MONTPELIER.

THE frontispiece of the present number represents the seat of the late lamented Ex-president MAD

ISON.

MONTPELIER is about four miles distant from Orange courthouse. On approaching it from the north, you turn to the left on leaving the main road, and after proceeding through a wood about a mile, the mansion of the ex-president may be seen a mile distant, situated on a slight eminence. It is a large brick building, composed of a main body and two wings. In front of the body, is a portico of wood, painted white, which is supported by four lofty Dorick pillars. The interiour of the house is furnished with plain, but rich furniture, and ornamented with busts and pictures; in the right wing is a library of rare and valuable books, and a cabinet. In the rear of the mansion is an extensive lawn after crossing this, you come to the garden, which consists of several acres of ground, laid out with elegance and taste, and contains a great number of native plants and exoticks, and an abundance of grapes.

Here, on the twenty-eighth of June, 1836, the venerable Madison expired, at the advanced age of eighty-seven, lamented deeply by his numerous friends, and by the whole American people, as a national loss. The following sketch of his life is from the pen of one who had passed many pleasant hours in his society, and is copied from the New York Mirror:—

"Great occasions produce great men. The records of our own country bear testimony to this truth. In the early and in the later ages of her struggles, there were not wanting men to advise and to act for a nation's welfare. Among those who have acted a conspicuous part in building up our political and civil institutions, for more than sixty years, was James Madison, who has lately sunk to rest, full of years and honours.

constitution—a wonderful era in the history of the liberties of man-Mr. Madison was elected a member of the first congress, and took an active part in setting the machinery in motion. At this period publick opinion was greatly agitated by the crude and false opinions scattered through the country, through the medium of the opposition presses; this was grievous to the friends of the constitution, and three mighty minds, Jay, Hamilton, and Madison, formed a holy alliance to enlighten the people upon the great doctrines of the constitution, and breaking through the host of the Philistines, drew the pure waters of truth for the good of the people. The essays from the pens of these worthies, were collected in a volume, called the FEDERALIST, which now stands a monument of the wisdom and patriotism of that age. In the debates of the first congress, Mr. Madison took a large share. It was an illustrious assemblage of patriots, among whom there often arose a difference of opinion in regard to political policy, but all were lovers of their country, and labouring for her best interests. Here Mr. Madison acted with the Cabots and the Ames' of the east, in perfect harmony. It was reserved for an afterage to feel the withering effects of partyfeuds. These were hardly discovered as long as the father of his country filled the presidential chair. In the administration of his successor, a separation into parties took place, and Mr. Madison ranked himself on the side of Mr. Jefferson and his party. During the presidency of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison was secretary of state, and sustained that office with singular ability. He held a ready pen, had a clear, philosophical perception of the great principles on which the government professed to act, and could readily produce a defence of the course pursued. No secretary ever did, or ever will do more by force of argument, than Mr. Madison, while supporting the measures of Mr. Jefferson.

"In March, 1809, Mr. Madison became president of the United States. It was a stormy period. "Mr. Madison was by birth a Virginian, and wholly France and England, in their fierce struggles for educated in this country. He was intended for a mastery, forgot the rights of neutral nations, and statesman from his youth, and made himself master outraged our independence. Insult followed insult of constitutional law, when it was hardly known as from both countries, for the three first years of his a science either in England or in this country. He administration; but he was, from the very elements was born on the sixteenth of March, 1751, and, of of his nature, inclined to peace, and had not urged course, was in all the ardour and freshness of youth preparations for war. In 1812, war was declared on the breaking out of the revolution. In 1775, Mr. without preparation, and the Executive of the United Madison was a member of the legislature of Virginia, States had a difficult task to perform. A powerful and at that early age, was distinguished for his maturity part of the people were opposed to the war, some of understanding and sage prudence. He was soon for one reason, and some for another, and it required appointed one of the council of the state. During no small degree of moral courage, to steer the ship the whole eventful struggle, James Madison had the of state at such a crisis. Mr. Madison was not a confidence of the state of Virginia; and, as a mem- military chieftain, and took no pleasure in the glories ber of her legislature, was listened to with profound of a victory, no farther than they were beneficial to attention when he brought forward sundry resolu- the interests of his country; but his moral courage tions for the formation of a general government for was of the highest order, that which arises from a the United States, based upon the inefficiency of the consciousness of an intention of doing good. There old confederation. From these resolutions grew a can be no doubt but that so sagacious a statesman as convention of delegates from the several states, who, Mr. Madison, saw some of the blessings that were in conclave, prepared a form of a constitution to be to flow to his country from the evils of war. submitted to the several states for their discussion, knew that nations, at times, hold incorrect opinions, approbation, and adoption. Mr. Madison was a and that the rude shocks of war are the only remmember of this convention, as a delegate from Vir- edies for these errours. The war had its dark and ginia, and took an active part in the deliberations of bright spots on the tablets of fame, but its results that enlightened body, of which Washington, his were altogether fortunate. The necessity of a navy colleague, was president. On the adoption of this for national honour and protection, anchored itself

He

into the firm bosom of every patriot, with such a hold as to ride out every billow and whirlwind of faction. By this war we were taught that no nation could ever claim to be independent whose resources were confined to agriculture and commerce alone. By this war we became a manufacturing people to a respectable extent; but there was as much opposition to this as there was to the war. This goes to show, that it is beyond human reason to foresee what may be best; but all will agree that there should always be wisdom and honesty at the head of our people to make the most judicious use of every event.

"In 1817, when the reign of peace was established, Mr. Madison retired to his farm to enjoy the serenity of rural life; but here he has not been idle. On the death of Mr. Jefferson, he was made chancellor of the University of Virginia, and, as well as his predecessor, took a deep interest in the prosperity of the institution. When Virginia called a convention to alter her constitution, Mr. Madison, with ChiefJustice Marshall, and Mr. Monroe, were found among the sages who had witnessed the birth of that constitution, and were well acquainted with its excellences and defects, and were good judges of the best forms of amendment. Seven or eight years ago, a bookseller at Washington, got up an edition of the debates in the several conventions called by the states in 1787 and 1788, to deliberate on the adoption of the constitution of the United States. Mr. Madison took a lively interest in this publication, and afforded the editor all the information that he possessed upon the subject.

"Mr. Madison was unquestionably the leading member in the Virginia convention, called for the adoption of the constitution of the United States, although there were several distinguished men among them. This body was fortunate enough to have employed a reporter of eminence for the occasion, which was not the case in many other states; and what the Virginian reporter did not put down in his notes, Mr. Madison's minutes and recollections most readily supplied.

but his most familiar guests seldom heard a sentence tinged with them, either at his table or fireside. For nearly twenty years he has been daily preparing for the change of worlds, and at last sunk into the arms of death in as peaceful a sleep as a babe on the bosom of his mother. Nature and religion had cured him of all fears of the grave; he had no dread of what dreams might come when he had shuffled off this mortal coil.' He had no enmities to settle, for he had quarrelled with no one; he had no slanders to forgive, for no one ever traduced him. His history contains, indeed, a miracle, for there has not been one of mortal, or of immortal birth, who has acted a conspicuous part on this earth, but James Madison, whose private reputation has not been assailed."

been master off.

VIOLENT dispute once arose between the bee and the ant, each claiming superiority for prudence and industry; and, as neither of them would give up the point, they mutually agreed to defer the decision of this great question to the

"In the convention he had to meet the blaze of Patrick Henry's eloquence, the subtile arguments of Mason, and the chilling doubts of Monroe; but all were overcome by the clearness of his views, and decree of Apollo, who was fortunately at hand tendthe force of his reasonings. Mr. Madison was not ing the cattle of Admetus. Accordingly approaching an orator in the common acceptation of the word; the god, each made out his title to a preference with there were no deep tones in his voice; no flashes of all the eloquence which a bee or an ant had ever a fierce and commanding eye; no elegant gestures When Apollo gave judgment to attract the beholder; all was calm, dignified, and thus:-"I consider you both as most excellent exconvincing. It was the still, small voice, in which amples of industry and prudence. You," said he, the oracles of God were communicated to the proph-addressing the ant, "by your care, your foresight, et. He never talked for the love of display, but and your labour, make for yourself an ample prosimply to communicate his thoughts. He spoke vision in time of need; thus independent, you often in debate, when earnest in his cause, but was never intrude on or tax the labours of others for always heard with profound attention; not a word help: but recollect, at the same time, that it is of his speeches were lost. He was so perfectly yourself alone that you benefit; no other creature master of his subject, that he had nothing to correct ever shares any part of your hoarded riches. Wherein a retrospective view of it, and was so well under-as the bee produces, by his meritorious and ingestood, that he had nothing to explain. His voice nious exertions, that which becomes a blessing to was deficient in volume, but it was so well mod- the world. Therefore I must give my judgment in ulated, that its compass was more extensive than favour of the bee." that of many speakers of stronger lungs. His conversation was truly a charm. He was familiar with most topicks, and he loved both to communicate and receive information. He lived in times when men grew up with strong prejudices and partialities;

APPLICATION.

That man deserves the thanks of his country who connects with his own, the good of others. The philosopher enlightens the ignorant; the manufacturer

employs the needy; and the merchant gratifies the rich, by procuring them the rarities of every clime. But the miser, although he may be no burden on society, yet, thinking only of himself, affords to no one else either profit or pleasure. As it is not the lot of any one in this world to have a very large share of happiness, that will of course have the largest portion who makes himself a partner in the happiness of others. The benevolent are sharers in every one's joys.

THE REDBREAST AND THE SPARROW.

ERCH'D on a tree, hard by a rural
cot,

A redbreast, singing, cheer'd the
humble spot;

A sparrow on the thatch, in critick
spleen,

Thus took occasion to reprove the

strain :"Dost thou," cried he, "thou dull dejected thing, Presume to emulate the birds of spring? Can thy weak warbling dare approach the thrush Or blackbird's accents in the hawthorn bush ? Or with the lark dost thou, poor mimick, vie, Or nightingale's unequall'd melody? These other birds possessing twice thy fire, Have been content in silence to admire." "With candour judge," the minstrel bird replied, "Nor deem my efforts arrogance or pride; Think not ambition makes me act this part,

I only sing because I love the art;

I envy not, indeed, but much revere

Those birds whose fame the test of skill will bear :

I feel no hope aspiring to surpass,

Nor with their charming songs my own to class;

Far other aims incite my humble strain;
Then surely I your pardon may obtain,
While I attempt the rural vale to move,
By imitating of the lays I love."

[The Elephant and the slave.]

grace."-"True," said the slave, "but notwithstanding my degraded state, I am still your superiour." "In one quality," replied the elephant, "you have the advantage most supremely, and which mankind possess alone, in contradistinction to all other animals in the creation. I mean the power of being able to console themselves by self-adulation and flattering conceit, even when under the most degrading circumstances, or when steeped in vice: not once recollecting that it is manners make the man." APPLICATION.

It is curious to observe by what ingenious sophistry and artful care we endeavour to screen from our sight and conviction the odiousness of many of our qualities, instead of boldly facing them, in order to descry their deformity, which would raise our hatred and force us to correct them. On the contrary, by this blind indulgence, we give strength to vice, till at last it gains the mastery over us and ends in our ruin. Would that there were mirrors for the mind as well as for the face. The understanding is often deceived, because there is nothing to represent it truly; and every judge of himself, being seduced by inclination, will always find some loophole or other to evade censure. Self-love makes us put on spectacles, to see the things larger that concern ourselves.

[For the Family Magazine.]

AMERICAN LANDSCAPE.

How numerous and varied the forms assumed by nature; and to be seen by the careful observer, in stones, and shells, and fruits, and flowers, as also in other natural productions. Perhaps her phantasies are more common in the mineral kingdom, and many cases of their occurrence are recorded; for instance, the following: During the French revolution, immediately after the unfortunate Louis was beheaded, a very remarkable portrait of this monarch was discovered distinctly marked in a piece of Labrador N elephant, in his progress through spar, and so accurate was the likeness, and so the forest, saw a slave felling trees, curious was this coincidence reckoned at the time, and linked by a chain to a log of that a very large sum of money was obtained for it; wood, to prevent his escape. "Ifacsimiles were engraved from it, and worn as rings see clearly," said the elephant, by his partisans. In the British museum, is an "that you are a slave by your equip- agate, on which is portrayed an accurate likeness of Chaucer. At the present time we have before us a ment, an indication also of your past bad conduct, which has brought you to dis- I view of a profile, found in the fracture of a nodule

[Buffalo.]