ing his labourers, and seeing that they had complied with his instructions. His eye was everywhere, and as those who performed their duties never failed of being rewarded by his approbation, so those who neglected them were sure of a reprimand. He considered indulgence to his dependants, when carried to the extent of permitting idleness or offence, as equally unjust to himself and injurious to them. He was a kind master to the good, a strict disciplinarian to the bad, and he was both feared and loved by al within the sphere of his domestic influence. He exacted obedience, and repaid it by benefits. His domestic government was patriarchal; the people of his establishment were his children, equally the subjects of his authority and the objects of his affection.

But Washington did not confine himself to the improvement of his own domain, or the introduction of a better system of agriculture in his native state He took journeys in different directions, to ascertain the practicability of great internal improvements, which might at one and the same time increase the means of happiness, and, by associating the interests of the different sections of the country, operate as new bonds of union. His influence and his arguments prevailed in the legislature of Virginia, and

K

two companies were established for the purpose of extending the navigation of the Potomac and James Rivers. By the act of the legislature, one hundred and fifty shares of stock, amounting to forty thousand dollars, were offered to his acceptance. These he declined with a noble disinterestedness, and at his request they were appropriated to the purposes of education. Thus usefully and honourably employed in cultivating the earth, and forwarding objects beneficial to mankind, his short interval of repose passed away in all the comforts of a good man's lot. Health, competence, and well-won honour, active employment, and the recollections of a glorious life, all combined to make him as happy as is compatible with the dispensations of this world.

-Washington on his farm at Mount Vernon, performing his duties as a virtuous and useful citizen, is not less worthy of contemplation than Washington leading his country to independence, and showing her how to enjoy it afterwards. The former example is indeed more extensively useful, because it comes home to the business and bosoms of ordinary men, and is within the reach of their imitation.

Among the pleasures which now awaited Washington was a visit from Lafayette, who, after the

fall of Cornwallis, had gone back to France. It was, however, of short duration, for the friends were soon again engaged in public scenes and cares. Before Lafayette returned, he visited the mother of Washington. She received him kindly, and talked with him of the happy prospects of her country, and of the conduct of her son, whom Lafayette praised with the warmth of strong attachment. She listened calmly to him, and then replied, "I am not surprised at what George has done, for he was always a very good boy." On leaving this venerable woman, Lafayette asked and received her blessing, and bade her a last farewell. When he took leave of Washington, he indulged a lively hope that they would once more meet; but when, in the year 1825, he again visited America, he was received as the "Nation's Guest," and, instead of being welcomed at Mount Vernon by Washington, he was led to his tomb to shed tears of sorrow.

CHAPTER XII.

CARCELY had the sun of independence dawned on the United States, when it was obscured by clouds. Common danger had kept them together, while struggling for liberty, and almost without a government. But that no longer existing, the bonds that remained were too weak to produce either unity of action or submission to authority. A people who had just burst asunder the shackles of a foreign government, were unwilling to impose upon themselves new fetters. The states, which had acted in a great measure independent of each other during the war, were extremely unwilling to circumscribe their privileges, the more dear for being but newly acquired; and a large portion of the people shared in the sentiment. It had become obvious that they could not long hold together by the rope of sand of the confederation, which left each one at liberty to reject or disregard

the requisitions of Congress. The enemies of liberty had predicted the speedy dissolution of the Union, and the prophecy seemed about to be fulfilled. People began to talk of the necessity of returning once more to the protection of England, or establishing a kingly government. Washington, in one of his letters, exclaims,-"What astonishing changes a few years are capable of producing! I am told that even respectable characters speak of a monarchical form of government without horror! From thinking proceeds speaking; thence to acting is often but a single step. But how inexcusable and tremendous! What a triumph for the advocates of despotism to find that we are incapable of governing ourselves, and that systerns founded on the basis of equal liberty are merely ideal and fallacious! Would to God that wise measures may be taken in time to arrest the consequences we have so much reason to apprehend! Retired as I am from the world, I frankly acknowledge I cannot feel myself an unconcerned spectator. Yet, having happily assisted in bringing the ship into port, and having been fairly discharged, it is not my business to embark again on a sea of troubles." Yet he could not desert his country in this new and perilous voyage. He employed the influence of his character, the