Andre of Southampton -- a character whose career is scarcely to be paralleled even in the pages of Gil. Bias. This person came over to England from his native Switzerland, at a very early age and, probably, towards the close of the seventeenth century. By his own account, his origin was perfectly respectable, and even distinguished ; and in his later days he would assert that by right he was possessed of a title."6 Major John Andre was born either in London or Southampton, A. D. 175 1. He was first placed in school at Hackney, under a Mr. Newcombe ; whence after a time he was withdrawn and sent for several years to Geneva to complete his education. He was master of many things that in those days very rarely constituted a part of a gentleman's education, and which, indeed, even in these are to be found rather in exceptions than the rule. The modern European languages -- French, German, Italian, &c, are said to have been possessed by him in singular perfection j while in musie, painting, drawing and dancing, he particularly excelled. When we consider that with these accomplishments was joined a nature always ambitious of distinction, a mind stored with the belles lettres of the day, and endowed not only with a taste for poetry, but with considerable readiness in its composition ; added to his person which, though slender, was remarkably active and graceful, we need not wonder that his attractions were such as to win the favor of all with whom he came in contact. At the university of Geneva he was remarked for a diligent student, and for an active and inquiring mind ; and in special was distinguished by his proficiency in the schools of mathematics and of military drawings. To his skill in this last branch, his subsequent rapid advancement in the army was in great part attributable." In 1767 or 1 768. when about sixteen or seventeen years of age, he entered the counting house of his father.