WHAT is it that preserves the morals of young men unsoiled, and secures the blessings of unblemished character and unbroken health? What, but snow-robed industry? See Washington under the guardianship of industry, walking the slippery paths of youth, safe and uncorrupted, though born in a country whose fertility and climate furnished both the means and invitation to vice. Early smitten with the love of glory; early engaged in the noble pursuit of knowledge, of independence, and of usefulness; he had no eyes to see bad examples nor ensnaring objects; no ears to hear horrid oaths, nor obscene language; no leisure for impure passions nor criminal amours. Hence he enjoyed that purity of soul, which is rightly called its sunshine; and which impressed a dignity on his character, and gave him a beauty and loveliness in the eyes of men, that contributed more to his rise in the world, than young people can rea dilyconcevie.

po

AND what is it that raises a young man from verty to wealth, from obscurity to never-dying fame? What, but industry? See Washington, born of hum

ble

parents, and in humble circumstances-born in a narrow nook and obscure corner of the British plantations! yet lo! What great things wonder-working industry can bring out of this unpromising Nazareth. While but a youth, he manifested such a noble contempt of sloth, such a manly spirit to be always learning or doing something useful or clever, that he was the praise of all who knew him. And, though but 15, so high were the hopes entertained of him, he was appointed a surveyor! arduous task! But his industry was a full match for it. Such was the alertness with which he carried on his surveys; such the neatness and accuracy of his plats and drafts, that he met with universal applause. Full-fed and flushed with so much fare of praise, a fare of all others the most toothsome and wholesome to generous minds, our young eagle began to flap his wings of honest ambition, and to pant for nobler darings. A

fair occasion was soon offered-a dangerous expedition through the Indian wilds, as already mentioned, to the French Mamelukes on the Ohio. Nobody else having ambition for such an adventure, Washington's offer was gladly accepted. And he executed that hazardous and important trust with such diligence and propriety, that he received the thanks of the governor and council. Honours came down on him now in showers. He was appointed major and adjutantgeneral of the Virginia forces; then a colonel; afterwards a member of the house of burgesses; next, generalissimo of the armies of the United States; and, finally, chief magistrate of the Union. All these floods of prosperity and honour, which in thousands would have but served to bloat with lust or pride, with him served but the more to rouse his industry, and to enlarge his usefulness; for such was his economy of time, and so admirable his method and regularity of business, that he always kept a-head of it. No letters of consequence were unanswered. No reasonable expectations were disappointed. No necessary information was ever neglected. Neither the congress, nor the governors of the several states, nor the officers of his army, nor the British generals, nor even the overseers and stewards on his farms, were uninformed whathe expected from them. Nobody concerned with him was idle or fretted for want of knowing what to do.

* He was taken ill on Friday. An intimate friend asked him if he wished to have any thing done on the arrangement of his temporal affairs. He shook his head, and replied, "No, I thank you; for my books "are all posted to Tuesday!" That industry and method must be truly astonishing, which in the management of possessions so vast and complicated as his, kept every thing so harmoniously adjusted, as to be ready, at a moment's warning, to leave the world for ever without a wish to alter a tittle.

O ADMIRABLE MAN! O great preceptor to his country! no wonder every body honoured him who honoured every body; for the poorest beggar that wrote to him on business, was sure to receive a speedy and decisive answer. No wonder every body loved him, who, by his unwearied attention to the public good, manifested the tenderest love for every body. No wonder that his country delighted to honour him, who shewed such a sense of her honours that he would not allow even a leaf of them to wither; but so watered them all with the refreshing streams of industry, that they continued to bloom with ever-increasing glory on his head.

SINCE the day that God created man on the earth, none ever displayed the power of industry more signally than did George Washington. Had he, as prince of Wales, or as dauphin of France, rendered such great services, or attained such immortal honours, it would not have seemed so marvellous in our eyes. But that a poor young man with neither king, lords, nor commons to back him-with no princes, nor strumpets of princes, to curry favour for him with no gold but his virtue, no silver but his industry, should, with this old-fashioned coin, have stolen away the hearts of all the American Israel, and from a sheep-cot have ascended the throne of his country's affections, and acquired a name above the mighty ones of the earth! this is marvellous indeed! It is surely the noblest panegyric ever yet paid to that great virtue, industry, which has "length of days in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honours."

YOUNG READER! go thy way; think of Washington; and HOPE. Though humble thy birth, low thy fortune, and few thy friends, still think of Washington; and HOPE. Like him, honour thy God; and delight in glorious toil. Then, like him, "thou shalt "stand before kings. Thou shalt not stand before "common men."

CHAPTER XVI.

CHAR

WASHINGTON'S CHARACTER CONTINUED.

HIS PATRIOTISM.

"O eternal King of men and angels, elevate our minds! each low and partial passion thence dispel! till this great truth in every heart be known, that none but those who aid the public cause, can shield their country or themselves from chains."

LEONIDAS.

IN this grand republican virtue, we can with pleasure compare our Washington with the greatest worthies of ancient or modern times.

THE patriotism of the Roman emperor, Alexander, has been celebrated through all ages, because he was never known to give any place through favour or friendship; but employed those only whom he believed to be best qualified to serve his country. In our Washington we meet this great and honest emperor again. For, in choosing men to serve his country, Washington knew no recommendation but merithad no favourie but worth. No relations, however near-no friends, however dear-stood any chance for places under him, provided he knew men better qualified. Respecting such men, he never troubled himself to enquire, whether they were foreigners or natives, federalists or democrats. Some of the young officers of his native state, on hearing that colonel Washington was made COMMANDER IN CHIEF, were prodigiously pleased, expecting to be made field officers immediately. But in this they were so utterly mistaken, that some of them have foolishly said, "it was a misfortune to be a Virginian." Indeed, his great soul was so truly republican, that, "]

during the whole of his administration, he was never known to advance an individual of his own name and family.

THE British, with good reason, admire and extol admiral Blake as one of the bravest and best of patriots; because, though he disliked Oliver Cromwell, yet he fought gallantly under him; and, with his dying breath, exhorted his men, "to love their country as a common mother; and, no matter what hands the government might fall into, to fight for her like good children."

Or the same noble spirit was Washington. Often was he called to obey men greatly his inferiors, and to execute orders which he entirely disapproved. But he was never known to falter. Sensible of the infinite importance of union and order to the good of his country, he ever yielded a prompt obedience to her delegated will. And, not content with setting us, through life, so fair an example, he leaves us at his death, this blessed advice: "Your government claims your utmost confidence and support. RESPECT for its AUTHORITY, compliance with its laws, acquiescence in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of TRUE LIBERTY. The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and alter their constitutions of government. But the constitution, which at any time exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is SACREDLY OBLIGATORY UPON ALL.'

HISTORY has lavished its choicest praises on those magnanimous patriots, who, in their wars for liberty and their country, have cheerfully sacrificed their own wealth to defeat the common enemy.

EQUAL to this was the spirit of Washington. For, during the war, while he was with the army to the north, a British frigate came up the Potomac, to Mount Vernon; and threatened to lay the place in ashes, if provisions were not instantly sent on board. To save that venerable mansion, the manager sent aboard the requisite supplies. On hearing the mat