CLAUDE C. ROBIN.

1781.

I HAVE seen General Washington, that most singular man-the soul and support of one of the greatest revolutions that has ever happened, or can happen. I fixed my eyes upon him with that keen attention which the sight of a great man always inspires. We naturally entertain a secret hope of discovering in the features of such illustrious persons some traces of that excellent genius which distinguishes them from, and elevates them above their fellow mortals.

Perhaps the exterior of no man was better calculated to gratify these expectations than that of General Washington. He is of a tall and noble stature, well proportioned, a fine, cheerful, open countenance, a simple and modest carriage; and his whole mien has something in it that interests the French, the Americans, and even enemies themselves in his favor. Placed in a military view, at the head of a nation where each individual has a share in the supreme legislative authority, and where coercive laws are yet in a great degree destitute of vigor, where the climate and manners can add but little to their energy, where the spirit of party, private interest, slowness and national indolence, slacken, suspend and overthrow the best concerted measures; although so situated, he has found out a method of keeping his troops in the most absolute subordination; making them rivals in praising him; fearing him even when he is silent, and retaining their full confi

dence in him after defeats and disgrace. His reputation has, at length, arisen to a most brilliant height; and he may now grasp at the most unbounded power, without provoking envy or exciting suspicion. He has ever shown himself superior to fortune, and in the most trying adversity has discovered resources till then unknown; and, as if his abilities only increased and dilated at the prospect of difficulty, he is never better supplied than when he seems destitute of every thing, nor have his arms ever been so fatal to his enemies, as at the very instant when they had thought they had crushed him for ever. It is his to excite a spirit of heroism and enthusiasm in a people, who are by nature very little susceptible of it; to gain over the respect and homage of those whose interest it is to refuse it, and to execute his plans and projects by means unknown even to those who are his instruments; he is intrepid in dangers, yet never seeks them but when the good of his country demands it, preferring rather to temporize and act upon the defensive, because he knows such a mode of conduct best suits the genius and circumstances of the nation, and that all he and they have to expect, depends upon time, fortitude, and patience: he is frugal and sober in regard to himself, but profuse in the public cause; like Peter the Great, he has by defeats conducted his army to victory; and like Fabius, but with fewer resources and more difficulty, he has conquered without fighting, and saved his country.

Such are the ideas that arise in the mind, at the sight of this great man, in examining the events in which he had a share, or in listening to those whose duty obliges them to be near his person, and consequently best display his character. In all these extensive states they consider him in the light of a beneficent God, dispensing peace

and happiness around him. Old men, women, and children, press about him when he accidentally passes along, and think themselves happy, once in their lives, to have seen him—they follow him through the towns with torches, and celebrate his arrival by public illuminations. The Americans, that cool and sedate people, who in the midst of their most trying difficulties, have attended only to the directions and impulses of plain method and common sense, are roused, animated, and inflamed at the very mention of his name: and the first songs that sentiment or gratitude has dictated, have been to celebrate General Washington.

ABBÉ ROBIN, one of the chaplains to the French army in America, wrote while in this country, a series of thirteen letters, which were published at Paris, in 1782, and afterwards translated and published at Philadelphia, in 1783, with the title "New Travels through North America, in a series of letters exhibiting the history of the victorious campaign of the allied armies under his Excellency Gen. Washington, and the Count de Rochambeau, in the year 1781." 8vo. The Abbé arrived at Boston in June (1781), and joined the French troops at Providence, the two armies uniting at Philipsburg (near Dobbs' Ferry N. Y.) the following month. The letter from which our extract is made, is dated "Camp at Philipsburg, August 4, 1781." The letters, covering as they do one of the most important military movements of the war, the march to Yorktown, and the siege and final surrender of the British army, make the volume a valuable contemporary record, while apart from our quotation, the remarks of the writer upon the genius, temper, and customs of the people, are extremely interesting.

PRINCE DE BROGLIE.

1782.

GENERAL WASHINGTON is now about forty-nine years of age. He is tall, nobly built and very well proportioned. His face is much more agreeable than represented in his portrait. He must have been much handsomer three years ago, and although the gentlemen who have remained with him during all that time say that he seems to have grown much older, it is not to be denied that the General is still as fresh and active as a young man.

His physiognomy is mild and open. His accost is cold although polite. His pensive eyes seem more attentive than sparkling; but their expression is benevolent, noble, and self-possessed. In his private conduct, he preserves that polite and attentive good breeding which satisfies everybody, and that dignified reserve which offends no one. He is a foe to ostentation and to vain-glory. His temper is always even. He has never testified the least humor. Modest even

to humility, he does not seem to estimate himself at his true worth. He receives with perfect grace all the homages which are paid him, but he evades them rather than seeks them. His company is agreeable and winning. Always serious, never abstracted, always simple, always easy and affable without being familiar, the respect which he inspires is never oppressive. He speaks but little in general, and that in a subdued tone, but he is so attentive to what is said to him,

that being satisfied he understands you perfectly, one is disposed to dispense with an answer. This behaviour has been very useful to him Nobody has greater necessity than he to act

on numerous occasions.

with circumspection, and to carefully weigh his words.

To an unalterable tranquility of soul he joins a most exact judgment, and the utmost with which he has been reproached is a little tardiness in his determination and even in the execution of his decisions, when once he has made them.

His courage is calm and brilliant, but to appreciate in a satisfactory manner the real extent of his talents and his ability as a great and warlike captain, I think one should have seen him at the head of a greater army, with greater means than he has had, and opposed to an enemy less his superior.

At least one cannot fail to give him the title of an excellent patriot, of a wise and virtuous man, and one is in fact tempted to ascribe to him all good qualities, even those that circumstances have not yet permitted him to develop.

Mr. Washington's first military services were against the French in the War for Canada. He had no opportunity for distinguishing himself, and after the defeat of Braddock, the war having crossed the river St. Lawrence, and the Virginia militia of which he was Colonel having been sent home, he was not kept in active service; whereupon he retired to his plantation where he lived like a philosopher.

His estate was quite distant from the seat of the English government, the real hot-bed of the insurrection; and his wise character witheld him still further from mixing in its movements, so that he had but little share in the first troubles.