purest means, he had the supreme satisfaction of beholding the complete success of his great military and civil services, in the independence and happiness of his country.

AARON BANCROFT, D.D., a Unitarian minister, was born at Reading, Mass., November 10th, 1755, and graduated at Harvard College in 1778. He was a volunteer at Lexington and Bunker Hill, and although his studies were much interrupted by the Revolution, became one of the most accomplished scholars of the country. After spending some time in teaching, he studied theology, was licensed to preach, and spent three years as a missionary in Yarmouth, N. S. He afterwards (1786), settled in Worcester, Mass., where he died August 19th, 1839. His "Essay on the Life of George Washington, Commander in Chief of the American Army, through the Revolutionary War; and the first President of the United States," from which we make the above extract, was published at Worcester, in 1807. 8vo. It was reprinted in London by Stockdale in 1808, and several American editions have appeared. Dr. Bancroft also delivered, “An Eulogy on the character of the late Gen. George Washington, before the inhabitants of the town of Worcester, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on Saturday, the 22d of February, 1800." 8vo, pp. 21, Worcester, 1800. From this we make the following quotation: "In other countries, individuals have been illustrious as Heroes and Statesmen. The talents which immortalized their respective names were united in our American Alfred; and he was free from the vices and weaknesses, which were the shades of their characters. In him were combined the most excellent qualities of man; and in his life appeared an assemblage of the noblest virtues of humanity. His life was one stream of light,' and the shadow of night rests not upon it. The picture of man in him was perfect, and there is no blot to tarnish its brightness. His character we must all contemplate with supreme delight: In it we view the dignity of our nature; and the glory of our race. As an American character, we may all exult in it, as the ornament of our nation and the honor of our age. As the Patriot, whose exalted talents and pre-eminent endowments were devoted to our country, we feel the obligations of public gratitude—we are melted to emotions of tenderness-we are disposed to express every mark of admiration and respect."

DAVID RAMSAY.

1807.

THE person of George Washington was uncommonly tall. Mountain air, abundant exercise in the open country, the wholesome toils of the chase, and the delightful scenes of rural life, expanded his limbs to an unusual, but graceful and well-proportioned size. His exterior suggested to every beholder the idea of strength, united with manly gracefulness. His form was noble, and his port majestic. No man could approach him but with respect. His frame was robust, his constitution vigorous, and he was capable of enduring great fatigue. His passions were naturally strong; with them was his first contest, and over them his first victory. Before he undertook to command others, he had thoroughly learned to command himself. The powers of his mind were more solid than brilliant. Judgment was his forte.* To vivacity, wit, and the sallies of a lively imagination, he made no pretensions. His faculties resembled those of Aristotle, Bacon, Locke, and Newton; but were very unlike those of Voltaire.

Possessed of a

large proportion of common sense, directed by a sound practical judgment, he was better fitted for the exalted stations to which he was. called, than many others, who, to a greater brilliancy of parts, frequently add the eccentricities of genius.

* Compare John Marshall, page 143.-ED.

Truth and utility were his objects. He steadily pursued, and generally attained them. With this view he thought much, and closely examined every subject on which he was to decide, in all its relations. Neither passion, party spirit, pride, prejudice, ambition, nor interest, influenced his deliberations. In making up his mind on great occasions, many of which occurred in which the fate of the army or nation seemed involved, he sought for information from all quarters, revolved the subject by night and by day,* and examined it in every point of view. Guided by these lights, and influenced by an honest and good heart, he was imperceptibly led to decisions which were wise and judicious. Perhaps no man ever lived who was so often called upon to form a judgment in cases of real difficulty, and who so often formed a right one. Engaged in the busy scenes of life, he knew human nature, and the most proper methods of accomplishing proposed objects. Of a thousand propositions he knew to distinguish the best, and to select among a thousand the individual most fitted for his purpose.

As a military man, he possessed personal courage, and a firmness which neither danger nor difficulties could shake. His perseverance overcame every obstacle; his moderation conciliated all opposition; his genius supplied every resource. He knew how to conquer by delay, and deserved true praise by despising unmerited censure. Inferior to his adversary in the numbers, the equipment, and discipline of

* In a letter to Gen. Knox, written after the termination of the revolutionary war, Washington observed-"Strange as it may seem, it is nevertheless true, that it was not until lately I could get the better of my usual custom of ruminating as soon as I awoke in the morning, on the business of the ensuing day; and of my surprise at finding, after revolving many things in my mind, that I was no longer a public man, or had any thing to do with public transactions."

his troops, no great advantage was ever obtained over him, and no opportunity to strike an important blow was ever neglected.* In the most ardent moments of the contest, his prudent firmness proved the salvation of his country.

The whole range of history does not present a character on which we can dwell with such entire unmixed admiration. His qualities were so happily blended, and so nicely harmonized, that the result was a great and perfect whole.†

The integrity of Washington was incorruptible. His principles were free from the contamination of selfish and unworthy passions. His real and avowed motives were the same. His ends were always upright, and his means pure. He was a statesman without guile, and his professions, both to his fellow-citizens and to foreign nations, were always sincere. No circumstances ever induced him to use duplicity. He was an example of the distinction which exists between wisdom and cunning; and his manly, open conduct, was an illustration of the soundness of the maxim-"that honesty is the best policy."

The learning of Washington was of a particular kind. He overstepped the tedious forms of the schools, and by the force of a correct taste and sound judgment, seized on the great ends of learning, without the assistance of those means which have been contrived to prepare less active minds for public business. By a careful study of the English language; by reading good models of fine writing, and above all, by the aid of a vigorous mind, he made himself master of a pure, elegant, and classical style. His composition was all nerve; full of correct and

* John Marshall, page 143.-ED.

† London Courier, page 85.-ED.

W

manly ideas, which were expressed in precise and forcible language. His answers to the innumerable addresses which on all public occasions poured in upon him, were promptly made, handsomely expressed, and always contained something appropriate. His letters to Congress; his addresses to that body on the acceptance and resignation of his commission; his general orders as Commander in Chief; his speeches and messages as President; and above all, his two farewell addresses to the people of the United States, will remain lasting monuments of the goodness of his heart, of the wisdom of his head, and of the eloquence of his pen.

The powers of his mind were in some respects peculiar.

He was a great, practical, self-taught genius; with a head to devise, and a hand to execute, projects of the first magnitude and greatest utility.

There are few men of any kind, and still fewer of those the world calls great, who have not some of their virtues eclipsed by corresponding vices. But this was not the case with General Washington. He had religion without austerity, dignity without pride, modesty without diffidence, courage without rashness, politeness without affectation, affability without familiarity. His private character, as well as his public one, will bear the strictest scrutiny. He was punctual in all his engagements; upright and honest in his dealings; temperate in his enjoyments; liberal and hospitable to an eminent degree; a lover of order; systematical and methodical in all his arrangements. He was the friend of morality and religion; steadily attended on public worship; encouraged and strengthened the hands of the clergy. In all his public acts, he made the most respectful mention of Providence; and, in a word, carried the spirit of piety with him both in his private life and public administration. *