2. Tell me, ye who make your pious pilgrimage to the shades of Vernon, is Washington, indeed, shut up in that cold and narrow house? That which made these men, and men like these, cannot die. The hand that traced the charter of Independence is, indeed, motionless; the eloquent lips that sustained it are hushed; but the lofty spirits that conceived, resolved, and maintained it, and which alone, to such men, "make it life to live," these cannot expire: "These shall resist the empire of decay, When time is o'er, and worlds have passed away : Cold in the dust the perished heart may lie, But that which warmed it once can never die." 7.-VICE. 1. VICE is a monster of so frightful mien, 8.-FROM HIAWATHA'S WOOING. 1. AND the ancient arrow maker And she follows where he leads her, POPE. LONGFELLOW. 9.—THE LUNATIC, THE LOVER, AND THE POET. 1. THE lunatic, the lover, and the poet Are of imagination all compact. One sees more devils than vast hell can hold; SHAKSPEARE. A 28 That is the madman: the lover, all as frantic, Sees Helen's beauty in a brow of Egypt: The poet's eye, in a fine phrenzy rolling, Doth glance from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven; And, as imagination bodies forth The forms of things unknown, the poet's pen Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name. CXXX.-LA FAYETTE'S LAST VISIT TO AMERICA. J. T. HEADLEY. 1. AGAIN, in his old age,* La Fayette determined to look on the young Republic that had escaped the disasters which had overwhelmed France. When his plans were made known, our government offered to place a national vessel at his disposal; but he declined accepting it, and embarked at Havre in a merchantman, and arrived at New York, August 15, 1824. His reception in this country, and triumphal march through it, is one of the most remarkable events in the history of the world. Such gratitude and unbounded affection were never before received by a man from a foreign nation. up, 2. As he passed from Staten Island to New York, the bay was covered with gay barges decorated with streamers; and when the beautiful fleet shoved away, the bands struck "Where can one better be, than in the bosom of his family?" Never did this favorite French air seem so appropriate, not even when the shattered Old Guard closed sternly around its Emperor, and sang it amid the fire of the enemy's guns, as when a free people thus chanted it around the venerable La Fayette. 3. As he touched the shore, the thunder of cannon shook the city,-old soldiers rushed weeping into his arms; and "WELCOME LA FAYETTE!" waved from every banner, rung from every trumpet, and was caught up by every *La Fayette was sixty-seven years of age at the time of his last visit to America. voice, till "WELCOME, WELCOME!" rose and fell in deafening shouts from the assembled thousands. During the four days he remained in the city, it was one constant jubilee; and when he left for Boston, all along his route, the people rose to welcome him. 4. He traveled every night till twelve o'clock, and watch-fires were kept burning on the hill-tops, along his line of progress. Blazing through the darkness, they outshone the torches that heralded him: while in the distance the pealing bells from every church spire, announced his coming. The same enthusiastic joy awaited him at Boston; and when he returned to New York, the city was wilder than ever with excitement. 5. In Castle-Garden there was a splendid illumination in honor of him: the bridge leading to it was surmounted by a pyramid sixty feet high, with a blazing star at the top, from the center of which flashed the name of LA FAYETTE. The planks were covered with carpets, and trees and flowers innumerable lined the passage. Over the entrance was a triumphal arch of flowers,-huge columns arose from the area, supporting arches of flowers, and flags, and statues. As he entered this wilderness of beauty, the bands struck up, "See the conquering hero comes," and shouts shook the edifice to its foundation. 6. He had scarcely taken his seat in a splendid marquee prepared for his reception, when the curtain before the gallery, in front of him, lifted, and there was a beautiful transparency, representing La Grange, with its grounds and towers, and beneath it, "This is his home." Nothing could be more touching and affectionate than this device; and as La Fayette's eye fell upon it, a tear was seen to gather there, and his lip to quiver with feeling. 7. Thus the people received the "people's friend." From New York he went to Albany and Troy, and one long shout of welcome rolled the length of the Hudson, as he floated up the noble stream. After visiting other cities, and receiving similar demonstrations of gratitude, he turned his steps toward Mount Vernon, to visit the tomb of Washington. The thunder of cannon announced his arrival at the consecrated ground, calling to his mind the time. when he had seen that now lifeless chieftain, move through the tumult of battle. 8. Wishing no one to witness his emotions, as he stood beside the ashes of his friend, he descended alone into the vault. With trembling steps, and uncovered head, he passed down to the tomb. The secrets of that meeting of the living with the dead, no one knows; but when the aged veteran came forth again, his face was covered with tears. He then took his son and secretary by the hand, and led them into the vault. He could not speak,— his bursting heart was too full for utterance, and he mutely pointed to the coffin of Washington. They knelt reverently beside it, then rising threw themselves into La Fayette's arms, and burst into tears. It was a touching scene, there in the silent vault, and worthy the noble sleeper. 9. Thence he went to Yorktown, and then proceeded South, passed through all the principal cities to New Orleans, and thence up the Mississippi to Cincinnati and across to Pittsburg. Wherever he went the entire nation rose to do him homage. "Honor to La Fayette," "Welcome to La Fayette, the nation's guest," and such like exclamations had met him at every step. Flowers were strewed along his pathway: his carriage detached from the horses, and drawn by the enthusiastic crowd, along ranks of grateful freemen who rent the heavens with their acclamations. Melted to tears by these demonstrations of love, he had moved like a father amid his children, scattering blessings wherever he went. 10. One of his last acts in this country, was to lay the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument. It was fit that he, the last survivor of the major-generals of the American Revolution, should consecrate the first block in that grand structure. Amid the silent attention of fifty thousand spectators, this aged veteran, and friend of Washington, with uncovered head, performed the imposing ceremonies, and, "LONG LIVE LA FAYETTE," Swelled up from the top of Bunker Hill. CXXXI.-ADVERTISEMENT OF A LOST DAY. 1. LOST! lost! lost! A gem of countless price, Cut from the living rock, And graved in Paradise. Set round with three times eight Large diamonds, clear and bright, 2. Lost, where the thoughtless throng Leaving a sting behind: A golden harp to buy, Such as the white-robed choir attune To deathless minstrelsy. 3. Lost! lost! lost! I feel all search is vain: That gem of countless cost Can ne'er be mine again: I offer no reward, For till these heart-strings sever, 4. But when the sea and land, Like burning scroll have fled, Who judgeth quick and dead; That man can ne'er repair, MRS. SIGOURney. |