WILLIAM P. CAREY.

1789.

ABOVE the cruel views of a conqueror, who, actuated by the lust of fame, shuts his ears to the supplications of pity, and hardening his heart for the work of devastation, wars to establish a shining infamy, by the destruction of his fellow-creatures on the smoking ruins. of desolated kingdoms, the great Washington fought to befriend and save mankind, in defence of whatever is most dear to the generous breast of enlightened patriotism. Distinguished, in an eminent degree, for the great qualities of the Macedonian and Swedish heroes, yet unsullied by the savage cruelty and intemperance of the one, or mad ambition and obstinacy of the other, he possessed the rare gift of uniting all the sublime talents requisite in the founder of a mighty empire, with the polished refinements of civilized society, and the softest feelings of humanity. A stranger to profusion, yet generous in every instance where liberality was a virtue; during the late troubles, his fortune was employed in succouring merit, rewarding bravery, promoting discipline in the soldiery, and subordination to the new established government, in the citizens. At a time when the calamities incident to a state of civil warfare, fell heavy on all ranks, but principally on the middle class of his countrymen, his beneficence, which seemed to shun the public eye, would in all probability be lost in oblivion, but for the voice of those whom he freed from the accu

mulated miseries of famine, sickness, and imprisonment. Many of his good deeds are passed over by the writers of his time, amidst the striking details of battles, of sieges, and military manoeuvres, with which the general curiosity is often more pleased, than with the less glaring portrait of private virtue. Born with abilities to unite the jarring interests of a number of states, and be the leader of a brave and injured people, nature has not been less favorable to him in corporeal than in mental endowments. His person is majestic and striking, his physiognomy is pre-possessing, and strongly expressive of the noble qualities of his soul: the dignity of his appearance inspires an awe, which keeps the unacquainted beholder at a respectful distance, until the easy politeness of his manner, formed to gain the affections without artifice, and the modest frankness of his conversation, fraught with judicious reflexions, founded on a thorough knowledge of human nature, insensibly banish the coldness of reserve, and induce the philosopher, the soldier, and polished gentleman, to quit his company with regret, filled with sentiments of enthusiastic reverence and admiration. * * * *

Having equalled the greatest heroes of antiquity in glory, the illustrious Washington surpassed them in virtue and exemplary moderation; when his fellow-soldiers laid aside the sword to add lustre to the arts to cultivate their native fields, and to enrich the United States, by a beneficial commerce-when the childless father, the lone orphan, and the widowed mourner, restored to the bosom of peace, and the blessings of plenty, forgot their sorrows, and ceased to weep over the manes of their slaughtered relations-the American hero resigned his command; he refused the liberal rewards offered him by his grateful coun

try; he was contented with the just approbation of a virtuous conscience, and quitting the splendid honors of a public life, he retired to the station of a private citizen.

In whatever light we view the character of this truly great man, we are struck with fresh cause for esteem and admiration: we every moment discover new and shining traits of humanity, of wisdom, and disinterested heroism: we see united in him the distinguished virtues of a good citizen, an experienced general, an upright senator, and a wise politician; we behold him rising superior to every mean consideration of self-love, hazarding his fortunes in the cause of freedom, chearfully submitting to bear the name of rebel, and braving an ignominious death, to which he would inevitably have fallen a sacrifice, had Britain triumphed in the contest: we behold him furnishing an example the most glorious to the world, the most animating to the nations which yet groan beneath the arm of oppression, an example the most interesting to humanity, and capable of nerving the palsied arm of age, or even of cowardice itself: we behold him like another Aaron, the sacred delegate of heaven, leading to the field a brave but ill appointed and new-raised army, to contend with the ablest generals and best disciplined troops of the mightiest empire in the universe: we behold him often without money, and ill supplied with provisions, braving the accumulated severities of an American winter's campaign, inuring his soldiers to fatigue, and training them by the practice of military evolutions, to defeat the attacks of a powerful enemy: we view him stedfastly pursuing the great line of conduct which he had marked. out at the commencement of hostilities, mitigating the calamities of war, preventing the effusion of human blood, wasting the forces of his

adversaries, tiring out the British nation by avoiding a decisive action, and finally triumphing over every obstacle which seemed insurmountably to oppose the progress of his arms, and the freedom of his country. The rash and unthinking, who estimate a commander by the multitudes whom he has destroyed, by the cities which he has sacked, and the provinces which he has desolated, may choose some ferocious conqueror for the idol of their reverence. The philanthropist, who laments the miseries which fall on mankind, by the usurpation and ambition of kings, and the philosopher, who judges of the abilities of a general by the tenor of his plans; and their consistence with his situation and resources, will not hesitate to pronounce the Great Washington equal, if not superior to the most shining characters in ancient or modern history.

WILLIAM PAULETT CAREY, a native of Ireland, was born in 1768. He became a resident of England, and distinguished himself as an able advocate of political reform, and as the author of many critical and poetical contributions to the periodicals of the day. He died in 1830. The sketch from which we make the above extract, was written in Dublin for a periodical entitled the Miscellanist, and was subsequently printed May, 1789, in Vol. V. of the American Museum, published at Philadelphia, by his brother Mathew Carey, the eminent philanthropist, writer and publisher of that city. It will also be found in Washingtoniana, Baltimore, 1800.

BRISSOT DE WARVILLE.

1791.

SCARCELY had I arrived at Alexandria, (Nov. 1788,) when I hastened to pay a visit to Mount Vernon, the beautiful seat of General Washington, which is situated at the distance of ten miles lower on the river. To arrive at it, you must cross a great deal of wood, and after passing two eminences, you discover a delightful and elegantly simple habitation. Before it there is a lawn, kept in excellent order. On one side are the stables, and on the other a green-house and buildings, in which the negroes are employed. In a kind of farm-yard you perceive turkeys, geese, ducks, and other kinds of poultry. From this mansion, which commands a view of the Potowmac, there is a most enchanting prospect; on this side there is a very high and extensive portico. The distribution of the whole edifice is very judicious and convenient. On the outside it is covered with a kind of varnished plaster, which renders it impenetrable to water. The General did not arrive till the evening. He returned very much fatigued, from a tour into part of his estates through which he was making a road. You have often heard him compared to Cincinnatus; the comparison is just. This celebrated General is at present only a plain farmer, continually employed in looking after his farm, as he calls it; in improving the cultivation of it, and in building barns. He showed me one which he had erected. It is an immense