville, Maine, 28 July, 1818. He was graduated at Waterville college (now Colby university) in 1835, and studied law in Waterville and at Harvard. He was admitted to the Kennebec county bar in 18138, but continued his law studies another year. The succeeding year he spent in travel and in teaching in Virginia. He began the practice of law at Waterville in 1841, and soon afterward he published a literary and family newspaper, "The Watervillonian," which after a year was changed to "The Yankee Blade." This paper, which soon engrossed all his time, was removed in 1843 to Gardiner, Maine, published there till 1847, and then transferred to Boston, Massachusetts, where it was published till 1856, and then sold and united with "The Portfolio." Dr. Mathews removed to Chicago, Illinois, in 1856, where he became a regular contributor to the press, and in 1859 was appointed librarian of the Young men's association. He resigned this post in 1862, and accepted a call to the chair of rhetoric and English literature in the University of Chicago, which he occupied till 1875. Having meanwhile published two books, which had been received with unexpected favor by the public, he resigned his chair in order to devote himself wholly to literature. He removed to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1880, where, excepting nearly three years of European travel, he has since lived, fn 1868 he received the degree of L.L. D. from Colby university. His publications include "Getting on in the World" (Chicago, 1872" reprinted in London, and translated into Swedish and Magyar)" " The Great Conversers, and Other Essays" (1873). "Words, their Use and Abuse" (1876" enlarged ed., 1884)" "Hours with Men and Books" (1877); "Monday-Chats," a translation of selections from the" Causeries du Lundi" of Sainte-Beuve, with an introductory essay on his life and writings (1877)" "Oratory and Orators" (1879)" " Literary Style, and Other Essays" (1881)" and "Men, Places, and Things" (1887). Dr. Mathews has now in preparation (1888) "Wit and Humor, their Use and Abuse."