WASHINGTON.

THERE are some men who are marked out by fortune to create empires, and to give them all the bril liancy that they can lay claim to. An invisible hand pushes them forward on the theatre of their glory,— circumstances arise for their genius,-even the enterprises of their enemies concur. to raise them. The crouds who had seen them amongst themselves, see them, without envy, attain the summit of power, and seem to yield to their power. But some of these extraordinary men, after having procured the happiness of their country, feel themselves too great to bring it into subjection; they even seem to dread the effects. of public gratitude. They are seen covered with glory again descending suddenly to the rank from which they sprung; and, greater than conquerors or monarchs, they then deserve the title of illustrious heroes: such was the celebrated Washington.

This legislator-warrior, the third son of Augustine Washington, was born at Bridges Creek, in the county of Westmoreland, in Virginia, the 22d of February 1732. His grandfather, John Washington, born in the north of England, crossed the sea in 1667, and settled himself in the same district in which the deliverer of America was born. The lofty and gloryloving soul of George Washington led him to adopt the military profession. At the age of nineteen he had acquired a reputation among his countrymen, who appointed him adjutant-general of Virginia. The

plan of France to unite its vast possessions in North America, viz. Louisiana with Canada, began then to develope itself. The French having taken possession of some lands belonging to Virginia, Washington was sent to negociate for withdrawing their troops. Before he arrived at the first French fort, he had to traverse several countries inhabited by a great number of savage nations, whose fidelity was at least doubtful. The prudence and courage which he displayed in this enterprize contributed to encrease his reputation. An unfortunate event was near snatching Washington from his military career. The death of his brother left him in possession of an immense property. He loved the sweets of a country life, and was on the point of yielding to his inclination, when General Braddock invited him to serve as his aid-de-camp. Washington hesitated; the honour of defending his country was used as an argument to persuade him, and agriculture was forsaken for arms. Washington was present at the battle of Monongahela, in which Braddock fell. His valour could not prevent the defeat of his party; the French gained a complete victory. The prudence of Washington alone saved the remains of the American army. The ascendancy of the French appeared decided. Washington, by his firm countenance, and energetic speeches, was able to retain under arms the discouraged soldiers who panted after repose. He continued to serve as colonel, as long as the French army threatened Virginia; but when it abandoned Fort Du Quesne, and the safety of the province was secured, Washington requested and obtained leave to retire. Shortly after, he married the widow of Mr. Curtis, a lady distin

AMERICA.]

WASHINGTON.

guished for her personal charms, and for those qualities which ensure happiness in domestic life.

After his marriage, Col. Washington, retiring to his estate at Mount Vernon, applied himself for some years to agriculture; perhaps the repose which he then enjoyed allowed him to undertake that which he had not been able to do during his campaigns, an examination of the rights and interests of the people, and a research into the causes of their prosperity and happiness. He exercised his thoughts on these important subjects, and collected those immense materials which he knew how to make such good use of, when it became necessary to give to America one of those extraordinary constitutions which are without a model. In his retreat Washington did not relax from his functions in the legislation of Virginia. He declared himself one of the first against the principles of arbitrary taxation adopted by the parliament. The independent companies which were formed in Virginia appointed him their chief. He was elected a member of the first congress which met at Philadelphia; and when it was necessary to send a commander in chief to the armies of the American Union, the congress, by electing him to that rank, was but the interpreter of the public opinion.

The epoch of the nomination of Washington, to this high rank, is perhaps that period of his life in which he displayed the greatest talents. To begin a war without money, provisions, or magazines; to cause committees, who did not feel all the advantage of an uniform system of defence, to adopt wise and well-conceived plans; to concentrate in his own hand sufficient authority to save his country, without alarming the independ