and sober in regard to himself, but profuse in the public cause; like Peter the Great, he has by defeats conducted his army to victory; and like Fabius, but with fewer resources and more difficulty, he has conquered without fighting, and saved his country. Such are the ideas that arise in the mind, at the sight of this great man, in examining the events in which he has had a share, or in listening to those whose duty obliges them to be near his person, and consequently best display his true character. In all these extensive states they consider him in the light of a beneficent God, dispensing peace and happiness around him. Old men, women, and children, press about him when he accidentally passes along, and think themselves happy, once in their lives, to have seen him — they follow him through the towns with torches, and celebrate his arrival by public illuminations. The Americans, that cool and sedate people, who in the midst of their most trying difficulties, have attended only to the directions and impulses of plain method and common reason, are roused, animated, and inflamed at the very mention of his name: and the first songs that sentiment or gratitude has dictated, have been to celebrate General Washington."

JOSEPH MANDRILLON, a French merchant and man of letters, established at Amsterdam, whence he made a voyage to this country, has the following in his Spectateur Americain, published in 1784: "Why did I not receive from nature the genius and eloquence of the celebrated orators of Greece and Rome? Oh that I could but for a moment snatch their pencils to trace rapidly the picture of the greatest man that America has ever produced, and one of the most celebrated that ever existed! With what energy, with what enthusiasm would I not speak of his brilliant virtues! who is the man that would be jealous of the homage I pay him? who is the man that would tax me with flattery? We are no longer in those barbarous ages in which men offered incense to tyrants, in which they dared to give the name of hero to men addicted to every vice, and whom they dreaded too much to offend. We are no longer in those ages when cruel sovereigns had mercenary writers to palliate their crimes, and to praise them for virtues they did not possess. Our more enlightened age presents to us in history sovereigns and men as they really were; truth is its character. The public veneration for General Washington is the precious fruit of the severest examination of his conduct. Jealous of his glory and the approbation of his contemporaries, he enjoys them without arrogance and without presumption; and if he does himself the justice to believe that he merits his celebrity, he likewise knows that posterity, which raises and demolishes statues, will never injure the trophies erected to his memory. The hand of a barbarian only, who cannot read, or a savage ignorant of history, with the stroke of a hatchet would break his statue, supposing it to be that of a despot. But when from the ruins of the inscription they shall collect the name of Washington, the chief of these barbarians or savages, instructed by tradition of the American revolution, will be avenged for the outrageous attempt, and cause the monument to be repaired. On its base will be read, ignorance had overthrown it, and justice again raised it up: mortals revere his memory! Having been the soul aud support of one of the greatest events of the age, it is but just that Washington should pass his days without a cloud, in the bosom of repose, of honor and public veneration. Nature sometimes places the soul of an hero in a feeble body; but when we speak of the brilliant actions of a man whose features and stature we are ignorant of, we are inclined to paint him as endowed with every valuable gift of nature, and please ourselves with believing that his features bear the image of that genius which elevates him above his fellow men. No person is better calculated to maintain this opinion than Washington. A proper size, noble and well proportioned, an open countenance, soft and sedate, but without any one striking feature, and when you depart from him, the remembrance only of a fine man will remain; a fine figure, an exterior plain and modest, a dignity insinuating, and firm without severity, a manly boldness, an uncommon penetration to seize the whole of things submitted to his judgment, and a complete experience in war and politics; equally useful in the cabinet and in the field of Mars, the idol of his country, the admiration of the enemy he has fought and vanquished; modest in victory, great in the reverse. Why do I say reverse? very far from being sabdued he has made every misfortune contribute to his success. He knows to obey as well as to command, he never made use of his power or the submission of his army to derogate from the authority of his country or to disobey its commands. With a perfect knowledge of man, he knew how to govern freemen in peace, and by his example, his activity, his energy, be taught them to love glory and danger, and to despise the inclemency of the climate and the rigors of winter. The soldier, jealous of his praises, feared even his silence; never was general better served and obeyed. More thoughtful of his country's glory than his own, he never trusted to chance; his operations marked by prudence, had always the preservation of his country for their sole object; he appeared unwilling to possess glory but from her alone; his maxim was always to gain time, to act on the defence, and without attacking his enemies in front he knew how to harass them, to exhaust their forces by excursions, by surprises of which a great man only can value the utility. Like Camillus he forsook the charms of rural life and flew to the assistance of his country; like Fabius ne saved it by procrastinating; like Peter the Great he triumphed over his enemies by the experience acquired by misfortune. There is not a man, not a monarch in Europe who would not envy the glory of having acted such a part as Washington. It is said the king of Prussia sent him a sword with only this direction, The oldest general of the old world to the greatest general of the new. If ever mortal fully enjoyed his reputation during his own lifetime, if ever a citizen found in his own country a recompense for his services and abilities, it is this hero; every where entertained, admired, caressed, he every where meets hearts eager to render him homage; if he enters a town, or If he passes through a village, old and young men, women and children, all follow him with acclamations; all load him with blessings; in every heert he has a temple consecrated to respect and friendship. How I am delighted with representing to myself the French general,* equally the idol and the hero of his army, saying at table as he sat near Washington, that he had never known what true glory was, nor a truly great man, until he became acquainted with him. When America, everthrown by the dreadful revolutions of nature, shall no longer exist, it will be remembered of Washington, that he was the defender of liberty, the friend of man, and the avenger of an oppressed people."

• The Alarshal Count de Rochambeau,

The celebrated Italian poet, ALFIERI, in 1788 addressed his tragedy of The First Brutus “to the most illustrious and free citizen, General Washington," as follows:

"The name of the deliverer of America alone can stand on the title-page of the tragedy of the deliverer of Rome. To you, excellent and most rare citizen, I therefore dedicate this, without first hinting at a part of the so many praises due to yourself, which I now deem all comprehended in the sole mention of your name. Nor can this my slight allusion to you appear to you contaminated by adulation, since, not knowing you in person, and living disjoined from you by the immense ocean, we have but too emphatically nothing between us in common but the love of glory. Happy are you, who have been able to build your glory on the sublime and eternal basis of love to your country, demonstrated by actions! I, though not born free, yet having abandoned in time my lares, and for no other reason than that I might write loftily of liberty, hope by this means at least to have proved what might have been my love for my country if I had indeed fortunately belonged to one that deserved the title. In this single respect, I do not think myself wholly unworthy to mingle my name with yours."

CHARLES JAMES Fox said in the British Parliament on the thirty-first of January, 1794: "Illustrious man! deriving honor less from the splendor of his situation than from the dignity of his mind! before whom all borrowed greatness sinks into insignificance!.... I cannot, indeed, help admiring the wisdom and fortune of this great man; by the phrase 'fortune' I mean not in the slightest degree to derogate from his merit; but notwithstanding his extraordinary talents and exalted integrity, it must be considered as singularly fortunate that he should have experienced a lot which so seldom falls to the portion of humanity, and have passed through such a variety of scenes without stain and without reproach. It must indeed create astonishment that, placed in circumstances so critical and filling for a series of years a station so conspicuous, his character should never once have been called in question; that he should in no one instance have been accused either of improper insolence or of mean submission, in his transactions with foreign nations. For him it has been reserved to run the race of glory without experiencing the smallest interruption to the brilliancy of his career."

In 1795, Mr. ERSKINE, afterward Lord Erskine, called Washington's attention to a passage in the work he had then just written on the Causes and Consequences of the War with France, in a letter in which he says:

"I have taken the liberty to introduce your august and immortal name in a short sentence which will be found in the book I send you. I have a large acquaintance among the most valuable and exalted classes of men; but you are the only human being for whom I ever felt an awful reverence. I sincerely pray God to grant you a long and serene evening to a life so gloriously devoted to the universal happiness of the world."

II.

WASHINGTON'S "RULES OF CIVILITY AND DECENT BEHAVIOR IN COMPANY."

AMONG the earlier writings of Washington Mr. Sparks preserves a series of directions as to personal conduct, and remarks, very justly, that whoever has studied the character of Washington will be persuaded that some of its most prominent features took their shape from the rules which he thus early selected and adopted as his guide.

1. Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

2. In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet.

3. Speak not when others speak, sit not when others stand, and walk not when others stop.

4 Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes, lean not on any one.

5. Be no flatterer, neither play with any one that delights not to be played with.

6. Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for doing it, you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of any one so as to read them, unasked; also, look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

7. Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.

8. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

9. They that are in dignity or office have in all places precedency; but whilst they are young, they ought to respect those that are their equals in birth or other qualities, though they have no public charge.

10. It is good manners to prefer them to whom we speak before ourselves, especially if they be above us, with whom, in no sort, we ought to begin.

11. Let your discourse with men of business be short and comprehensive.

12. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician, if you be not knowing therein.

13. In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place

14. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

15. Undertake not to teach your equal in the art himself professes; it savors of arrogancy.

16. When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.

17. Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in public or in private, presently or at some other time, also in what terms to do it; and in reproving, show no signs of choler, but do it with sweetness and mildness.

18. Mock not, nor jest at any thing of importance; break no jests that are sharp or biting, and if you deliver any hing witty or pleasant, abstain from laughing thereat yourself.

19. Wherein you reprove another be unblamable yourself, for example is more prevalent than precept.

20. Use no reproachful language against any one, neither curses nor revilings.

21. Be not hasty to believe flying reports, to the disparagement of any one.

22. In your apparel be modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature rather than procure admiration. Keep to the fashion of your equals, such as are civil and orderly with respect to time and place.

23. Play not the peacock, looking every where about you to see if you be well decked, if your shoes fit well, if your stockings sit neatly, and clothes handsomely.

24. Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

25. Let your conversation be without malice or envy, for it is a sign of a tractable and commendable nature, and in all causes of passion admit reason to govern.

26. Be not immodest in urging your friend to discover a secret.

27. Utter not base and frivolous things amongst grown and learned men: nor very difficult questions or subjects amongst the ignorant, nor things hard to be believed.

28. Speak not of doleful things in time of mirth, nor at the table: speak not of melancholy things, as death and wounds, and if others mention them, change, if you can, the discourse. Tell not your dreams but to your intimate friends.

29. Break not a jest where none take pleasure in mirth. Laugh not aloud, nor at all without occasion. Deride no man's misfortune, though there seem to be some cause.

30. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest or earnest.

Scoff at none, although they give occasion.

31. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous, the first to salute, hear and answer, and be not pensive when it is a time to converse.

32. Detract not from others, but neither be excessive in commending.

33. Go not thither, where you know not whether you shall be welcome or not. Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, do it briefly.

34. If two contend together, take not the part of either unconstrained, and be not obstinate in your opinion: in things indifferent be of the major side.

35. Reprehend not the imperfections of others, for that belongs to parents, masters, and superiors.

36. Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of others, and ask not how they came. What you may speak in secret to your friend, deliver not before others.

87. Speak not in an unknown tongue in company, but in your own language; and that as those of quality do, and not as the vulgar. Sublime matters treat seriously.

88. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

89. When another speaks, be attentive yourself, and disturb not the audience. If any hesitate in his words, help him not, nor prompt him without being desired; interrupt him not, nor answer him till his speech be ended.

40. Treat with men at fit times about business, and whisper not in the company of others.

41. Make no comparisons, and if any of the company be commended for any brave act of virtue, commend not another for the same.

42. Be not apt to relate news, if you know not the truth thereof. In discoursing of things you have heard, name not your author always. A secret discover not.

43. Be not curious to know the affairs of others, neither approach to those that speak in private.

44. Undertake not what you cannot perform; but be careful to keep your promise.

45. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion and indiscretion, however mean the person may be you

46. When your superiors talk to any body, hear them, neither speak nor laugh.

47. In disputes, be not so desirous to overcome as not to give liberty to each one to deliver his opinion, and submit to the judgment of the major part, especially if they are judgers of the dispute.

48. Be not tedious in discourse, make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same matter of discourse. 49. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust.

50. Be not angry at table whatever happens, and if you have reason to be so, show it not, put on a cheerful coun tenance, especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish a feast.

51. Set not yourself at the upper end of the table, but if it be your due, or the master of the house will have it so contend not lest you should trouble the company.

52. When you speak of God or his attributes, let it be seriously in reverence and honor, and obey your natural parents.

58. Let your recreations be manful, not sinful.

54 Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.

III.

EXTRACT FROM WASHINGTON'S DIARY, DURING THE FEDERAL CONVENTION.

WASHINGTON kept diaries during the greater part of his life. The following extract from that which relates to the period of the Convention for forming the Constitution, discloses some of the social intimacies of the Chief in Philadelphia.

May 9th, 1787.-Crossed from Mount Vernon to Mr. Digges's a little after sunrise, and, pursuing the route by the way of Baltimore, dined at Mr. Richard Henderson's in Bladensburg, and lodged at Major Snowden's, where, feeling very severely a violent headache and sick stomach, I went to bed early.

10th.-A very great appearance of rain in the morning, and a little falling, induced me, though well recovered, to wait till about eight o'clock before I set off. At one o'clock I arrived at Baltimore; dined at the Fountain Inn, and supped and lodged at Dr. McHenry's; rain in the evening.

11th.-Set off before breakfast; rode twelve miles to Skirrett's; baited there, and proceeded without halting (weather threatening), to the ferry at Havre de Grace, where I dined, but could not cross, the wind being turbulent and squally. Lodged there.

12th. With difficulty, on account of the wind, crossed the Susquehanna. Breakfasted at the ferry-house on the east side. Dined at the Head of Elk (Hollingsworth's tavern), and lodged at Wilmington. At the Head of Elk I was overtaken by Mr. Francis Corbin, who took a seat in my carriage.

13th. - About eight o'clock Mr. Corbin and myself set out, and dined at Chester (Mr. Wilky's), where I was met by Generals Mifflin (now speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly), Knox, and Varnum, Colonels Humphreys and Menges, and Majors Jackson and Nicholas, with whom I proceeded to Philadelphia. At Gray's Ferry the city lighthorse, commanded by Colonel Miles, met me, and escorted me in; and the artillery officers, who stood arranged, saluted me as I passed. Alighted through a crowd at Mr. House's; but being again warmly and kindly pressed by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morris to lodge with them, I did so, and had my baggage removed thither. Waited on the president, Dr. Franklin,* as soon as I got to town. On my arrival the bells were chimed.

14th. This being the day appointed for the Convention to meet, such members as were in town assembled at the State-house; but only two states being represented, namely, Virginia and Pennsylvania, agreed to attend at the same place at eleven o'clock to-morrow. Dined in a family way at Mr. Morris's.

15th.-Repaired at the hour appointed to the State-house; but no more states being represented than yesterday, though several more members had come in, we agreed to meet again to-morrow. Governor Randolph from Virginis came in to-day. Dined with the members of the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati.

16th.-No more than two states being yet represented, agreed, till a quorum of them should be formed, to alter the hour of meeting at the State-house to one o'clock. Dined at the president Dr. Franklin's, and drank tea and spent the evening at Mr. John Penn's.

17th. Mr. Rutledge from Charleston, and Mr. Charles Pinckney from Congress, having arrived, gave a representation to South Carolina; and Colonel Mason, getting in this evening, placed all the delegates from Virginia on the floor of the Convention. Dined at Mr. Powel's and drank tea there.

18th. The representation from New York appeared on the floor to-day. Dined at Gray's Ferry, and drank tea at Mr. Morris's; after which accompanied Mrs. Morris and some other ladies to hear a Mrs. O Connell read. The lady, being reduced in circumstances, had recourse to this expedient to obtain a little money. Her performance was tolerable; at the College Hall.

19th. - No more states represented. Dined at Mr. Ingersoll's; spent the evening at my lodgings, and retired to my

room soon.

20th. Dined with Mr. and Mrs. Morris and other company at their farm, called the Hills; returned in the afternoon, and drank tea at Mr. Powel's.

21st. 22d.

Delaware state was represented. Dined and drank tea at Mr. Bingham's in great splendor.

The representation from North Carolina was completed, which made a representation for five states. Dined and drank tea at Mr. Morris's.

23d. No more states being represented, I rode to General Mifflin's to breakfast; after which, in company with nim, Mr. Madison, Mr. Rutledge, and others, I crossed the Schuylkill above the Falls; visited Mr. Peters's, Mr. Penn's Beat, and Mr. William Hamilton's. Dined at Mr. Chew's with the wedding guests (Colonel Howard of Baltimore having married his daughter Peggy). Drank tea there in a very large circle of ladies. 24th. No more states represented. Dined and drank tea at Mr. John Ross's. One of my postillion boys (Paris) being sick, requested Dr. Jones to attend him.

25th. Another delegate coming in from the state of New Jersey, gave it a representation, and increased the number to seven, which forming a quorum of the thirteen, the members present resolved to organize the body; when, by a unanimous vote, I was called up to the chair as president. Major William Jackson was appointed secretary; and a committee was chosen, consisting of three members, to prepare rules and regulations for conducting the business; and, after appointing door-keepers, the convention adjourned till Monday, to give time to the committee to report the matter referred to them. Returned many visits to-day. Dined at Mr. Thomas Willing's, and spent the evening at ny lodgings.

President of Pennsylvania.

you. - neturned all my visits this forenoon. Dined with a club at the City Tavern, and spent the evening at my quarters writing letters.

27th.Went to the Romish church to high mass. Dined, drank tes, and spent the evening at my lodgings. 28th. Met in convention at ten o'clock. Two states more, namely, Massachusetts and Connecticut, were on the floor to-day. Established rules, agreeably to the plan brought in by the committee for the government of the Convention, and adjourned. Dined at home, and drank tea in a large circle at Mr. Francis's.

29th.

Mr. Juhan.

Attended Convention, and dined at home; after which accompanied Mrs. Morris to the benefit concert of a

80th. Attended Convention; dined with Mr. Vaughan; drank tea, and spent the evening at a Wednesday evening's party at Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence's.

31st. The state of Georgia came on the floor of the Convention to-day, which made a representation of ten states. Dined at Mr. Francis's, and drank tea with Mrs. Meredith.

June 1st.-Attending in Convention; and, nothing being suffered to transpire, no minutes of the proceedings have been, or will be, inserted in this diary. Dined with Mr. John Penn, and spent the evening at a superb entertainment at Bush Hill given by Mr. Hamilton, at which were more than a hundred guests.

2d. — Major Jenifer coming in, with sufficient powers for the purpose, gave a representation to Maryland; which brought all the states in the Union into Convention, except Rhode Island, which had refused to send delegates. Dined at the City Tavern with the club, and spent the evening at my own quarters.

IV.

FRENCH CRITICISMS OF AMERICAN MANNERS AT THE CLOSE OF THE LAST

CENTURY.

The Memoires of the Marshal Count de ROCHAMBEAU, so far as they relate to America, are for the most part military, but he has left us a few paragraphs on society. He says:

"The first act of Congress was to exclude from political as well as civil assemblies all ecclesiastics without exception. The ministers were forced in many communes to abandon their churches, and it was not until peace that several of them, having got themselves consecrated by the Lutheran bishops of Denmark and Sweden, were reinstated in their livings; by these precautions, religion was prevented from taking a part in political deliberation; every one professed his own religion with exactitude; the sanctity of the Lord's day was scrupulously observed. At all public feasts the minister of religion held the first place; he blessed the repast; but his prerogatives in society extended no further. Such preamble must naturally lead to pure and simple manners. Hospitality is the virtue the most generally observed. Young women are free till their marriage. The first question addressed to a young woman is whether she be married; if she be, there the conversation rests. It is not uncommon that, at the age of womanhood, they accompany their father and mother to church, although they have not yet made choice of any particular religion; if you ask them why, they say that they will follow the same religion as their husband. But when they have once entered the state of matrimony, they give themselves up entirely to it, and you seldom see, particularly in the rural districts, a woman of loose manners. Children are, generally speaking, kept extremely clean. A settler is, at home, neither a lord of a manor nor a farmer; he is a proprietor in a full sense of the word, possessing the quantum sufficit of his necessaries, and he lays out the overplus of his crops in the purchases of good and comfortable clothing, without any of the exterior appendages of luxury. The same simplicity is observed with regard to his furniture, and unblemished cleanliness is its principal merit; but it is not without difficulty that the American settler arrives at this state.

"I will now explain in what manner these settlements were formed in the origin, and how they still continue to be formed. Whereas there is much more land to be cleared than there are hands to cultivate it, laborers are in great demand; a cultivator or day laborer earned, in my time, a piaster of five livres ten sous per diem. It is not uncom⚫ mon that a laborer, who works assiduously for the space of six years on an average, can accumulate a sufficient sum to purchase a piece of ground. They commence by firing the forests, which operation they call clearing. They next sow in the furrows every kind of seed, which grows with great abundance on a layer of rotten leaves, reduced to a vegetable soil formed at the expiration of many years. They then build their habitation with the round branches of the trees, piled one upon another, and propped up by stakes. They enclose their flelds with barriers, according to their different destinations. They take care to reserve pens, covered over with leaves, to protect their cattle from the rain and heavy dew, wherein the animals are enabled to pass the night at large. At the expiration of twenty or thirty years, when they have succeeded in fully clearing the ground, they proceed to build more tidy and comfortable houses with planks cleverly joined, and wrought with great art. But little iron is used in these constructions; the doors and windows being made to fit with remarkable precision by their skilful carpenters. At length, twenty or thirty years later, the family's circumstances become more easy, and they then remove to a brick house, the complement of their architecture. The latter is composed of a kind of open hall or verandah, a neat drawing-room, which is not scantily supplied with fuel during the colder months, and a kitchen next to it. The family sit all the day in their drawingroom; they take four ineals per day, interrupted only by moderate labor, and a little negro is incessantly occupied in spreading and clearing away the cloth. The bedrooms, with very clean and comfortable bedding, are situated on the first story, and their walls are whitewashed regularly every year. In the large towns, luxury has made more progress ; rich merchants and bankers have provided their residence with costly English furniture; their ladies are clad to the ip of the French fashions, of which they are remarkably fond."