heartened by the most complicated difficulties, any more than to be spoilt on the giddy heights of fortune-such was this great mangreat, pre-eminently great, whether we regard him sustaining alone the whole weight of campaigns all but desperate, or gloriously terminating a just warfare by his resources and his courage-presiding over the jarring elements of his political council, alike deaf to the storms of all extremes*. -or directing the formation of a new government for a great people, the first time that so vast an experiment had ever been tried by man-or finally retiring from the supreme power to which his virtue had raised him over the nation he had created, and whose destinies he had guided as long as his aid was required—retiring with the veneration of all parties, of all nations, of all mankind, in order that the rights of men might be conserved, and that his example never might be appealed to by vulgar tyrants. This is the consummate glory of Washington; a triumphant warrior where the most sanguine had a right to despair; a successful ruler in all the difficulties of a course wholly untried; but a warrior, whose sword only left its sheath when the first law of our nature commanded it to be drawn; and a ruler who, having tasted of supreme power, gently and unostentatiously desired that the cup might pass from him, nor would suffer more to wet his

"The success of America was owing, next to the errors of her adversaries, to the conduct and character of General Washington. In him were united the purity of the most disinterested patriotism with all the energy of the most stirring ambition; the utmost reluctance to engage in the contest, with the firmest will never to abandon it when begun; the most intrepid devotion of his life and his same in hazardous attacks, with the calmest judgment in all matters political and military. The dissensions of Congress, the envy of rivals, the apathy of his troops, the calumnies of his enemies, neither excited him to rashness, nor stopped him in his career."-Lord John RusSEL: Memorials and Correspondence of Charles James Fox, Vol. I, 1853.-Ed. Y

lips than the most solemn and sacred duty to his Country and his God required!

To his latest breath did this great patriot maintain the noble character of a Captain the patron of Peace, and a Statesman the friend of Justice. Dying he bequeathed to his heirs the sword which he had worn in the War of Liberty, and charged them "Never to take it from the scabbard but in self-defence, or in defence of their country and her freedom; and commanding them, that when it should thus be drawn, they should never sheath it nor ever give it up, but prefer falling with it in their hands to the relinquishment thereof"-words, the majesty and simple eloquence of which are not surpassed in the oratory of Athens and Rome.

It will be the duty of the Historian and the Sage in all ages to let no occasion pass of commemorating this illustrious man; and until time shall be no more will a test of the progress which our race has made in wisdom and in virtue be derived from the veneration paid to the immortal name of Washington!

HENRY, LORD BROUGHAM, was born in Edinburgh, September 19, 1778, and died at Cannes, France, May 7, 1868. He studied law at Edinburgh, and in company with Jeffrey, Horner, and Sydney Smith, helped to start the Edinburgh Review, to which he contributed for a quarter of a century. He was called to the English bar in 1808, entered parliament in 1810, was raised to the peerage in 1830, and was Lord High Chancellor for four years, 1830 -34. Conspicuous in public affairs during the greater portion of his life, the vigor of his intellect, his energy, his eloquence, and his attachment to and services in the cause of freedom, progress and humanity, have caused him to be classed as one of the most illustrious and extraordinary men of his age and country. Of his numerous writings, the "Sketches of the Statesmen of the time of George III," 3 vols., 8vo, London, 1839, are considered the best. Our quotation is the conclusion of the sketch entitled, Napoleon-Washington, in Vol. II, portions of which, originally appeared in the Edinburgh Review, October, 1838.

COUNT DUMAS.

1839.

GENERAL WASHINGTON, accompanied by the Marquis de la Fayette, repaired in person to the French headquarters. We had been impatient to see the hero of liberty. His dignified address, his simplicity of manners, and mild gravity, surpassed our expectation, and won every heart. After having conferred with Count Rochambeau, as he was leaving us to return to his headquarters near West Point, I received the welcome order to accompany him as far as Providence. We arrived there at night; the whole of the population had assembled from the suburbs, we were surrounded by a crowd of children carrying torches, reiterating the acclamations of the citizens; all were eager to approach the person of him whom they called their father, and pressed so closely around us that they hindered us from proceeding. General Washington was much affected, stopped a few moments, and pressing my hand, said, "We may be beaten by the English; it is the chance of war; but behold an army which they can never conquer." * *

*

As soon as General Washington was informed of the expedition of Arnold, and of the danger which threatened Virginia, he proposed to Count de Rochambeau to carry immediate succors thither, and to attack the traitor in the post where he had entrenched himself. It was on occasion of the discussions which the two commanders-in-chief had on this subject that I was despatched by General Rochambeau to Gen

eral Washington, whose head-quarters were then at New Windsor, on the right bank of the Hudson, three leagues above West Point. He had with him only the Marquis de la Fayette and their respective aidsde-camp. His army was in barracks or cantonments five or six leagues further off, on the road to Philadelphia. The garrison of West Point consisted of 2000 continental troops.

I here interrupt the succinct narrative of the most remarkable events of the winter of 1781, to recall the impressions which I received during the short stay that I made in the family of the deliverer of America. The brilliant actions of great men cannot fail to be recalled by history; the anecdotes of their private life are equally worthy of being preserved because they often make us better acquainted with the principal traits of their character. The General gave me a most cordial reception. He appeared to be highly satisfied with the despatches which I delivered to him, in the presence of M. de la Fayette, Colonel Hamilton, his aid-de-camp, and Colonel Humphries, who performed the duties of chief of the staff. He withdrew to confer with them. Being invited to dinner, which was remarkably plain, I had leisure to admire the perfect harmony of his noble and fine countenance, with the simplicity of his language and the justice and depth of his observations. He generally sat long at table, and animated the conversation by unaffected cheerfulness. Much was said of the treachery of Arnold, of the firmness and moderation with which the General had just suppressed the insubordination of the troops of the State of Pennsylvania, and lastly of the situation of Virginia, of the marches and counter-marches of Lord Cornwallis. I was particularly struck with the marks of affection which the General showed to his pupil, his

adopted son, the Marquis de la Fayette. Seated opposite to him, he looked at him with pleasure, and listened to him with manifest interest. One of the company, (if I remember rightly, it was, I think, Colonel Hamilton, who was afterwards so unfortunately and so prematurely snatched from the hopes of his country,) related the manner in which the General had received a despatch from Sir Henry Clinton, addressed to Mr. Washington. Taking it from the hands of the flag of truce, and seeing the direction, "This letter," said he, "is directed to a planter of the State of Virginia. I shall have it delivered to him, after the end of the war; till that time it shall not be opened." A second despatch was addressed to his Excellency General Washington.

On the following day General Washington was to go to West Point, and allowed me to accompany him. Count de Charlus, who had just arrived to pay his respects to the General, and to spend some days with his friend M. de la Fayette, was likewise of the party. By rather difficult paths, we passed the mountain, at the other side of which is the plateau, surrounded by steep eminences, where block houses had been built and strong batteries had been erected, to bar the course of the river by the aid of the bend, caused by the projection of the promontory. After having visited the forts and reviewed the garrison, as the day was declining, and we were going to mount our horses, the General perceived that M. de la Fayette, in consequence of his old wound, was very much fatigued. "It will be better," said he, "to return by water; the tide will assist us in ascending against the stream." A boat was soon manned with good rowers, and we embarked. The cold became excessive; we had to make our way between the large flakes of ice which the river brought down. A