I am not a little flattered by being considered by the patrons of literature as one of their number. Fully apprized of the influence which sound learning has on religion and manners, on government, liberty, and laws, I shall only lament my want of abilities to make it still more extensive.

I conceive hopes, however, that we are at the eve of a very enlightened era. The same unremitting exertions which, under all the blasting storms of war, caused the arts and sciences to flourish in America, will doubtless bring them nearer to maturity, when they shall have been sufficiently invigorated by the milder rays of peace.

I return you my hearty thanks for your devout intercession at the throne of grace for my felicity both here and hereafter. May you also, gentlemen, after having been the happy instruments of diffusing the blessings of literature and the comforts of religion, receive the just compensation for your virtuous deeds.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

"Promote," he says, "as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be enlightened."

THE PURSUITS OF AGRICULTURE

Had for Washington a delightful charm, and harmonized with his Christian taste and culture.

"The life of a husbandman," says he, "of all others is the most delightful. It is honorable, it is amusing, and, with judicious management, it is profitable." "For the sake of humanity, it is devoutly to be wished that the manly employment of. agriculture and the humanizing benefit of commerce should supersede the waste of war and the rage of conquest; that the swords might be turned into ploughshares, the spears into pruning-hooks, and, as the Scriptures express it, 'the nations learn war no more.'

"At the age of sixty-five," he writes, in 1797, "I am now recommencing my agricultural and rural pursuits, which were always more congenial to my temper and disposition than the noise and bustle of public employment."

A CHRISTIAN HOME

At Mount Vernon was the crowning glory and happiness of Washington's private life. He was blessed with one of the happiest homes on earth. Intelligence, taste, wealth, books,

literature, friends, the picturesque scenes of surrounding nature, a wife who "was the most perfect model of female excellence," who never omitted her private devotions or domestic or public duties, and with whom Washington "was perfectly united and happy," these, crowned and beautified with the genial presence of piety, constituted the Christian home at Mount Vernon a model for loveliness and happiness. And such a home Washington most dearly loved. He says,

"I am now, I believe, fixed at this seat, with an agreeable partner, for life; and I hope to find more happiness in retirement than I ever experienced in the wide and bustling world!" "I can truly say, I had rather be at Mount Vernon, with a friend or two about me, than to be attended at the seat of government by the officers of state, and the representatives of every Power in Europe." "I should enjoy more real happiness," he writes to his wife, "in one month with you at home than I have the most distant prospect of finding abroad if my stay were to be seven times seven years." "The great Searcher of hearts is my witness that I have no wish but which aspires to the humble and happy lot of living and dying a private citizen on my own farm.' "The scene is at last closed. I feel myself eased of a load of public care. I hope to spend the remainder of my days in cultivating the affections of good men, and in the practice of the domestic virtues." "Freed from the clangor of arms and the bustle of camp, from the cares of public employment and the responsibility of office, I am now enjoying domestic ease under the shadow of my own vine and my own figtree. And in a small villa, with the implements of husbandry and lambkins around me, I expect to glide down the stream of life till I am entombed in the mansions of my fathers."

Washington died December 14, 1799, aged sixty-eight years. "Great as he was in life, he was also great in death. He had fought the good fight, and death to him had no terrors." His death was worthy of his Christian faith and character. "I die hard," said he; "but I am not afraid to die. I should have. been glad, had it pleased God, to die a little easier; but I doubt not it is for my good. 'Tis well! Father of mercies, take me to thyself." On his dying bed lay an open Bible, the book of God, which he had read in the family circle and in his private devotions, and in the light of its heavenly truths his great soul passed, doubtless, into the light and immortality of heaven.

HIS FUNERAL

Presented a solemn scene of sorrow. "A multitude of persons," says an eye-witness, "assembled, from many miles around, at Mount Vernon, the choice abode and late residence of the illustrious chief. There were the groves, the spacious avenues, the beautiful and sublime scenes, the noble mansion; but, alas! the august inhabitant was now no more. That great soul was gone. In the long portico, where oft the hero walked in all his glory, now lay the shrouded corpse. The countenance, still composed and serene, seemed to express the dignity of the spirit which lately dwelt in that lifeless form."

The mortal remains were laid to rest at the bottom of the elevated lawn, on the banks of the Potomac, where the family vault was then placed. On the ornament at the head of the coffin was inscribed the Christian sentiment, SURGE AD JUDICIUM; about the middle of the coffin, GLORIA DEO; and on the silver plate, his name, age, and the day of his death. The vault, in which now rest his remains, bears the inscription of that glorious doctrine of the gospel,—

"I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE."

On the death of Washington, appropriate and solemn services were directed and observed by Congress, then in session at Philadelphia. The Senate presented the following address:

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

The Senate of the United States respectfully take leave, sir, to express to you their deep regret for the loss the country has sustained in the death of General GEORGE WASHINGTON.

This event, so distressing to all our fellow-citizens, must be peculiarly heavy to you, who have been long associated with him in deeds of patriotism. Permit us, sir, to mingle our tears with yours: on this occasion it is manly to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity to the world. Our country mourns her father. The almighty Disposer of human events has taken from us our greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit to Him who "maketh darkness his pavilion."

With patriotic pride we review the life of our Washington, and compare him with those of other countries who have been pre-eminent in fame. Ancient and modern times are diminished before him. Greatness and guilt have too often been allied; but his fame is whiter than it is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and

darkened the splendor of victory. The scene is closed; and we are no longer anxious lest misfortune should sully his glory: he has travelled on to the end of his journey, and carried with him an increasing weight of honor; he has deposited it safely where misfortune cannot tarnish it, where malice cannot blast it. Favored of Heaven, he departed without exhibiting the weakness of humanity. Magnanimous in death, the darkness of the grave could not obscure his brightness.

Such was the man whom we deplore. Thanks to God, his glory is consummated. Washington yet lives on earth in his spotless example; his spirit is in heaven.

Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the heroic general, the patriotic statesman, and the virtuous sage. Let them teach their children never to forget that the fruits of his labors and his example are their inheritance.

SAMUEL LIVERMORE, President of the Senate pro tempore.

The President of the United States made the following reply:

GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE:

I receive with the most respectful and affectionate sentiments, in this impressive address, the obliging expressions of your regard for the loss our country has sustained in the death of her most esteemed, beloved, and admired citizen.

In the multitude of my thoughts and recollections on this melancholy event, you will permit me only to say that I have seen him in the days of adversity, in the scenes of his deepest distress and most trying perplexities, I have also attended him in his highest elevation and most prosperous felicity, with uniform admiration of his wisdom, moderation, and constancy.

Among all our original associates in that memorable League of the Continent, in 1774, which first expressed the sovereign will of a free nation in America, he was the only one remaining in the General Government. Although with a constitution more enfeebled than his, at an age when he thought it necessary to prepare for retirement, I feel myself alone, bereaved of my late brother, yet I derive a strong consolation from the unanimous disposition which appears in all ages and classes to mingle their sorrow with mine on this common calamity to the world.

The life of our WASHINGTON cannot suffer by a comparison with those of other countries who have been most celebrated and exalted in fame. The attributes and decorations of royalty could only have served to eclipse the majesty of those virtues which made him, from being a modest citizen, a more resplendent luminary. Misfortune, had he lived, could hereafter have sullied his glory only with those superficial minds who, believing that characters and actions are marked by success alone, rarely deserve to enjoy it. Malice could never blast his honor, and envy made him a singular exception to its universal rule. For himself, he had lived enough to life and to glory. For his fellow

citizens, if their prayers could have been answered, he would have been immortal. For me, his departure is at a most unfortunate moment. Trusting, however, in the wise and righteous dominion of Providence over the passions of men and the results of their councils and actions, as well as over their lives, nothing remains for me but humble resignation.

His example is now complete; and it will teach wisdom and virtue to magistrates, citizens, and men, not only in the present age, but in future generations, as long as history shall be read. If a Trajan found a Pliny, a Marcus Aurelius can never want biographers, eulogists, or __ historians. JOHN ADAMS.

UNITED STATES, December 23, 1799.

Major-General Lee, at the request of Congress, prepared and delivered on the 26th of December, 1799, a funeral oration, of which the following are the closing sentences:

Methinks I see his august image, and hear falling from his venerable lips these deep-sinking words :

"Cease, sons of America, to lament our separation; go on and confirm by your wisdom the fruits of our joint councils, joint efforts, and common dangers; REVERENCE RELIGION; patronize the arts and sciences; let liberty and order be inseparable companions; control party spirit, the bane of free government; observe good faith to, and cultivate peace with, all nations; shut up every avenue to foreign influence; contract rather than extend national connection; rely on yourselves only; be American in thought, word and deed. Thus will you give immortality to that union which was the constant object of my terrestrial labors; thus will you preserve undisturbed to the latest posterity the felicity of a people to me most dear; and thus will you supply (if my happiness is aught to you) the only vacancy in the round of pure bliss high Heaven bestows."