never blind, change, or intimidate him, in the discharge of what he deemed his duty.

His friends, thinking he carried his frankness to excess, ventured, on a particular occasion, to warn him of the danger of being so communicative, when surrounded, as he was surrounded, by political enemies, who might turn against him the arms with which he thus furnished them-" Would to God!" he exclaimed, laying his hand on his bosom, "that there was a window here, through which men might read my every thought!"

Such was the transparency of that character, which was never dimmed, except by mists exhaled from party spirit, or political prejudice.

On this day, the president stood amidst his fellow-citizens, like a father amidst his children; and, by the affability and cordiality of his manner, diffused ease and cheerfulness throughout a circle by whom he was equally beloved and venerated.

Mrs. Mortimer took Louisa's arm within hers, and, followed by Theodore, found a seat, from whence they had a distinct view of all the company. After pointing out the

most distinguished personages, whom she described in her own lively way, she turned to the side where the Indian warriors were sitting in solemn silence, and begged Louisa to look at and admire these "sons of nature," as she denominated them.

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"I really cannot look at them, even here, without a thrill of terror," said Louisa. I wish they had left their tomahawks behind them; do you not see each of the warriors has one in his belt?"

"Yes; and I see, too, they have arms of such huge size and muscular strength, that one stroke from them would level to the ground the stoutest white man in the room. But be not afraid; if they have the strength of the lion, they have likewise the wisdom of the serpent, which can restrain the use of that strength to proper times and places. How like a company of stoics they look! Nothing in their stern bosoms can excite the slightest emotion. One would think their muscles were made of iron, and their flesh of marble; not even a smile, or a frown, indicates their observance of the scene around them."

"I could almost imagine, indeed," said

Louisa, that they were statues; or, at

1

least, that their eyes saw not, their ears heard not, neither could their tongues articulate a word.”

"Yet these now motionless beings,” said Mrs. Mortimer, "are creatures of the most fierce and unconquerable natures, whose bosoms, at this moment, perhaps, are burning with revenge and hatred towards their white brethren, as they call us their oppressors, as they think us, who have robbed them of their possessions, and driven them to other wilds and forests, to seek their home and their sustenance."

"If such be the case," said Mr. Desmond, who had joined them, and was leaning over the back of the sofa, "their system of education must be much more perfect than ours; for I believe the wiliest politician amongst us could not so govern his passions, and hide his emotions."

"If you have read their history, as I suppose you have," observed Mrs. Mortimer, 66 you would find still stronger grounds for that observation. They are not only more fearless than any other race of men-they not only suffer torture with more indifference, hunger and cold with more patience; but they are more faithful to their word,

more unshaken in their constancy, more just in their dealings, more sincere in their hospitality, than any civilized nations. At some more convenient season," continued she, smiling, "I can give you more striking examples of bravery, fortitude, magnanimity, fidelity, and hospitality, than you can easily find parallels to in either ancient or modern history."

"You are really eloquent, Mrs. Mortimer, and would have increased even Rousseau's enthusiasm for the savage state," said Mr. Desmond.

"Did you know them as I know them," exclaimed Mrs. Mortimer, "you would not wonder that I both admire and pity them. I was, as I may say, brought up on their knees, and nursed in their arms. My father's estate lay in that part of New York, where, but a little more than thirty years ago, the remnants of several tribes still dwelt. My father was the red men's friend, and his daughter was dear to them as one of their own children. But," continued she, checking herself, "it moves not only my pity but my ridicule, to see these inhabitants of the wilderness paraded here-treated with mock respect, and, I was going to

add, mock kindness; for, poor souls, what are the beads and gewgaws we give them, compared to the lands we take from them? But hush! who advances next upon the scene? for there is a movement and a murmur, as if some mighty one was coming."

She and Louisa rose as she spoke, and, taking Mr. Desmond's arm, advanced nearer the president, where they could have a better view. The crowd opened, and the French minister, attended by two military and two civil officers in his suite, approached, and made his bow and the compliments of the season, and then joined the other members of the diplomatic corps, who were standing near the president.

"Since I was in France," said Mrs. Mortimer, "I have not seen such a display of gold lace, tinsel, and embroidery; but, dazzling as it is, it cannot blind, or make me forget it is one of the heroes of La Vendee who stands before us; though those sparkling, fierce, black eyes, and those enormous black whiskers, are enough to inspire terror, even unaccompanied by such recollections. But who comes next?"

The company again gave way, and Soli