congraturatory addresses were now presented to the savior of bis country and how greatly admired were all his answers; how dignified, and how modest! how replete with excellent sentiments, and especially those of gratitude to the great disposer of events, to whose favor he was always mindful to ascribe his victories! I mention this, because it has always appeared to be one of the brightest traits in his character. He ever showed a profound reverence and sincere gratitude to that almighty being, who is governor among the nations," and who "raiseth up and casteth down at pleasure."

HAPPY in his retirement,-in the contemplation of our national prosperity, and in the consciousness of a well-spent life, he was again called by the unanimous voice of his country, to preside over her councils, and to contribute his aid to cement the union of the states. For the confederation was found on trial to be only a rope of sand; and a new constitution and bond of union was absolutely necessary, to make us respectable abroad, and to secure a general co-operation and harmony at home. How much our illustrious Washington contributed to this, good work, his grateful countrymen will long remember. Without this bond of union, we should have been, like some of the ancient rival states of Greece, engaged in perpetual quarrels among ourselves, and an easy prey to some bold invader. Under his wise and firm administration as first president of the United States, we enjoyed a great degree of peace and prosperity; while the fierce nations of Europe were seeking each. other's destruction.

WHEN he had finished his course in this exalted station, he again retired to the shade of private life,-hoping never again to fill any public office.

BUT providence had something more for his chosen servant yet to do, before he should enjoy the repose of the grave. He must once more appear at the head of our armies. And we have reason to think, that his acceptance of this high command was of vast importance, both to call forth afresh the military spirit of his country, and to show foreign powers, that we know how to maintain, as we knew how to acquire, our independence.

BUT, ah! how unexpectedly are we deprived of our accomplished chief! How is the mighty fallen! No rank, or power, no virtues, or honors, however pre-eminent, can save us from the great destroyer! How exalted soever any man may have been, and however long and prosperously he may have lived,— the account must still be closed with the solemn sentence, he is here no more!

WEEP, O America! thy loss is great, let thy tears be many for thy most accomplished and best-loved son is snatched away! The heroic general, the patriotic statesman, the virtuous sage!His glory was indeed complete. There is no merely human character, delineated in the page of history, round which shine in fuller radiance the beams of every soul-exalting virtue : we can scarcely conceive of any thing which could be added, to give it a brighter lustre. Although far advanced in years, and his active powers and military ardor somewhat perhaps abated, yet still his glory was full-orbed and like the setting sun, though less dazzling, still retained the same magnitude, as at its meridian elevation, Providence unwilling, (if I

may be allowed the expression) that his glory should be tarnished in the least, by an exhibition of any of those weaknes. ses that are incident to extreme old age, removed him to a higher world, while yet his mental powers were entire, and his life active and useful. It was a saying of Solon, one of the wisest men of Greece, to one of the richest of kings, who wished to be complimented as the happiest of men, that, no man should be called fortunate or happy, before death had finished his course. Not a few, who once were honored, have outlived their fame, and at last sunk, unnoticed or despised, into the grave. Far otherwise the hero whose praises we celebrate : as he was great in life, so he was great and magnanimous in death; and he is "gone to the sepulchre of his fathers,” laden with honors. Never perhaps was the death of any man, in any age, more sincerely, more generally lamented. Every where is heard the voice of condolence and the language of eulogy ;every where the sable tokens of mourning are seen!

WHAT an honor to a nation, to have given birth to such a man; and to have his name, as a hero, a patriot, and a statesman, to adorn the first and brightest pages of her history!

How much soever, therefore, we may have cause to mourn; let us be thankful that he has been called away, full of years, and with accummulated honors.

LET us see the hand of the Lord in all that befalls us; and pray to him, "whose arm is not weakened that it cannot save,” to raise up for us other Washingtons, to lead our armies, and to inspire our councils.

PATRIOTS of America, and military officers of every name! view the great example that is set before you. Emulate the virtues of your departed chief; and in due time, your heads will also be adorned with the wreath of honor. Here you will learn what is true and unfading glory. You will see, that it is not the man, who is led on by the blind impulse of ambition; who rushes into the midst of embattled hosts merely to show his contempt of death; or who wastes fair cities and depopulates rich provinces, to spread far the terrors of his name

who is admired and praised, as the true hero and friend of mankind;-but the man, who, in obedience to the public voice, appears in arms for the salvation of his country, shuns no perils in a just cause, endeavors to alleviate, instead of encrease 'the calamities of war, and whose aim is to strengthen and adorn the temple of liberty, as resting on the immoveable basis of virtue and religion. The voice of justice, and the voice of suffering humanity, forbid us, to bestow the palm of true valor on the mad exploits of the destroyers of mankind. Our hero's delight was to save, not to destroy. His greatest glory is, that with small armies, and the loss of few lives, (compared with the wastes of other wars) he made his country free and happy.

MAY America, while she admires his virtues, follow his councils, and learn from his excellent writings those precepts of wisdom, which, through the blessing of God, may exalt her to the highest felicity, and glory!

MAY the great disposer of all events, when he takes away the fathers of our country, who were first in council and first in arms, raise up others, worthy to fill their places! And may he over-rule all that concerns us, for his glory, and the happiness of his people; and to his name be endless praises.

Extract from an eulogy, on general GEORGE WASHINGTON, pronounced at Boston, before the American academy of arts and sciences. By JOHN DAVIS, A. M.

IN

N common instances of mortality, when a father or friend returns to dust, we do not take our final adieu, though the funeral rites be accomplished. Grief first admits, then invites consolation, from conversing on the lives of the deceased: a recapitulation of their virtues and of their meritorious actions is like Ossian's music, at once, 66 pleasant and mournful to the

soul."

WHEN the father of his country; when a nation's friend descends to the grave, it is fit that public commemorations should mingle with private condolence: that we should frequently recal to view his reverend image, and repeat our votive honors to him, who was never weary in contributing to our happiness.

WITH such impressions, my literary fathers and friends, you have appointed this solemn meeting with such impressions only, could I prevail on myself to attempt the task, which it has been your pleasure to assign to me.

DEATH has frequently taken a distinguished victim from the circle of You have mourned the loss of the association. your venerable Bowdoin, your revered president, your liberal patron, the friend and promoter of all that was excellent and pure: the public spirited, the munificent Hancock: the classical, eloquent Cooper Clarke, in whom shone forth all the beauties of holi

ness, whose pious lips were "wet with Castalian dews:" Belknap, learned, devout, and unaffected, worthy of being the biographer of Washington: Sumner, the cherished ornament of the commonwealth to these, and many more of your beloved and respected associates you have bidden a sad farewel: they are removed from your pleasant meetings to the cold and silent inansions of the grave. This day you lament the loss of one, who was not indeed an attendant at your literary interviews; but who was still most dear: whose benign and happy influences travelled to their object, unimpeded by distance, like the mild and steady beams of planetary light.

"THOU sleepest the sleep of death, but we are not unmindful of thee O! Achilles: in life and in death, thou art equally the object of our regard and veneration," Thus sang the Grecian bard, to soothe the shade of a hero: with like affectionate reverence, with pious sensibilities, do we cherish thy memory, departed Washington, and pay repeated visits to thy tomb.

IN contemplating a life, whose maturer portion was so singularly splendent, we are naturally prompted to look back to its. commencement. Corresponding to that consistency of character, by which he was distinguished, marks of superiority are imprinted on the very threshold of his days.

In the early dawn of manhood, delicate and important public duties were committed to his charge. Then appeared some of those heroic virtues, that presaged his future greatness. Unshaken fortitude, firm perseverance, and sound discretion. Behold the intrepid messenger pursuing his weary way through a pathless wilderness. The assaults of the savage do not intimidate him the severities of winter do not arrest his progress. He returns in safety and in honor though Gallic artifice strewed his way with thorns: though the waters of the Alleghany had well nigh extinguished his valued life, when their impetuous current rolled over his youthful head.* Illustrious man,

*See bis Journal, published in the Massachusetts Magazine, 1789.