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7. In his life, fortunate and happy above all other example, without a spot or blemish to mar his private fame, he was covered with glory in his public career; through all the round of action, through all the change and casualty of life, he stood a model and exemplar to the human race. In the purity of his motives, in the nobleness of his designs, and in the extent and success of his course, he stands without a rival or an equal.

8. Without having been bred to the science of war, he assumed the command of our armies, and for seven long years, with every disparity of means, baffled the skill and paralyzed the genius of the most celebrated soldiers. Without experience, he fought like a veteran; nearly without means, he still found resources; and sometimes, almost without an army, he held the enemy at bay by the vigor of his enterprises.

9. This struggle for the mastery was long held in doubt, but the star of his fortune at length prevailed against the ostent of the times. He conquered, not for fame, but for freedom; not for ambition, but for his country. How well and how gently, let the present condition of the happy valleys and sunny mountains of freedom make answer.

10. But not even yet had he filled the full measure of his fame. In the pride of victory, in the flush of success, with a devoted soldiery, accustomed to execute his wishes, instead of stooping to the mean ambition of a tyrant, in ruining his country to elevate himself, he plucked the warrior's plume from his brow, and cast it with the sword at the feet of his country. O! how mean and little are the names of Alexander, of Cæsar, of Napoleon," when seen in the light of such a deed as this!

11. He retired to private life, unambitious of further distinction, and well pleased to escape the din and turmoil of his former days. In the seclusion of his retreat, he cultivated the quiet arts of peace, without a regret for the past or a sigh for the future. But fame found him here. The privacy of

a Cæsar (Julius ;) a Roman general, statesman, and historian. b Napoleon; a distinguished general and emperor of France.

his condition did not obscure its glory, and again his country called him to her aid. The freedom we had won by valor must be preserved by wisdom. Though national independence was secured by the Revolution, our political organization was imperfect.

12. We had the materials of freedom, but not its system; the power of self-government, without being well aware of the best means of using it. We had achieved the privilege of self-government, but history furnished no precedent to aid in its exercise. And we stood a people, free indeed, but wanting the ascertained means of self-preservation. The sages and soldiers of the Revolution, with the illustrious Washington at their head, again came forward to meet the high exigency; they were successful.

13. In a council combining more experience, more patriotism, and more intellectual power, than the history of ages could show, they devised a system of government, unique in its character and original in its design, which has answered the high behests of freedom, and stands a beacon light to all the nations of the earth. A numerous people now repose in peace and happiness beneath its power, encouraging by precept and example the diffusion of the benign principles of liberty.

14. Washington, without his own desire, was placed at the head of the new organization by the voluntary suffrage of the people, and again became charged with the political destiny of his country. He assumed the responsibilities of his new and unprecedented station, and placed himself, by the vigor and wisdom of his policy, upon the most enviable heights of political renown.

15. If his success as a military chieftain had won the admiration of the world, his wisdom as a statesman secured its highest applause. Having given an impulse and direction to the untried institutions of his country, which will influence their destiny through all coming time, he voluntarily left the lofty station he had filled, and closed his career amidst the peace and happiness of that country he had assisted to elevate and redeem.

16. The fabric of his character was then completed; ther was the model, designed by Heaven for the imitation of man kind, brought to its final perfection. Then was the complete idea of freedom exemplified and explained. The mission for which he was sent was accomplished; and the wide earth may now rejoice in the eventful fulfilment of those purposes of liberty to which his life was consecrated.

LESSON XLIX.

GREENOUGH'S WASHINGTON."

TUCKERMAN.

1. THE quarry whence thy form majestic sprung
Has peopled earth with grace,

Heroes and gods that elder bards have sung,
A bright and peerless race.

2. But from its sleeping veins ne'er rose before
A shape of loftier name

Than his who glory's name with meekness wore,
The noblest son of fame.

3. Sheathed is the sword that passion never stained,
His gaze around is cast,

As if the joys of freedom newly gained
Before his vision passed.

4. As if a nation's shout of love and pride
With music filled the air,

And his calm soul was lifted on the tide
Of deep and grateful prayer.

5. As if the crystal mirror of his life

To fancy sweetly came,

a Greenough; an American sculptor of distinction. b The statue of Washington,exe suted by Greenough is of marble, in a sitting posture, and clothed in Roman drapery.

With scenes of patient toil and noble strife,
Undimmed by doubt or shame.

6. As if the lofty purpose of his soul
Expression would betray,

The high resolve ambition to control
And thrust her crown away.

7. O, it was well in marble, firm and white,
To carve our hero's form,

Whose angel guidance was our strength in fight,
Our star amid the storm!

8. And it is well to place his image there
Beneath the dome he blest;

Let meaner spirits, who its councils share,
Revere that silent guest!

9. Let us go up with high and sacred love
To look on his pure brow,

And as with solemn grace he points above,
Renew the patriot's vow.

LESSON L.

DEATH OF NAPOLEON.b

MC'LELLAN.

1. WILD was the night, yet a wilder night
Hung round the soldier's pillow;

-n his bosom there waged a fiercer fight
Than the fight on the wrathful billow.

2. A few fond mourners were leaning by,
The few that his stern heart cherished;

a This statue has recently been placed in the east park of the Capitol at Washington. b Napoleon Bonaparte died of a cancer in the stomach, on the islana of St. Helena, in 1:321.

They knew by his glazed and unearthly eye,
That life had nearly perished.

3. They knew by his awful and kingly look,
By the order hastily spoken,

That he dreamed of days when the nation shook
And the nation's hosts were broken.

4. He dreamed that the Frenchman's sword still slew,
And triumphed the Frenchman's "eagle;"
And the struggling Austrian fled anew,
Like the hare before the beagle.

5. The bearded Russiana he scourged again,
The Prussian's camp was routed,
And again, on the hills of haughty Spain,
His mighty armies shouted.

6. Again Marengo's field was won,
And Jena's bloody battle;

Again the world was overrun,

Made pale at his cannons' rattle.

7. He died at the close of that darksome day,
A day that shall live in story;

In the rocky land they placed his clay,
"And left him alone with his glory."

LESSON LI.

OUR OWN COUNTRY.

1. THERE is no such scenery on earth, I verily believe, as There is but one Niagara in its broad circumference,

ours.

a Pronounced Rooʻshe an, or Rush'e-an; but, by the poets, usually in two syllables. b Proo'she-an, or Prush'e-an; but, by the poets, usually in two syllables. c Mar-en' go; a village in the north of Italy, famous for the victory of Napoleon over the Austrians, in 1800. d Jen'a; a town of Germany, celebrated for the victory of the French over the Prussians, in 1806.

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