MASON, JOHN Youxn (1799-1859). An .1meriean politician, born at Greensville, Sussex County. Va. Ile was educated at the University of North Carolina, and in 1810 was admitted to the bar. After presiding over Federal and State Courts and serving for a number of terms in the Virginia Assembly, he was a member of Congress from 1831 until 1837, and was judge of the l'n i 011 States District Court for Virginia from 1837 until 1844. when President Tyler made him Secretary of the Navy. lie mitered the Cabinet of President. Polk as Attorney-General, hut was soon returned to the Navy Department. Tn 1853 President Pierce made him Minister to France, where he remained until WS death. On October 10, 1854, he met. Buchanan and So 16. the min isters of the United States to England and Spain, respectively, in a conference at Ostend, and in conjunction with them issued the famous Ostend Manifesto (q.v.).
MASOli, LOWELL ( 1792-1872). An American music teacher, born in Medfield, Mass. When only
sixteen he directed a church choir at Medfield and upon Iris removal to Savannah continued his interest in musical affairs. In 1827 he returned to Boston, where he became president of the Handel and llaydn Society and strongly advo cated the Pestalozzi system of teaching. He founded the Boston Academy of Music (1832), and in 1837 went to Germany to study musical pedagogic methods. The University of the City of New York gave him the degree of doctor of music (1853). He is remembered chiefly for his numerous hymn-tunes, which are still in general use throughout the country, and his collections of songs. Boston, Handel and Haydn Collection of Church ilusie Jurenilc Psalmist (1829) ; Lyre Sacra (1837); The Sabbath Hymn and Tune-Book (with E. A. Park and Austin Phelps. 1859) ; The Psaltery (1845) ; Carmina ,Ssccea (1841) ; and New Carmine( Sacra (1852).