cibility of love of country? Or, shall I carry you to the painful scenes of Long Island, York Island, and New Jersey, when combating superior and gallant armies, aided by powerful fleets, and led by chiefs high in the rolls of fame, he stood the bulwark of our safety,-undismayed by disaster, unchanged by change of fortune? Or, will you view him in the precarious fields of Trenton, where deep gloom, unnerving every arm, reigned triumphant throughout thinned, worn down, unaided ranks, himself unmoved? Dreadful was the night. It was about this time of winter; the storm raged; the Delaware rolling furiously with floating ice forbade the approach of man. Washington, self collected, viewed the tremendous scene. His country called. Unappalled by surrounding dangers he passed to the hostile shore. He fought; he conquered. The morning sun cheered the American world. Our country rose on the event; and her dauntless chief, pursuing his blow, completed on the lawns of Princeton what his vast soul had conceived on the shores of Delaware. To the horrid din of battle sweet peace succeeded, and our virtuous chief, mindful only of the common good, in a moment tempting personal aggrandisement, hushed the discontents of growing sedition, and surrendering his power into the hands from which he had received it, converted his sword into a ploughshare, teaching an admiring world that to be truly great you must be truly good. Great as was our Washington in war, and much as did that greatness contribute to produce the American Republic, it is not in war alone his pre-eminence stands conspicuous. His various talents, combining all the capacities of a statesman with those of a soldier, fitted him alike to guide the councils and the armies of our nation. Scarcely had he rested from his martial toils, while his invaluable parental advice was still sounding in our ears, when he who had been our shield and our sword was called forth to act a less splendid but a more important part. Possessing a clear and a penetrating mind, a strong and a sound judgment, calmness and temper for deliberation, with invincible firmness and perseverance in resolutions maturely formed, drawing information from all, acting from himself with incorruptible integrity and unvarying patriotism, his own superiority and the public confidence alike marked him as the man designed by Heaven to lead in the great political as well as military events which have distinguished the era of his life. The Presidential term expiring, his solicitude to exchange exaltation for humility returned with a force increased with increase of age; and he had prepared his farewell address to his countrymen, proclaiming his intention, when the united interposition of all around him, enforced by the eventful prospects of the epoch, produced a farther sacrifice of inclination to duty. The election of President followed; and Washington, by the unanimous vote of the nation, was called to resume the chief magistracy. What a wonderful fixture of confidence! Which attracts most our admiration-a people so correct, or a citizen combining such an assemblage of talents forbidding rivalry, and stifling even envy itself! Such a nation ought to be happy; such a chief must be for ever revered. War, long menaced by the Indian tribes, now broke out; and the terrible conflict, deluging Europe with blood, began to shed its baneful influence over our happy land. To the first, outstretching his invincible arm under the orders of the gallant Wayne, the American eagle soared triumphant through distant forests. Peace followed victory; and the melioration of the condition of the enemy followed peace. To the second he opposed himself. New and delicate was the conjuncture, and great was the stake. Soon did his penetrating mind discern and seize the only course continuing to us all the felicity enjoyed. He issued his proclamation of neutrality. This index to his whole subsequent conduct was sanctioned by the approbation of both Houses of Congress, and by the approving voice of the people. To this sublime policy he inviolably adhered, unmoved by foreign intrusion, unshaken by domestic turbulence. Maintaining his pacific system at the expense of no duty, America, faithful to herself, and unstained in her honour, continued to enjoy the delights of peace, while afflicted Europe mourns in every quarter under the accumulated miseries of an unexampled war-miseries in which our happy country must have shared, had not our pre-eminent Washington been as firm in council as he was brave in the field. Pursuing steadfastly his course, he held safe the public happiness, preventing foreign war, and quelling internal discord, till the revolving period of a third election approached, when he executed his interrupted but inextinguishable desire of returning to the humble walks of private life. First in war-first in peace—and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate, and sincere-uniform, dignified, and commanding— his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting. To his equals he was condescending; to his inferiors kind; and to the dear object of his affection exemplarily tender. Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence, and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues. His last scene comported with the whole tenor of his life. Although in extreme pain, not a sigh, not a groan escaped him; and with undisturbed serenity he closed his well-spent life. Such was the man America has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation mourns.-LEE. THE ALDERMAN'S FUNERAL. Stranger. Whom are they ushering from the world, with all This pageantry and long parade of death? Townsman. A long parade, indeed, sir, and yet here S. 'Tis but a mournful sight, and yet the pomp T. Yonder schoolboy, Ay, what was worth, last week, a good half million,- S. Then he was born T. When first I heard his death, that very wish S. The camel and the needle.— Is that, then, in your mind? T. Even so. The text Is gospel wisdom. I would ride the camel,- Could pass the narrow gate. S. Your pardon, sir, But sure this lack of Christian charity Looks not like Christian truth. T. Your pardon too, sir, If, with this text before me, I should feel In the preaching mood! But for these barren fig-trees, We have been told their destiny and use, S. Was his wealth Stored fraudfully, the spoil of orphans wrong'd, So hardly of the dead? S. Why judge ye, then, T. For what he left Undone :-for sins, not one of which is mention'd Swore no false oaths, except at the custom-house: Never picked pockets: never bore false-witness: S. You knew him, then, it seems! T. As all men know The virtues of your hundred-thousanders: T. We track the streamlet by the brighter green S. Yet even these Are reservoirs whence public charity Still keeps her channels full. T. Now, sir, you touch r; To that hard face. Yet he was always found His alms were money put to interest When, for the trusted talents, strict account S. I must needs How can this man have lived, that thus his death T. Who should lament for him, sir, in whose heart |