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was Cincinnatus, in the best days of Roman virtue; and a British poet, already quoted, hath boldly taught his countrymen this noble lesson

"Some, with whom compar'd, your insect-tribes "Are but the beings of a summer's day, "Have held the scale of empire, rul'd the storm "Of mighty war; then, with unweary'd hand, "Disdaining little delicacies, seiz'd

"The plough, and greatly independent liv'd."

THOMSON.

The same noble lesson is also taught, by the well known story of the two Spanish grandees, who were sent ambassadors to the Hague. Notwithstanding all the pride of their nation, they did not despise the Dutch deputies when they met them in a plain habit, and saw them on a journey sit down upon the grass, to a frugal repast of bread and cheese, out of their knapsacks. On the contrary, they cried out, "We "shall never be able to conquer these people; we must “even make peace with them.”

Should ambassadors honour us with a visit, upon a like occasion; let us be prepared to meet them in the same majestic simplicity of garb and manners. Let us convince them that public virtue is confined to no class of men; and that although it sometimes basks in the sunshine of courts, it frequently lies hid in the shades of obscurity, like the latent fire in flint, till, called forth by the collisive hand of oppression.

Adversity is the season which shews the spirit of a man in its full vigor; and times of civil calamity never fail to strike forth lights, sometimes single, and

sometimes whole constellations, mingling their kindred rays to warm and to illuminate the genius of their country.

The sacred flame, thus enkindled, is not fed by the fuel of faction or party; but by pure benevolence and love of the public. It, therefore, soon rises above the selfish principles, refines and brightens as it rises, and expands itself into heavenly dimensions. Being inextinguishable in its own nature, the blood of thousands, on the scaffold or in the field, is but as oil poured into a conflagration, increasing its vehemence, till it' consumes all before it; burning still clearer and stronger, unto the full day of peace and civil happiness.

Those who enjoy a true portion of this divine flame, duly called forth into exercise, stand in no need of further titles or distinctions, either by birth or grant. For what can the world present greater to the sight of mortals, or even immortals, than a man who knows and courts the blessings of peace, who wishes to breathe out his last in its arms; and, keeping it still as his object, is nevertheless roused by the first pang of his suffering country; gives his whole illustrious spirit to her relief; rises above all human allurements; never remits his zeal; fears nothing*; regards nothing-but the sentiments which virtue and magnanimity inspire? What higher qualities can be required to entitle a man to the veneration and eulogies of his country? And these too will be his most durable monument.

• Nikil extimescere; omnia humana despicere; nihil quod homini accidere possit intolerandum putare. Cic.

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The magnificent structures raised by the gratitude of mankind to their benefactors of old, had but a local and temporary use. They were beheld only by one people, and for a few ages

"The Heav'n aspiring pyramid, the proud
"Triumphal arch, and all that e'er upheld
"The worshipp'd name of hoar antiquity
"Are mouldering into dust”.

In vain does the way-faring man investigate the tottering ruins for the divinity once enshrined there! A scanty receptacle, about six feet in length and half the breadth, informs him that it once contained some human dust, long since mingled with the common mass. In vain does the prying antiquary dwell upon the sculpture, or strive to collect and spell the scattered fragments of letters. The inscription is gone -long since gone, effaced, obliterated! And fruitless were the search, through the whole world, for the hero's name, if it were not recorded in the orator's page, or proclaimed by the faithful voice of history.

There it shall live, while the smallest vestiges of literature remain upon earth-yea, till the final dissolution of things human; nor shall it perish then; but, being the immediate care of Heaven, the great archangel, when he sweeps suns and systems from their place, and kindles up their last fires, stretching forth his mighty arm, shall pluck the precious scroll from the devouring conflagration, and give it a place among the archives of eternity.

But whither am I borne? to what heights have I ascended? I look down with astonishment and trem

ble at my situation! Oh! Let your friendly arms be extended to save me as I fall. For in the idea I have of my subject, I have undertaken to guide the chariot of the sun; and how shall I steer through the exalted tract that lies before me? Considering myself as honoured with this day's office by the delegated voice of some millions of people through a vast continent, upon an occasion, wherein their gratitude, their dignity, their love of liberty, nay even their reputation in literature—are all in some degree concerned; what language shall Iuse, or how shall I accommodate myself to every circumstance, in the arduous work?

Truth alone must guide the hand that delineates a character. Should I affect to soar aloft and dip my pencil in the colours of the sky, I should but scorch my own wings, melt their wax, and be precipitated headlong. Nor is the danger less in the other extreme; viz. timidity, or a rein too strait and stiff.

Oh! then, for some better Phoebus, some presiding genius, to guide me through my remaining way; to point out the middle path, and teach me to unite dignity with ease, strength with perspicuity, and truth with the unaffected graces of elocution. Or rather, you shall be my Phoebus, my inspiring as well as presiding genius, ye delegated fathers of your country! So far will I strive to imitate* him, who always animated himself with his subject, by thus accosting himself before he went forth to speak

"Remember, thou art this day going to address men born in the arms of liberty, Grecians, Athen

• Pericles.

ians!"-Let no thought enter thy heart-let no word fall from thy tongue-unworthy of such an audience.

As to that hero, whose memory we are now met to celebrate as a Proto-Martyr to our rights— for through whatever fields I have strayed, he has never escaped my view-as to him, I say, if any thing human could now reach his ear, nothing but the great concerns of virtue, liberty, truth and justice would be tolerable to him; for to these was his life devoted from his early years.

He had received a liberal education in Ireland his native country, before he went into the army; and was indeed endued with talents which would have led him to eminence in any profession. His own he studied with a felicity which soon distinguished his military abilities. But war and conquest having no other charms to him than as the necessary means of peace and happiness to mankind, he still found leisure, in the midst of camps, to cultivate an excellent taste for philosophy and polite literature. To these he added a careful study of the arts of government, and the rights of mankind; looking forward to that time, when he might return into the still scenes of private life; and give a full flow to the native and acquired virtues of a heart rich in moral excellence.

Above eighteen years ago, he had attained the rank of captain in the 17th British regiment, under General Monckton, and stood full in the way of higher preferment; having borne a share in all the

• The author did not intend to appropriate this term so as to forget the merit of Dr. Warren, and other brave men who fell before in the same cause.

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