mighty angels hastened forth, with golden harps, to welcome the honoured stranger. High in front of the shouting hosts, were seen the beauteous forms of FRANKLIN, WARREN, MERCER, SCAMMEL, and of HIM who fell at Quebec, with all the virtuous PATRIOTS, who, on the side of Columbia, toiled or bled for liberty and truth. But oh! how changed from what they were, when, in their days of flesh, bathed in sweat and blood, they fell at the parent feet of their weeping country! Not the homeliest infant suddenly springing into a soul-enchanting Hebe-not dreary winter suddenly brightening into spring, with all her bloom and fragrance, ravishing the senses, could equal such a glorious change. Oh! where are now their wrinkles and grey hairs? Where their ghastly wounds and clotted blood? Their forms are of the stature of angels-their robes like morning clouds streaked with gold-the stars of heaven, like crowns, glitter on their heads-immortal youth, celestial rosy red, sits blooming on their cheeks, while infinite benignity and love beam from their eyes. Such were the forms of thy sons, O Columbia! such the brother band of thy martyred saints, that now poured forth from heaven's wide opening gates, to meet thy Washington; to meet their beloved chief, who, in the days of his mortality, had led their embattled squadrons to the war. At sight of him, even these blessed spirits seem to feel new raptures, and to look more dazzlingly bright. In joyous throngs they pour around him-they devour him with their eyes of love-they embrace him in transports of tenderness unutterable; while from their roseate cheeks, tears of joy, such as angels weep, roll down.

ALL that followed was too much for the over-dazzled eye of Imagination. She was seen to return, with the quick panting bosom and looks entranced of a fond mother, near swooning at sudden sight of a dear loved son, deemed lost, but now found, and raised to kingly honours! She was heard passionately to exclaim, with palms and eyes lifted to heaven, "O, who

can count the stars of Jacob, or number the fourth part of the blessings of Israel!-Let me die the death of Washington! and may my latter end be like his !"

LET us now return to all that remained of Washington on earth. He had expressly ordered in his will, that he should be buried in a private manner, and without any parade. But this was impossible; for who could stay at home when it was said, "To-day general Washington is to be buried!" On the morning of the 18th, which was fixed on for his funeral, the people poured in by thousands to pay him the last respect, and, as they said, to take their last look. And, while they looked on him, nature stirred that at their hearts, which quickly brought the best blood into their cheeks, and rolled down the tears from their eyes. About two o'clock they bore him to his long home, and buried him in his own family vault, near the banks of the great Potomac. And to this day, aften as the ships of war pass that way, they waken up the thunder of their loudest guns, pointed to the spot, as if to tell the sleeping hero, that he is not forgotten in his narrow dwelling.

THE news of his death soon reached Philadelphia, where Congress was then in session. A question of importance being on the carpet that day, the house, as usual, was much interested. But, soon as it was announced "GENERAL WASHINGTON IS DEAD”. an instant stop was put to all business-the tongue of the orator was struck dumb-and a midnight silence ensued, save when it was interrupted by deepest sighs of the members, as, with drooping foreheads rested on their palms, they sat, each absorbed in mournful cogitation. Presently, as utterly unfit for business, both houses adjourned; and the members retired slow and sad to their lodgings, like men who had suddenly heard of the death of a father.

FOR several days hardly any thing was done in Congress; hardly any thing thought of but to talk of and to praise the departed Washington. In this patriotic work all parties joined with equal alacrity and ear

esntness. In this all were federalists, all were republicans. Elegant addresses were exchanged between the two houses of Congress and the President, and all of them replete with genius and gratitude.

THEN, by unanimous consent, Congress came to the following resolutions:

1st. THAT a grand marble monument should be erected at the city of Washington, under which with permission of his lady, the body of the general should be deposited.

2d. THAT there should be a funeral procession. from congress hall to the German Lutheran church, to hear an oration delivered by one of the members of congress.

3d. THAT the members of congress should wear full mourning during the session.

4th. THAT it should be recommended to the peuple of the United States to wear crape on the left arm, as mourning, for thirty days.

BUT, thank God, the people of the United States needed not the hint contained in the last resolution. Though they could not all very elegantly speak, yet their actions showed that they all very deeply felt what they owed to washington. For, in every city, village, and hamlet, the people were so struck on hearing of his death, that long before they heard of the resolution of congress, they ran together to ease their troubled minds in talking and hearing talk of Washington, and to devise some public mode of testifying their sorrow for his death. Every where throughout the continent, churches and court houses were hung in black, mourning was put on, processions were made, and sermons preached, while the crowded houses listened with pleasure to the praises of Washington, or sighed and wept when they heard of his toils and battles for his country.

Q 2

CHAPTER XIII.

CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON.

Let the poor witling argue all he can,
It is Religion still that makes the man.

WHEN the children of the years to come, hearing his great name re-echoed from every lip, shall say to their fathers, "What was it that raised Washington to such height of glory ?" let them be told that it was HIS GREAT TALENTS, CONSTANTLY GUIDED AND GUARDED BY RELIGION. For how shall man, frail man, prone to inglorious ease and pleasure, ever ascend the arduous steps of virtue, unless animated by the mighty hopes of religion? Or what shall stop him in his swift descent to infamy and vice, if unawed by that dread power, which proclaims to the guilty that their secret crimes are seen, and shall not go unpunished? Hence, the wise, in all ages, have pronounced, that "there never was a truly great man without religion."

THERE have, indeed, been courageous generals, and cunning statesmen, without religion, but mere courage or cunning, however transcendent, never yet made a great man.

"ADMIT that this can conquer, that can cheat! "Tis phrase absurd, to call a villain great! "Who wickedly is wise, or madly brave, "Is but the more a fool, the more a knave."

No! to be truly great, a man must have not only great talents, but those talents must be constantly exerted on great, i. e. good actions—and perseveringly too--for if he should turn aside to vice-farewell to his heroism. Hence, when Epaminondas was asked which was the greatest man, himself or Pelopidas ? he replied, "wait till we are dead:" meaning that

the all of heroism depends on perseverance in great and good actions. But sensual and groveling as man is, what can incline and elevate him to those things like religion, that divine power, to whom alone it belongs to present those vast and eternal goods and ills which best alarm our fears, enrapture our hopes, inflame the worthiest loves, rouse the truest avarice, and in short, touch every spring and passion of our souls in favour of virtue and noble actions.

DID SHAME restrain Alcibiades from a base action in the presence of socrates?" Behold," says Religion, “ a greater than Socrates is here!"

DID LOVE embolden Jacob to brave fourteen years of slavery for an earthly beauty? Religion springs that eternal love, for whose sake good men can even gloin laborious duties.

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DID the ambition of a civic crown animate Scipio to heroic deeds? Religion holds a crown, at the sight of which the laurels of a Cæsar droop to weeds.

DID avarice urge Cortez through a thousand toils and dangers for wealth? Religion points to those treasures in heaven, compared to which all diamond beds and mines of massy gold are but trash.

DID good Aurelius study the happiness of his subjects for this world's glory? Religion displays that world of glory, where those who have laboured to make others happy, shall "shine like stars for ever and for ever."

DOES the FEAR of death deter man from horrid crimes? Religion adds infinite horrors to that fearit warns them of a death both of soul and body in hell.

In short, what motives under heaven can restrain men from vices and crimes, and urge them on, full stretch, after individual and national happiness, like those of religion? For lack of these motives, alas! how many who once dazzled the world with the glare of their exploits, are now eclipsed and set to rise no more!

THERE was Arnold, who, in courage and military talents,glittered in the same firmament with Wash