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the revolution, and, in the agency of Washington, raised man almost above his accustomed rank in the creation withdrew his favorite production, when human talen or human virtue was no longer sufficient to preserve the tranquillity, or retain the veneration of his country. The pages of futurity, if then unfolded, would have reversed the deep sensations of regret, by changing into thankfulness the unequalled feelings caused by a departure, at an age that promised many years of happiness to himself and benefit to his country.

The mind of the great Washington was not more solicitous for the welfare of the nation, than for the comfort of the poor. His charities, whilst given with a discerning, were diffused with an unsparing, hand. On each of his plantations, a corn house was every year filled, solely for their use; on one of his best fishing shores he kept, in complete order for them, a boat and net; and men ready to help those who were themselves too weak to haul the seine: and, so feelingly attentive was he to any poor persons who wished to speak to him, that he had a room set apart for them; and, though in company with the most distinguished characters, he instantly begged a few moments' absence, and attended the distressed.

General Washington had never any offspring. In his twenty-seventh year he had married Mrs. Čustis, a lady, who to a handsome person and large fortune, added every accomplishment that contributes to the felicity of the connubial state. To Mrs. Washington, his domestic partner for forty years, he bequeathed, during her life, Mount Vernon and a considerable share of his extensive lands, which, on her decease, were to become the property of his nephew, Bushrod Washington To his brother Charles, he left only a memorial of his affection, in consideration of the ample provision made by him for his children. Mrs. Washington's grand-children were remembered as his own; every branch of his numerous relations, and many

charitable institutions, experienced the liberality of his heart. He directed that his negroes should be emancipated after Mrs. Washington's decease; lamenting that impediments insurmountable had prevented his liberating them before, he provided for the support and education of the young on his plantations and for the maintenance of the old and infirm.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIRST

Early Rising.

How foolish they who lengthen night,
And slumber in the morning light!
How sweet at early morning's rise,
To view the glories of the skies,
And mark with curious eye, the sun
Prepare his radiant course to run!
Its fairest form then nature wears,
And clad in brightest green appears.
The sprightly lark, with artless lay,
Proclaims the entrance of the day.

How sweet to breathe the gale's perfume,
And feast the eye with nature's bloom!
Along the dewy lawn to rove,
And hear the music of the grove!

Nor

you, ye delicate and fair,
Neglect to taste the morning air;
This will your nerves with vigor brace,
Improve and heighten every grace;
Add to your breath a rich perfume;
And to your cheeks a fairer bloom:
With lustre teach your eyes to glow,
And health and cheerfulness bestow.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SECOND

Compassion and Forgiveness.

I hear the voice of wo;

A brother mortal mourns:

My eyes with tears, for tears o'erflow;
My heart his sighs return.

I hear the thirsty cry,

The famished beg for bread:
O let my spring its streams supply;
My hand its bounty shed.-

And shall not wrath relent,

Touched by that humble strain,
My brother crying, "I repent,
Nor will offend again!"

How else, on sprightly wing,

Can hope bear high my prayer,
Up to thy throne, my God, my King,
To plead for pardon there?

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THIRD

The Bears of Missouri.

To render the purchase of Louisiana of the utmost benefit, as well as to extend the field of natural science, Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, both officers of the regular army, were sent by the president, Mr. Jefferson, with instructions drawn by himself, to explore the river Missouri and the contiguous countries, and discover the best communication with the Pacific ocean. Never was an arduous enterprise accomplished with more ability and prudence. Accompanied by thirtyfive persons, mostly soldiers, they embarked at St.

Louis, in suitable boats, in May, 1804, and ascended the Missouri to its stupendous falls, a distance of three thousand miles; thence crossed the Rocky Mountains, impeded by its everlasting snows, and descended various streams, until, after travelling four hundred miles, they reached the navigable waters of the Columbia; and, following its course six hundred and forty, were recompensed for all their toils and privations by a view of the Pacific. They reached St. Louis, on their return, in September, 1806, after an absence from all civilisation, of more than twentyseven months. The journey from St. Louis was above four thousand miles; in returning, thirty-five hundred; making in the whole seven thousand five hundred miles. Only one of their party, of a sickly constitution, had died. Amongst all the Indian nations through which they passed, they were only once incommoded by a skirmish, in defending a rifle.

Their most dangerous enemies were the bears. These are described as most formidable animals, and frequently assailed them. One evening the men discovered a large brown bear lying on the open ground, about three hundred paces from the river. Six good hunters immediately went to attack him, and concealing themselves by a small eminence, approached within forty yards. Four of their number now fired, and each lodged a ball in his body-two of them directly through his lungs.

The furious beast sprang up, and ran at them with open mouth. As he came near, the two hunters who had reserved their fire, gave him two wounds; one of which, having broken his shoulder, retarded his motion for an instant: but, before they could reload, he was so close that the whole party were compelled to run towards the river, and before they reached it, he had almost overtaken them.

Two jumped into the canoe; the remaining four separated, and, hiding amongst the willows, fired as

fast as they could reload. They struck him several times, but instead of weakening the monster, or causing him to retreat, each shot seemed to invigorate him, and direct him towards the hunters: till at length, he pursued two of them so closely, that they threw aside their guns and pouches, and jumped down a perpendicular bank, twenty feet, into the river. The bear sprang after them, and was within a few feet of the hindmost, when one of the hunters on shore shot him through the head, and killed him. Captain Lewis, himself, was exposed to a similar peril. Having shot a buffalo, one of at least a thousand which formed a herd, before he could reload, he was chased by a huge bear for three hundred yards; when, plunging into the river, and presenting his spear, the animal was deterred; and, wheeling about, retreated in as much haste as he had pursued.

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Among the enthusiastic foreigners who generously espoused our cause, and at an early period of the revolution, resorted to the American army, I will name some whose meritorious services entitle them to the grateful recollection of the present and future generations. Baron de Kalb was by birth a German.

He had attained a high reputation in military service, and was a Knight of the order of Merit, and a Brigadier General in the armies of France. He accompanied the Marquis de la Fayette to this country, and having proffered his services to Congress, he was, in September, 1777, appointed to the office of Major General. In the summer of 1780, he was second in command in our southern army, under Major General Gates.

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