^--. % H.' \%t^l y^ V. Glass _ Book. h THE r 9 CONTAINING ORATIONS AND SPEECHES, SKETCHES OF THE PROGEESS AND HISTORY OF THE REBELLION AND CIVIL WAR, COMMENCED DJ THE YEAR 1861, ON THE SOIL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMEBICA, ROMANTIC AND INTERESTIKG TALES, CHOICE LITERATURE, HISTORICAL AND INSTRUCTIVE READING MATTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES AND COLLEGES, SHORT HISTORICAL ARTICLES 01^ JAPA]\^ SPLENDID AND PATRIOTIC MUSIC SET TO DECLARATION OF AMERICA]^ INDEPENDENCE, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND IMPORTANT EXTRACTS FROM THE CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE YEAR 18G0, BY WA-SHINGTOnsr aOFF, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. Published— Persons desiring this book— THE AIMERICAN UNION— will please address Washington Goff, at the New York Post Offiu;. We present to the people on the soil of the United States, The American Union, a new book, and most admirably adapted to the reading of families, and a class-blook for the oldest and most ad- vanced scholars at the common scliools and academies. It con- so tains a great variety of useful knowledge, cheerful and moral •o Oto subjects, and necessary historical facts. > . Our book will be a source of information and pleasure to the j^ Army and Navy of the United States, and help to preserve their minds while they are laboring to support the Federal Government, fighting the battles of liberty, and conquering a glorious peace ! The parliamentary rules, and wise maxims, as published in Jef- ferson's manual, will be printed in this book for the use of the Federal Congress at Washington, and the State Legislatures of the United States, and the lyceums, debating societies, and other deliberative bodies. The music set to the popular hymns and patriotic songs in this book are of an elevating and stirring character, and in proportion as they are read and sung, will help to keep up the energies and patriotism of the people. Our book is published to enlighten, relieve, and cheer the minds of the masses of the people in the journey of life, and increase their prosperity and happiness on the soil of America. The people need more active moral principles, stirring patriot- ism, and God's holy religion in their minds to keep their mental powers vigorous and honest, so as to guide them in supporting the Constitution of the United States, and the Government of our bleeding country. We shall use the joyful and holy principles of Christian love to kindly lead the minds of the masses of the people of onr common country to return to the honest and just principles of Washington, as the means, under the wisdom of God, to secure the return of an honest and wise peace, and perpetuate the Constitution and Government of the United States for the lasting benefit of all the people on the soil of America. THE AUTHOR. Entered ace; ir.liii!; hi act of CniiKrc^?!, in the year ISfil .by \r.\«;n\OT 'V fJfiFF, in tlio rinrl;'.j OPnco of tho Oisiriol Omrt of the Uuite:l Stiito-! lor the Simlheni Hi-lnct of Now York. OKA.TION' OK THE CHARACTER OF GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON, DELIVERED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, JULY 4tH, 18G1. BY WASHINGTON GOFF. Ladies and Gentlemen : — "We are assembled on this glorions day, to commemorate the memory, admire the patriotism, and consider the noble principles of our illustrious departed Wash- ington. The citizen, Christian, soldier, hero, sage, and statesman. Immortal honors are due to his departed greatness. Alas! he has long since departed, and left the world in tears. His immortal soul has gone to realms of bliss and glory, to mingle with celestial angels in never-ending praises to the God of Heaven. Washington's life and death were pure and glorious in hu- manity and his bleeding country. He trusted in God, his constant friend. He still lives on the soil of America, and in every land where civilization and religion bless mankind. His pure and glorious principles now live and animate our race, as truly as when he breathed the genial air of Heaven. The character of our illustrious statesman was purely Amer- ican, patriotic, wise and prudent. His whole life was devoted to the best interests of the United States and the world. Washington was truly domesticated ; liis heart and aflfections were freely given to the constant and early service of the peo- ple. Living, acting, and blessing America with the glorious boon of civil and religious liberty, and then modestly retiring to the bosom of his own dear family, to enjoy, amid his admir- ing countrymen, his quiet and lovely home on the beautiful banks of the Patomac. No monarchial influences or despotic education, no habits or tastes acquired in foreign lands, no large bribes induced him to depart from the pure principles of self-government. No daz- zling royalty, or the pomp and splendor of magnificent politi- cal thrones, arrested his honest heart, or checked his progress after pure liberty. No other man was ever so completely American ! His youth was taught, and his young mind disciplined in the valleys, and amid the mountains and rivers of his own noble Virginia. Our General's first blushing manhood was busily exercised at the age of twenty-one years in the military defence of his own native state. He was protected by his dear parents and constant friends on the soil of Virginia, breathing her pure, invigorating, and healthful atmosphere. He never trod the soil of any foreign land, or practiced despotic principles. Washington's summer of life was dedicated to the pure cause of oppressed humanity, amid the darkest years of the history of the United States, and he continued in the service of the people until the glorious tree of liberty was planted and be- came strong on the soil of America. His calm and autumnal evening descended happily and quiet- ly te the tomb, on the very spot which had been the first home of his manhood the seat and centre of his earthly joys. Great in every quality of humanity beyond comparison, his goodness to mankind is of lasting and priceless value. It was of purely American growth, produced and perfected by Chris- tian and patriotic principles. As an example of American .9 greatness, it is a privilege and duty to commemorate his patriotism, to contemplate his pure character, and transmit from generation to generation the memor}^ of his excellent and exalted name. Our soldier's examples before the people, and their estima- tion of his influence on each succeeding age, his lofty genius and high commanding virtues, are brilliant lights to mankind. We must remind the people of the truth that our beloved Washington is a living American fact, possessing pure Ameri- can principles, which may revolutionize and improve the pros- perity and happiness of the world. Not so much a man who lived, and finished his noble career, and then departed, and since remains on the page of history alone ; but an actual and abiding type, and embodiment of human greatness which will never perish. No effort of memory is necessary to perpetuate his exalted character ; because it lives, and acts, and influences the people, and will govern them in all future ages as really and com- pletely as if he was a visible body. His pure Christian principles live, and move, and invigorate all minds. He did not help in forming and establishing the glorious Republic of the United States, and then like other statesmen and heroes fall into endless sleep, to be remem- bered only when pondering the pages of history for a record of departed moral worth ; but his principles, patriotism, and integrity of heart, live in perpetual verdure and brightness, illuminating every truly accessible avenue to human greatness by the brilliant influences of his pious and exemplary life. His noble character must continue a living influence, a power over the human mind which never grows old ; an authority and safe example which is as fresh and blooming now as it was when his immortal soul was convoyed by seraphic. Angels to realms of bliss and glory. Washington's pure principles will be as efl'ective and mani- fest hundreds of years hence, as they were at the auspicious moment of his unparaUeled prudence and patriotism. 10 The people will not have to ponder the pages of history to learn who Washington was, or find the truth of his en- during greatness. The school-boy and all men will remember his name and history. We shall not have to point to the beautiful specimens of statuary, or pictures on glowing can- vass, or gorgeous monuments erected to the memory of Wash- ington, and say to our children's children, " Behold, there is the Father of your country ! " because his principles, patriot- ism, and character are incorporated into the American Insti- tutions, and verify in all the daily influences of life that the memory of his name and virtues shall be as imperishable and immortal as the existence of truth. The perpetual tokens of his authority and prudence are like the living, glowing patriotism of America. In all future time America's history will poi-pctuate his exalted fame. America shall be Washington, and Washington shall be America. He illustrated the pure and beautiful principles of friend- ship and patriotism through all his valuable life, and exhib- ited the pure and sublime principles of God's holy religion, from the earliest period of his active patriotic life, down to the close of his valuable existence on the soil of America's land of freedom. The pure and sublime principles of self- -governernment exhibit Washington. We point the inquiring mind to the principles and char- acter of Washington, to learn the genius of Republican In- stitutions, and to the uniform honesty and perseverance of the the departed Father of tlie United States, to see and behold what industry and union have accomplished for the people of America. His principles bestow uniform happiness and en- during prosperity on the people of all climes where the prin- ciples of pure liberty are understood and held in estimation. Glorious humanity is preserved, improved, and made happy by the great supreme Father who guided our General and his companions in gaining and establishing the political and religious liberty of the United States, and securing to the people the glorious boon of freedom oft the soil of America. 11 In tlie year 1793, Washington, the most revered and pop- ular man in the United States, laid the corner stone of the National Capitol with his own hands, in presence of thous- ands of grateful freemen, on the soil of the District of Co- lumbia, in that magnificent city which bears the Father of America's great and pure name. He who wielded his popular pen in giving instruction to thsee millions of American people, scattered over an exten- sive and poorly cultivated country, composing at that early day the population of the United States in the memorable year 1776 ; he who penned the general orders to tte armies of the Republic while fighting the glorious battles of freedom ; he who grasped the sword of justice, and mounted the war horse on the battle field ; closed his timely military labor in triumph and honor. Tlie clash of resounding arms is hushed in a lasting and glorious peace. Mothers' and daughters' smiles graced the grand and hon- orable occasion. Their early and ardent love of freedom ani- mates the people, and bids them God speed in the stupend- ous and glorious enterprise. Ladies and Gentlemen — Behold the interesting and blissful scene ! the battles are fought ; the long-desired American vie- tory is won ; the Constitution of the United Sta tes is pro- claimed, securing the pure principles of self-government to the people, and guaranteeing to them the support and endur- ing stability of a Republican government, based on the hon- est and holy principles of truth and justice, and supported by the affections and love of a grateful people. Behold — again ! The Heavenly genius of pure liberty is timely spread before the people ; and a Republican govern- ment is permanently established by the voice of three millions of grateful American freemen. The corner stone of the National Capitol is laid by the hand of the great benefactor of mankind in the city of Wash- ington. The beauty of America behold with rapturous emo- tions of joy the progress of patriotism, the establishment of 12 the glorious system of self-government, and the wise political institutions of the United States. Our citizen, Christian, soldier, hero, sage and statesman closed his useful and brilliant career on the soil of America in the year 1779. Washington's mortal remains were entombed at Mount Vernon with appropriate and national honors, from his grateful and devoted countrymen, becoming the dignity of departed moral worth of the great and good man, who had so long and honorably filled the measure of America's great- ness and never-fading glory. His companions in arms shed tears of honest sorrow for the loss of the great soldier, who had for more than seven years shared with them in the toils and sufferings of war, while figliting the glorious battles of freedom. The eminent statesmen who shared with Washington in the counsels of the nation, and the exciting and important inter- ests considered and debated in Congress, at that momentous period of American history which tried men's souls. The masses of the people of the United States revere the name, patriotism and shining virtues of the Father of his beloved country. Mothers' and daughters' pati-iotism are briglit and ardent to their country. They exhibit gratitude for noble ser- vices to the people, in sweetness and love, and render justice and honor to good men who nobly fill the measure of their country's glory. Women wept for the loss of Washington ; women also wept at the tomb of the Saviour. God in great mercy to the world invested noble woman's heart with ardent love for glorious humanity, charity for all mankind, and a commendable reforming spirit of temperance, industry, and love of family, home and country! All cheerfully and honestly unite in paying profound respect to the virtues and memory of Washington. The tears of a grateful and virtuous people embalm his memory for the bene- fit of future ages. The people who may dwell on the soil of America hun- 13 dreds of years hence will read the history of Washington, and practice his energy, virtue, and patriotism. France, England, Russia, Grcrmany, Prussia, and other civil, ized nations of the globe, revere the virtues of this honest, illustrious, and timely benefactor of mankind, and hold his memory and character in sincere and high estimation. How delightful and becoming is the token of foreign respect and reverance for our great American, the evidence which it gives us of the existing influence of his name, history, and opinions over the people of other lands. The following extract from Washington's letter to his mother after his battle and defeat under the British general Brad- dock, is a beautiful illustration of the way in which he was accustomed during all his glorious career to acknowledge and reverence the Divine presence of God : He said — " By the all powerful dispensation of Divine Prov- idence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation. I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was levelling my companions on every side of me." The Rev. Doctor Davis, President of Princeton College, New Jersey, said in a sermon delivered on the 17tli day of August, 1755, but a month after the battle, — " As a remarkable instance of patriotic spirit and military ardor, I may point out to the public that heroic youth. Colo- nel Washington, whom I cannot but hope Providence has hith- erto preserved in so signal a manner for some important ser- vice to his country." How wonderfully prophetic was this passage ! We may now add in its accomplishment important services to his coun- try, and to the honor, dignity, and happiness of the human race. Never were the fundamental principles of justice more beau- 14 tifully and perfectly realized by man. Every official act of liis life Avas measured by the square of virtue, and circumscribed by caution and prudence. We may trace his moral character and honesty in all his business transactions. He exhibited great disapprobation against being in debt, and considered it a kind of servitude which all Americans should carefully avoid. He controled his own business, and observed any mistake or carelessness in his agents ; always preferring never to de- pend others to transact business which he could perform him- self. Our wise General was one of the principal financiers of the United States treasury department for more than fifteen years. The dangerous and laborious campaigns of the revolution were attended with great expense and unparalleled sufferings for seven long years, and were endured with patriotic firm- ness and heroic fortitude honorable to the friends of liberty, and worthy of America. The commerce of the United States and other commercial countries have carried American principles and the science of self - government embodied in Republican Institutions, to every country on the globe. Millions of people in various countries are enlightened, made prosperous and happy, by the pure principles and liberal institutions of one of the largest, most prosperous, and oldest Republics in the world. These holy principles were purchased in a dark age of liberty, by the toil, blood, and treasure of American freemen. Our honest General kept an exact account of his expenses in tlie public- service, and exhibited them in his own hand writing at the close of the war, to the full satisfaction of Congress. He refused any remuneration for the military ser- vice he had performed, and honestly decclared himself a wil- ling loser of large amounts of his own private funds which he had paid in the public service for the good of the people of America. 15 Washington at the commencement of his arduous and re- sponsible duties as the first President of the United States, modestly used the following benevolent and patriotic language to Congress : " When I was first honored Avith a call into the service of ray country then on the eve of an arduous struggle for its liberties, the light in which I contemplated my duty required that I should renounce every pecuniary compensation. From this resolution I have in no instance departed ; and being still under the impression which produced it, must again decline, as incompatible to myself, any share in the personal emolu- ments which may be indispensably included in a permanent provision for the executive department." How beautiful did this great principle rule in all his exer- cises of official authority both military and civil. Who ever sustained against him a single charge of injus- tice, or tyranical oppression? Armed with the conscientious rectitude and dignity of his character, he could instantly arrest the insubordination of those traitors who violated their sacred obligations to the bleeding country of an oppressed people in those gloomy years of the American revolution which tried men's souls. Washington justly and tenderly exemplified his noble prin- ciples of even-handed justice, in his own private afl^irs, by his last will, near the close of his glorious career. "All my debts," said he, " of which there are but few, and none of mag- nitude, are to be punctually and honorably paid." He kindly and ardently desired the people to constantly cultivate broth- erly love for each other, and daily practice that Heavenly vir- tue for the safety and happiness of our common country in all coming time. Well may Virginia be proud in displaying the character and examples of her noble son. Thus under conscious rectitude to the great All Seeing Eye, never forgotten, the light of justice shone throughout his life, purely, brightly, and steadily, to the 16 end of his noble career. Nor was he less distinguished by other great principles of justice. Love wrought in him benefi- cence to the needy, forgiveness to the penitent, and led him to put the most liberal and charitable construction on the motives and character of other men. Washington practiced the pure and beautiful principles of friendship to the people, and extended perfect toleration of religious conscience to all mankind. Strong and binding was the cement of his pure principles and political policy. Soft and healing was his course of justice and love to the people. Calm and serene in humble imitation of his Divine master, he acquired the un- paralleled confidence of our then feeble nation struggling for freedom. Grasping, tenacious, and abiding as the purest friendship and charity, he labored day and night to help to place America in the happy condition and lofty eminence which she now holds among the great family of Nations. The pure, beautiful, and sublime principles of Religion were most admirably exemplified in his instruction to his agent while absent with the armies of the United States : *' Let the hospitality of the house with respect to the poor be kept up. Let no one go away hungry. If any of this kind of people should be in want of corn, supply their necessities provided it does not encourage them in idleness. 1 have no objection to your giving my money in charity, and it is my desire that it should be done. You are to consider that neither myself nor wife are now in a way to do these good offices." These perfect principles most beautifully prevailed in all his relations to the people. "Washington passed forty years most happily with the amia- ble wife of his choice. She was indeed an object worthy of his love. Her character was an honor to his name. Exem- plary in her whole deportment, bright in her acts of kindness, unostentacious and sincere in her piety, she adorned every sta- tion in which his increasing greatness placed her. No ener- 17 getic and pariotic general, or great statesina,n, ever adjourned from labor to refreshment to find a happier homo, or a lovlier companion. Well did Washington say to his amiable wife when called to his country's service and again from refresh- ment to labor in the executive chair of state, — I should enjoy more real happiness 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." Our General before taking command .of the army said to Ills patriotic and amialjlc wife,- " It was utterly out of my power to refuse this appoinmeut, without exposing my character to such censures as would have reflected dishonor upon myself and given pain to my friends. This I am sure could not and ought not to be pleasing to you, and must have lessened me considerably in my own es- teem." Washington's love and patriotism were timely and beautifully displayed at New York, while taking leave of his companions in arms ! At noon the principal officers of the army assem- bled. Soon after. General Washington, their beloved comman- der, entered the room. His emotions were too strong to be concealed. Turning to the officers of the army, he said, with a heart full of love and gratitude, — " I now take my leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. I cannot come to each of you and take my leave, but shall be obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand." General Knox being nearest turned to him. Washington, incapable of utterance, grasped his hand and embraced him. In the same affectionate manner he took leave of each suc- ceeding officer. The tear of manly sensibility was in his eye. Not a word was articulated to interrupt tlie dignified silence and tenderness of the scene. 18 Leaving the room tlic General passed through the corps of light infantry, and walked to Whitehall, where a barge was waiting to convey him to Jersey City. The whole company followed in mute and solemn procession, with dejected coun- tenances testifying feelings of the deepest melancholy, which no language can describe. Having entered the barge, he turned to his companions, and waving his hat, bade them a silent adieu. They had expressed to him on a former occasion the distinct answer which their hearts would then have uttered, declaring that they had engaged with him in the service of their country, from the purest love and attachment to the rights and liberties of human nature ; and assured their be- loved General that they reciprocated his affectionate expres- sions with the greatest sincerity of which the human heart is capaljle. Washington when a young man mounted the tower of ofii- cial duty, and ardently labored as a patriot of the American Republic, toiled as a brave soldier in the field ; and soon after the liberties of the people were gained and secured to them, exhibited his statesmanship and wisdom for two terms as the first and second President of the United States. He was emi uently distinguished for his constant modesty and rare fidelity in the performance of every duty to which the United States called him. Supreme confidence was reposed in him by his own noble Virginia at the age of twenty -one years. They clothed him with high and responsible authority, and made liim Commander-in-Chief of the military of his own native state. Soon after his retmm from his first series of military cam. paigns, when yet a youth, " by a vote of the house of Bur- gesses of Virginia, the Speaker was directed to return their thanks to Colonel Washington, on behalf of the Colony, for the distinguished military service which he had rendered his country." As soon as the gallant Colonel had taken his seat, the Speaker, in obedience to the resolution, and following the im- 19 pulses of his own generous and grateful heart, discliargcd the dut}^ with great dignity, but with such warmth of coloring and strength of expression as entirely confounded the young hero. Washington rose to express his acknowledgments for the honor ; but such was his confusion that he could not give dis- tinct utterance to a single sentence. He blushed, stammered, and trembled for a moment ; when the Speaker relieved him by a brilliant and happy rejoinder : " Sit down, Mr. Washing- ton ; your modesty equals your valor, and that surpasses the power of any language that I possess." This beautiful and modest fidelity distinguished his course of action from boyhood to the close of his honest statesman- ship. Washington was eight years in command of the American army, and he is said never to have been absent during that time to visit at his own house. He saw his beloved home at Mount Vernon but once during the war of the American Revolution. On his march to Yorktown, he beheld the home of his youth. Congress conferred on the great Washington the unlimited powers of a Dictator in the midst of the war of the revolu- tion. That august body of wise statesmen thus showed their unlimited confidence in his honesty, vigor, and wisdom. He faithfully discharged the high and extraordinary duties of dic- tatorial powers, to the full satisfaction of Congress. He never shrunk from responsibility during the long and glorious strug- gle of the United States for her Independence. Washington's unassuming modesty, prudence, and integrity are without a parallel. No man was ever more vigilant and cautious in seeing that every thing was properly done. But he was willing that others sliould be the agents and contriv- ers, and every one have the credit and praise of his own wor- thy deeds. " He was a silent thoughtful man," says a grand daughter of his wife, a member of his family. " He spoke but little gener- m 20 ally, and never of himself. " I never," said she, " heard him relate a single act of his life during the war." Bishop White says that although he was often in company with Washington, and frequently had the honor of dining at his table, he knew of no man who so carefully guarded against discoursing of himself, or his acts, or anything pertaining to him ; that a stranger to President Washington would not know from anything he said in company, that our beloved hero and statesman was conscious of the exalted feeling and ven- eration in which he was held by a grateful people. This was the spirit of liis fidelity and modesty from youth to age. Our General stood firm and undaunted amid trials and dis- couragements, and alarming difficulties, with a strong and se- rene mind, looking to God for aid and protection, and putting his trust in Him who constantly rules with wisdom and love the destinies of all mankind. His letters to Congi-ess during the dangerous periods of the war breathe the same determined spirit, and are marked by the same confidence, calmness, and forethought which distinguished him on all occasions. Washington on being asked what he would do in case of the continued success of the British army, replied, " We ^vill retreat beyond the Susquehannah river, and thence if necessary to the Alleghany Mountains." In the cold and dismal winter of 1776, he wrote to the President of Congress, — " My feelings as an officer and a man have been such as to force me to say that no person ever had a greater choice of difficulties to contend with than I have. It may be thought that I am going a good deal out of the line of my duty to advise thus freely ; a character to lose, an estate to forfeit, the ines- timable blessings of liberty at stake, and a life devoted, must be my excuse." To trace this great principle of character in all its mani- 21 fcstations would be impossible. Washington lived, and tri- umplied, and the crowning of his fidelity and patriotism with success and popularity, gives us the right and privilege to meet and commemorate his unparalleled moral honesty and superior greatness. Let all succeeding ages of people throughout this beloved country, and in every clime on the globe, maintain and per- petuate the great and sublime thoughts and principles so hap- pily expounded in his farewell address to the people of the United States. The wise Father of American Liberty, and his superior greatness, is further illustrated in his distinct and constant maintenance of religion. He adorned his profession of Chris- tianity with constant acts of justice and love to the people, and most devoutly worshiped the God of Heaven. Our states- man's whole life was a beautiful display of Christianity, pat- riotism, and ardent love for the increasing prosperity and con- stant happiness of the people. Washington appointed the chaplains of the army, and uni- formly maintained the glorious and appropriate services of re- ligious worship during the war. The chaplains performed re- ligious services among the soldiers in the tented field, and im- plored for them and all mankind protection and constant bless- ings from the God of battles. One of his first orders to the American army was his solemn protest against all profanity. He was constant and persevering in his wise efforts to pre- vent profane swearing and every kind of immorality in the army. Washington piously and ardently desired his compan- ions in arms to implore tlie choicest blessings of Heaven on the people, and constantly look to God for protection. He revered and respected the Christian Sabbath as a necessary, appropriate, and sacred day of rest from labor, the time for religious devotions, and pure social intercourse among the peo- ple, the acquirement of useful knowledge and the glorious prin- ciples of the Christian religion. 22 Washington always attended church on the Sahbath, nnless he was prevented by indisposition. He never visited on that sacred day of rest, or received calls from his friends ; but always remained at home with his amiable wife and family, in peace- ful study and reverential contemplation of the goodness and wisdom of God. He attended the services of the church with profound respect and reverence for pure Christian principles. The records on his orderly sargeants' books exhibit his pm-e attachment and profound reverence for religion. Our hero in ordering the attention of the army to the ap- propriate religious service by the chaplains, says : "The blessings and protection of Heaven are at all tim^s necessary, but especially so in tim'ss of public distress and dan- ger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country. Again he says, " that the troops may have an opportunity of attending the public worship of God, the General in fu- ture excuses them from fatigue duty on Sundays. The Gen- eral is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked prac- tice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice lieretofore little known in the AmerieuU - army, is growing into fashion. He hopes and trusts that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it, and both they and the men will reflect that we can have but little hope of tlie blessings of Heaven on our arms, if we insult it by our impiety and folly." The din of war being ended, and the clash of resounding arms hushed in the blessings of peace, Washington's heart glowed with gratitude to God : and in his general orders to the American army, says : " The chaplains with the several brigades will render thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for His over- ruling the wrath of man to His glory, and causing tlie rage of war to cease amons: the nations." 23 Again he says, — ''I am suro there never was a people who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their aifairs than those of tlie United States. And I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency which was so often manifested during the American revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipresence of that God who alone is able to protect them." Washington's addressess to the various religious bodies of the United States all testify the same feeling and spirit. Ee- ligion in sincerity, but without bigotry, was his principle, — Religion in its pure and soothing spirit, but without sectari- anism, was his joy and delight. Our statesman says in one of his admirable addresses,— " It would ill become me to conceal the joy I have felt in perceiving the fraternal aflcction which appears to increase every day among the friends of genuine religion. It affords an edifying prospect indeed to sec Christians of every denom- ination dwell together in more charity, and conduct themselves in respect to each other with a more Christian-like spirit than they have done in any former age, or in any other na- tion." How beautiful and Christian-like are the following words and sentiments of the great and good "Washington : " If I now could conceive that the general government miglit ever be administered so as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you will be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual bar- riers against the horrors of spiritual tyrrany, and every spe- cies of religious persecution. You doubtless remember that I have often expressed my sentiments that every man conduct- ing himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshiping God according to the dictates of his own con- science." 24 Again, to the Roman Catholics in the United States, he sa3"3 : " You, fellow citizens, will not forget the patriotic part which you took in the accomplishment of our revolution, and the establishment of our government, or the important assistance which we received from a nation in which the Eoman Cath- olic religion is professed. !May the members of your society in America, animated alone by the pure spirit of Christianity, and still conducting themselves as faithful subjects of our free government, enjoy long, temporal, and spiritual felicity." Washington having spoken, written, and acted as a Christian through a long life, and given numerous proofs of his believing himself to be such, and never having said, written, or done any- thing contrary to his profession ; if such a man was not a pure Christian, and justly entitled to be ranked among the believers in Christianity, it would be impossible to establish the point by any train of reasoning. The great Christian principles of persevering fidelity in all his duties to the people and country, shone most conspicuously in him through his long and honest career. Never was a man more conscientious and right in all the great Christian principles and patriotic devotion to the cause of the people, religion, justice and rational liberty. Washington's great subordinating rule of action was based on even-handed justice and mercy. Order and equity governed him and reigned triumphant and happy over his domestic af- fairs. These glorious and patriotic principles prevailed in the American army where our beloved hero commanded, in the spirit of a Christian, father, and patriot. He was beloved and admired by his soldiers, officers, and the American people, Washington filled the chair of state during the first nnd second term of President of the United States, with profound wisdom, unsurpassed moral honesty, and lasting and immortal honor. He ardently labored to improve the people, and called into active labor and useful exercise the feeble and the strong, the timid and the brave, and thus enabled all to grow in knowl- edge and virtue together, and become one in friendship, love, and patriotism. 25 More than a century has rolled away since our beloved Washington was initiated into first degree of ancient Free Masonry, at the city of Fredricksburgh, in the State of Vir- ginia. On the 4th day of November, 1752, he received the iirst great light of organized Free Masonry. He studied the first degree four months, and joyfully learned its glorious principles. On the 3d day of March, 1753, he was passed to the beautiful degree of a fellow-craft Mason, and studied that degree five months, and on the 4th day of August, 1753, he was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. Washington respected and revered the pure principles of this ancient and honorable institution, and studied Free Masonry as a science. He became thoroughly acquainted with the principles of Masonry, and the active and important duties of the lodge, and was soon after elected the first officer of the lodge, met with his brethren, and presided as their Master. Through all his subsequent career he steadily wrought with, and edified his masonic brethren, in the great temple of improve- ment and reform, in which the faithful craftsmen delight to work ; cultivate and improve their minds in the love of God, and the other beautiful and important masonic virtues, wliieli all good Masons ardently cherish and delight to bcliold in tlieir lodges and among all mankind. Washington kept up his Masonic Lodges in the tented field through all the war of the American revolution, and in his day visited the various Lodges in the then thirteen States of America. All Free Masons delighted to recognize him as an intelligent brother and a bright Mason among them. Washington's mortal remains were entombed at Mount Vernon, in the year 1799, with high and appropriate Masonic honors, by the lodge of which he was the First Master, accompanied by an immense concourse of grateful and bereaved people of all classes, whose friendly and becoming deportment on that solemn and interesting occasion, testified kind feelings and profound respect for the character and glorious life of the departed fatlier of American prosperity and universal liberty. 26 Near the close of liis eartlily career he proclaimed to the Free Masons of Rhode Island, the following pithy language and beau- tiful sentiments in favor of this benevolent Institution : " Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the IMasonic fraternity is founded must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of Free Masonry, and to be considered by the fraternity a deserving brother." In one of Wasliington's communications to the Grand Lodge of Free Masons of Massachusetts, he said : '• Flattering as it may be to the human mind, and truly honor- able as it is to receive from our fellow-citizens testimonies of approbation for exertions to promote the public welfare, it is not less pleasing to know that the milder virtues of the heart are highly respected by a society whose liberal principles must be founded in the immutable laws of truth and justice. " To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a Masonic Institution. And it is most fer-\'ently to be wished that the conduct of every member of the Fraternity, as well as those publications which discover the principles that actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the . grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race. Permit me to assure you that I feel all those emotions of gratitude which your affectionate address and cordial wishes are calculated to inspire. And I sincerely pray that the great Architect of the Universe may bless you here, and receive you hereafter into his immortal temple." These w^ere the last words of Washington to the Grand Lodge of Free Masons of Massachusetts. "We may read the principles of Masonry in the manifestations and fruits of the Father of America's life and character. We meet to-day to perpetuate them in their influence and extensive power ; to hand tlicm down as living principles to our successors, and to their children's children, to identify them with his history, and consider his uniform practice of the jmre principles of 27 Masonry among' the most beautiful and sublime acts of the pure character and brilliant life of Washington. Free Masonry taught him many of the pure rules of his uniform and noble action through all his vigorous and useful life. The principles of Masonry and of Washington are the same. On the 16th day of March, 1852, a reniarkable illustration of the extensive veneration and profound respect in which the name of Washington is held by Free Masons in foreign lands, took place at a Masonic celebration in the city of Manchester, England. It was there asserted that Washington belonged to a traveling Masonic Lodge, in the British army under General Braddock, during his military services in the 46th regiment of that army while in America, and that a copy of the Holy Bible used in the lodge by Washington vras in the possession of Captain Child, an oflicer of that regiment. This Bible was brought under a chaste and grand military escort to the lodge of Virtue in the city of Manchester, as an, object of very peculiar interest and veneration. Three times the procession of Free Masons moved in solemn and dignified order around the lodge, the Bible being carried by the eldest member ; and the Free Masons all singing in harmony that beautiful hymn : Holy Bible, book Divine, Precious treasuee, thou art mine." The Masonic lecturer on that interesting occasion said : " We are privileged to handle in our own hands, behold with our own eyes, and to seal with our own lips, that sacred copy of the Holy Bible in which the great and good Washington read with rapture and delight the pure Masonic principles of his lodge. " Was there a heart which did not throb with joy while we joined in procession around this lodge? Was there a voice which did not unite in the chorus while singing that beautiful Hymn which was selected for this occasion ? " Dear Brethren." continued the orator, " we nave enjoyed a great privilege, and it must not become of a. transitory char- acter." 28 How delightful is this token of foreign respect and reverence for our great American ; the evidence which it gives us of the existing influence of his name, history, and opinions over the people in other and foreign lands. Immortal honors are due to the memory, principles, and pure character of Washington. Nations are enraptured with his unparalleled honesty and profound wisdom. The principles of civil and religious liberty, which he and his companions obtained with the price of blood and treasure, are among the greatest blessings to mankind. Washington circumscribed his conduct by the compass oi caution and prudence, and regulated his actions by the square of virtue and justice. The golden trowel reminded him of his duty to God and man, and happily taught him to spread the cement of brotherly love and afiection among all mankind. He always had a glorious mark in view ; through the vain and im- perfect materials unfit for the Holy Temple, among the common rubbish of earth as unfit for use. He never practised the impostor's principles, or demanded wages or compensation where it was not justly due. He preserved his right hand as an instrument of power, love, and protection, and never improperly thrust it into danger. His ear was open to the cries and wants of liumanity and the demands of justice. Washington always exercised great prudence and proper caution while among enemies who appear under the cloak of friendship. His great and pure mind rejoiced while the glorious work of reform was rapidly progressing. The adjustment of tiie Keystone, and the completion of the good work gave the blissful intelligence that the enterprise was completed in triumph and honor. The sound of the gavel continues to hail American freemen to deeds of temperance, patriotism, and never-fading glory. The American people, like the renowned Queen of Sheba to King Solomon in olden times, exclaimed, that the one half had not been told them of the wisdom and greatness of Washington. The great father of American liberty raised his honest eyes in reverence to God, and beheld, with rapturous emotions of joy, 29 the royal arch of Heaven which covered his dear country, where the numerous and choice blessings of kind Providence were spread in rich and varied profusion for the enjoyment and pros- perity of flie people. An Oration said to have been spoken by George Washing- ton, at the age of seven years, at a school celebration in Virginia, his native State. You'd scarce expect one of my age, To speak in public on the stage ; And if I chance to fall below Demosthenes or Cicero, Don't view me with a critic's eye, But pass my imperfections by. Large streams from little fountains flow ; Tall oaks from little acorns grow ; And though I am now small and young, Of judgment weak, and feeble tongue, Yet all great learned men, like me. Once learned to read their ABC. But why may not American soil Rear men as great as Britain's Isle ; Exceed what Greece and Rome have done, Or any land beneath the sun ? May not America boast as great As any other sister state ? Or where 's the country, go far and near, That does not find a rival here ? Or where 's the boy but three feet high, "Who's made improvements more than I? These thoughts inspire my youthful mind To be the greatest of mankind ; Great, not like Ctesar, stain'd with blood, But only great, as I am good. Entered acconling to Act of Congress, in tho year ISflO, by Washington' Gofk, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Xcu- YorI<. J^ 1? jSi^ X:i jE3 AMERICAN REVOLUTION; DISPLAYING A INI A N D A , AS THE HEROIKE OF THE PATKIOTIC LADIES ON THE SOIL OF THE UNITED STATES, AIDINU GENERAL WASHINGTON, IN THE AVAR OF THE REVOLUTION, TO OBTAIN AMERICAN LIBERTY FOR THE PEOPLE. I3y AV^-VSHINGS-TOIS" GJ-OiniT'. CHAPTER I. We open the scene of the following tale on the soil of America, and in the ancient city of Philadelphia, the early residence of the honest and noble William Pcnn, one of the wise and prudent founders of the renowned Quaker City. The subjects and characters displayed in our story will give the intelligent reader some idea of the extraordinary and ex- citing times which tried men's souls, in tlie domestic circles, on the floor of Congress, in the State legislative halls, and on the battle field. We lay the scene of our romantic story in a licauliful coun- try, vast in extent, and embracing the most salubrious climes on the globe — the bountiful gift of the great Author of nature ; a land destined by kind Providence to become tlie paradise of the world ; the home of the unfortunate and weary stranger ; a 32 free republican government, and a fertile soil, giving honest and profitable labor, and a respectable and honorable asylum for the weary pilgrims of every glime. We shall consider some of the political events of the United States, amid the exciting times of the American Revolution, wlien General Washington led the patriot soldiers to victory and glory, and the beautiful Amanda, the patriotic heroine of our story, and the energetic American ladies, were the active and honest com- panions of the hero and Father of Republican America. Thus we commence the following tale, describing some of the political events on the soil of America, amid whigs and tories, friends and foes, daily mingling together in tlie American cities for a long time, while in strong possession of the British army and navy. The people of the thirteen British Colonies were in a poor and languishing condition when the patriots rose in arms against Great Britian, and proclaimed to the world the timely and glo- rious Declaration of American Independence, in the memorable year 1776. The ladies exerted every latent energy of their minds, and noble women became the active and honest companions of General Washington in the glorious cause of American liberty. They helped fight the great and triumphant battles of freedom, by unit- ina: their active and noble minds with the illustrious Patriots and Honest Heroes of Republican America ; they ardently labored to help victual and clothe the little army and navy during the war of American Independence ; they nobly sent their patriotic hus- bands, fathers, sons, and brothers to fight the battles of freedom by the side of our illustrious General Washington ; and they per- formed the domestic labors and transacted the business of the men as well as they could, while the patriots of the American Revolu- tion were performing their arduous and dangerous duties in the army and navy ; and they nobly preserved their property and homes, and joyfully received and kindly embraced their dear com- panions and friends, on their return from the war to their anxious families and consecrated homes. 33 Wc may now give a brief and graphic view of the beginning, progress, and successful advance of the war of our glorious Rev- olution. The battles were fought, the victories are won, and Liberty, the darling child of Heaven, was obtained with the price of streaming blood and treasure in the terrific conflict on the high seas, and on the battle field! Great British ships of war, freighted with all the means of de- struction to human life and property known to the king of Great Britain, blockaded and infested the harbors and cities of the in- fant colonies, and covered the American waters. Marines, sea- men, and soldiers were prepared for exciting and dreadful conflict. The British troops were daily landing on the soil of America, the proud English officers were causing their men to disembark at Philadelphia, and the Quaker City had more the appearance of a military camp than the great commercial metropolis of America. The officers quickly sought and obtained respectable boarding- houses among the private families, and the Quaker women anx- iously inquired of them, "Hast thou come to Philadelphia to take possession of our homes, city, and America ? " The officers who had been quartered in Philadelphia for a long time, received accessions to their numbers by every arrival of the British troops, and they naturally called on their brother officers soon after their arrival, and made the usual polite and necessary inquiries for them. " Thee canst read thy countryman's name on his baggage," re- plied the disconcerted hostess, pointing with trembling finger to the label on a trunk in the hall of her house ; " and thee will find him in tlie chamber opposite thy own." Having uttered these words, Mrs. Holbrook retreated to her sanctuary, to lament over tlie fresh affliction and invasion of her comfort. " Ensign George Prevost, 2d Battalion, Grenadiers," says Gen- eral Goft', reading the inscription. " Ah ! the young guardsman gazetted Ensign, raw from college, good family, and plenty of money. I must offer my services or he may fall into difficulty." 34 The General ascended the stairs. His own apartments looked on the street. The opposite door was ajar, and he peeped within. On the edge of the bed sat a young gentleman with his feet resting on an open trunk ; and on his knees lay a letter. He appeared in a disconsolate reverie. Having taken an accurate survey, the General rapped at the door. " Come in," said a pleasant voice, and looking with a graceful smile of approbation. The General entered the room, and announced his name and rank. " As they," he said, " were likely to become such near neigh- bors, he should be happy to render any service Mr. Provost might desire." A few moments interchange of kind feelings and mutual desires to promote each other's happiness in tJieir new homes, established a friendly intimacy. As Provost appeared dull and melancholy, the General kindly offered to go with him to the theatre in the city of Philadelphia, on the evening of the day he arrived in America. The young Ensign expressed his surprise that such entertain- ments were established in a city abounding, as he believed, with Quakers and other sectarians. " xis to amusements," said the General, " you will find we man- age very well. Philadelphia is a regular built and healthy city. The society is good, and the young men and girls look cheerful and friendly. I have seen much worse winter quarters. I will go and purchase the tickets for the theatre, as no money is taken at the door." The theatre was situated in the suburb of Southwark, near the intersection of South and Fourth streets. The location was chosen because it lay beyond the jurisdiction of the mag- istrates of the city of Philadelphia, who were mostly averse to dramatic entertainments. 35 This fact of course applies to tlie time of its erection pre- vious to the American Revolution. Soon after that memorable struggle for liberty commenced, the theatrical performers dis- persed, some of them taking an active part in a more sanguin- ary strife than the mimic contests of professional life on the theatrical stage. Patriotism led many of them to perform mil- itary services in the camp and on the battle field. In the evening the General and Provost, the young British Ensign, his new acquaintance, sallied forth ; the former in a militar}' undress, the latter in civilian's garb. General Golf informed the young Ensign on their way to the evening's amusement, that the theatre was then in the hands of the British naval and military officers, who both painted the scenes and enacted the characters. The proceeds were consecrated to the relief of the widows and orphans of fallen soldiers ; the boxes and pit were the same price, and the gallery was reserved for the poor and more humble classes, who were admitted at low prices, corre- sponding with tlieir limited means. The General conducted his friend Prevost into the pit, which was the favorite lounge ; the boxes being generally selected by families, or when ladies were in company with gentlemen. All parts of the house were generally well filled, presented a brilliant display, and were diversified by the rich dresses of the ladies, and the gay colors of the naval and military uniforms of the officers. CHAPTER 11. The young Ensign had just left his friends and society at col- lege, parted with his school-fellows and his beloved home to join an army in a foreign land, amid a fierce war and revolution in America, and a hostile country where he had no acquaintance. The officers of the army to whom he brouglit letters of intro- duction and recommendation, were entire strangers to the young 36 Ensign. In tliis condition and feeling he fancied he might find immediate relief, and enjoy much pleasure by once attending a place of fashionable amusement, and seeing a large number of his countrymen, and the distinguished officers of the British army and navy. The excellent performance, the novelty of the scene, and every thing lie beheld in the city interested and pleased his mind, and filled his soul vrith emotions of joy and delight. The young Ensign could not realize the fact that he was in a hostile land and in the city of Philadelphia, but a few hours' march from the rebels' and enemies' camp at Yalley Forgo, and that the environs of the city -vvcre the scenes of frequent military skirmishes ; but he felt as though he was in England amid scenes and society to which he had been familiar. General Goflf, a campaigner for more than twenty years, who had performed military services in many parts of the world, was very indifferent to matters and things which did not immediately aftect his own interest and comfort. But Provost's education, wealth, and popular family excited the old veteran soldier's inter- est, and created a keen desire to cultivate his acquaintance and friendship. The General was remarkably attentive in j)ointing out to the young Ensign the personages whose military rank and popular title ga\c them importance and renown in the Britisli army and navy. The young Ensign pretended to listen to the old veteran's re- marks, but his young heart beat with ardent emotions of love for the beautiful and modest lady who sat with her friends in a fash- ionable theatrical box, in the most popular theatre in the city of Philadelphia, on whom his keen eyes gazed with uncommon inter- est and delight. The box was occupied by one lady and two gen- tlemen. This charming and interesting daughter of America was one of the most active and patriotic ladies in Philadelphia, during the war of the American Revolution. The heart and fancy of the young Ensign was soon kindled into a flame of ardent love. He innocently envied the proud mili- tary gentleman who sat by the side of the modest and patriotic 37 lady. He noticed with pleasure her occasional and modest smiles, and intelligent eyes, as they turned from one brilliant object to another, wliile the interesting characters were enacted alid the splendid scenes rose majestically before her. He ob- served with emotions of sincere pleasure the lady's graceful and .ascinating manner of conversing with her friends ; and lie was pleased to learn of the prudent, reserved, and ladylike manner in which she approached strangers, while performing the duties of patriotism in the arduous cause of American liljerty. The young Ensign hesitated for some time to enquire the name of the interesting and popular lady, lest his friend Gen- eral Goif should suspect and ridicule his loving emotions. But Ids anxiety rapidly increasing, he suppressed his feminine del- icacy, and desired the General to give him the name of tlie gentleman Avho sat by the side of the modest and fashiona- ble lady. " He is Andrew S. Lyon, the uncle and guardian of the young- lady whom you seem to admire.'' " And who is that other gay looking gentleman, in military dress, sitting by the side of the lady in the same box ? " inquired the young Ensign. " Oh ! he is one of us," replied the General, " Sir William Howe's secretary ; his name is Winchester. He holds an ante- dated commission of Adjutant, and has, I believe, some pickings at the commissariat. He plays high and wins and loses with perfect coolness." The amiable, energetic, and honest ladies of Philadeq)hia per- formed wise and vigorous deeds of useful patriotism, amid the most gloomy periods of the American Revolution. Women were the true and constant companions of Washing- ton. They allayed the angry and war spirit among the British officers, by the sweet and fascinating power of music, fashion- able parties, and splendid amusements. The ladies carried into constant effect those wise and noble preventive principles which prevent the effusion of blood, and eifcct the objects of peace and patriotism without the loss of honor or of human life. S8 They performed timely and valuable serA'ices in the holy cause of freedom, unparalleled in history, and highly honorable to noble women. Miss Amanda Jones was a niece to Mr. Lyon, and a mem^ ber of his family. He was a wealthy and respectable merchant in the city of Philadelphia, during the war of the American Revolution. Mr. Lyon in due time cheerfully and honorably became the guardian of his niece, the beautiful Amanda — the heroine of our story — the orphan lady, and one of the most energetic and brilliant patriotic women in the holy cause of liberty on the soil of America. Amanda possessed a strong and vigorous physical constitu- tion, which she never impaired or injured by neglect or impru- dence. Health, beauty, and love sparkled fi'om her pleasant eyes, and her fine form and graceful movements rendered her person attractive and lovely. Her imagination was bright and fruitful ; all the faculties of her young mind were early devel- oped, and cultivated at the best schools in the city of Phila- delphia. Amanda's intelligent and amiable mother imparted to her young daughter all the principles of honest industry, temper- ance, and patriotism. She then kindly and prudently gave the heroine of our story the first lessons of religious piety and love to God, and good will to all mankind. She very piously in- structed her promising daughter in the pure principles of our holy religion, and desired Amanda to practice those lovely and sublime principles in their purity, as they gently fell from the lips of the great and holy Teacher of all truth. She desired her amiable and young daughter to cherisli and practice these rich and pure principles througli life. Amanda's wise and prudent father taught her all the lessons of Avisdom necessary for her in the enterprises of the day. He imparted to his young and amiable daughter the rich lessons of an enliglitened father's respect and wisdom. He bestowed on her the richest tokens of a kind father's enduring love. He desired liis bright daughter to employ every prudent means to enjoy the rich bounties of Providence, be guided and sustained by tlie wise and beneficial laws of health, and keep her physical sys tern strong and active, and prepare it to sustain a clear and vigous mind. Amanda's wise and sagacious father informed her that a re- markable jDolitical crises was at hand in tlic affairs of the United States. Great British ships of war, deeply laden with officers, sailors, marines and soldiers, and fully freighted with the implements and numitions of war, would soon infest Amer- ican seaports, paralyze commerce, and add- to the fears and pecuniary wants of our then infant and bleeding country. The roar of British cannon would soon be heard in the dis- tance : the bright musket and bayonet, and the gleaming sword, would glisten and dazzle and bid hostile defiance in the hands of Britons on the soil of America, Woman's love, patriotism, and war stratagem would soon find an active and prosperous field of necessary labor ; but it would be bloodless and help to secure the much needed and glorious boon of American liberty. Amanda matured well her plans of military defence, by pre- paring and encouraghig fiishionable and chaste amusements for the British naval and military officers ; and drew their attention from preparing to shed American blood on the soil of the United States. American ladies co-operated with Amanda, in performing and executing well matured plans of defence, without causing the effu- sion of blood. American gentlemen and all true lovers of liberty bid her God speed. Most of the British officers soon learned to enjoy popular amuse- ments and attend them in compliment to the American ladies, instead of preparing to fight tlie rcl)els under Washington, amid their impoverished homes and country. 40 CHAPTER III. " Is there much play ? " asked Prevost. " To be sure," replied General Goff, " What is there to do in winter ? A few officers manage the Philadelphia theatre. Would you believe it, Gugy S. Taylor is a thorough soldier and a skillful and accomplished young officer. He is quick, laborious, and sure to accomplish his wise objects, and notwithstanding liis active duties, yet he painted that beautiful and splendid drop scene. It could not be done better in Covcnt Garden." " But who are )'ou looking at so intensely ? " said the Gen- eral, smiling. " Oh ! I presume the lady in yonder fashionable theatrical box, the niece of Mr. Lyon." "What! an American lady?" exclaimed Provost in sur- prise. "Yes — a real American lady," replied the General. "You, my young Ensign, must have formed your notions of Philadel" phia I suppose from geography and spelling books, where ximer- ica is illustrated by the engraving of an Indian savage." "Oh! General, my friend, "exclaimed Prevost, "do tell me the name of tliat modest angelic looknig lady in yonder theatrical box ; her sweet and intelligent looking countenance fills my eye and animates my soul." " It is Miss Amanda Jones, one of the Philadelphia beauties, a respectable orphan young lady, a modest, energetic, and Amer- ican patriot." " This evening's entertainment," says Prevost, " is sweet and delightful. My mind revels in rapturous emotions of joy." "His majesty the king of Great Britain sent me," said the young Ensign, " to America, to fight the Yankee rebels and pat- riots in the new world. But how can I draw my sword and order my English countrymen to destroy or even injure a people whose principles are right and honest, as those of the United States? How can I fight the brothers, husbands, or sons, of the intelligent and beautiful ladies of America?" "Well, well, Prevost," said the General, "you seem to love 41 very enthusiastically ; you arc becoming quite Americanized in- deed among these shrewd Yankees in the United States. Tlic American beauties and patriotic ladies seem to captivate your young heart, and they arc in a fair way to occupy more of your time than the military camp and the king's service. But then, dear Ensign, as we are professional gentlemen, we must obey Sir William Plowe's military orders ; the science of arms must not languish in our hands ; ^ve must at least keep up a good show of loyalty to his majesty our British king. We may all remember tlic history describing how Johnny Bull used to bluster about and bellow in America more than eighty years ago, yet the American ladies mildly carried into efiect their honest preventive principles against war, and in favor of an honorable and speedy peace. Mild language, honest and proper arguments were used, accompanied with sweet music, fashionable parties in cities and villages, and a variety of popular and public entertainments, which the British officers paid for, while the ladies modestly and cheerfully drew the fighting and war spirit out of their minds. The patriotic Amanda constantly took the lead among the American ladies in planning and executing the principles and wise policy of peace. In this timely and honorable enterprise the orphan young lady rendered constant services to the United States, during the struggles of the people and the toils of the poorly clad and hungry soldiers, "wliile gallantly fighting the bat- tles of freedom. While Amanda and the xVmerican ladies were amusing the British officers at parties and fashionable entertainments. General Washington and the American Congress were gaining time to increase the continental army, and obtaining money, food, and clothing for the suffering soldiers quartered on the soil of America. Prevost, who so much admired the appearance of Amanda, remarked to the General, that "he presumed Winchester, the officer who sat by her side, laid anxious siege to the distinguished lady." 42 " No doubt of the truth of your surmise, Prevost ; yet there is a good chance for a rival. He who honorably succeeds in win- ning the approbation and confidence of the orphan young lady, the lovely and respectable Amanda, may enjoy much bliss, and the friendship of the good people of the land." " I believe," said the gallant General, " tliat Miss Jones has no affection for Winchester, and only accompanies him occasion- ally to a place of popular and fashionable amusement as a good neighbor." Amanda was a shrewd manager, popular with the nobility, and the first and most fashionable classes of the people and good society in Philadelphia. Her adroit and successful mode of at- tracting the officers of the British army and navy from their du- ties by attending theatres and other fashionable places of public amusement, induced a large number of the officers to neglect planning or preparing during the winter for a spring campaign ao-ainst Washington. CHAPTER IV. The young Ensign had handled more books at college thau swords and muskets on the battle field ; and attended more fashionable parties in England, heard more sweet music in the popular halls of commercial cities, than the roar of cannon amid the slain, and the numerous victories of bloody and desperate wars. He approved of the friendly, active, and honorably policy of the American ladies, in carrying into quick and successful opera- tion the mild, humane, and effective preventive principles of truth and patriotism. The veteran General Goff, who had fought during the fierc- est and most desperate wars on the Eastern Hemisphere for the last twenty years, thought there was more power and bet- ter influence in woman's love to gain an honorable peace, than could be found in the force of swords and cannons. 43 The young Ensign agreed with the veteran soldier's notions of love, and verily thought that his long and active professional life and the science of arms gave him clear and lucid views, and entitled his honest expressed opinions and sound judgment to the most respectful and profound consideration. Prevost frankly admitted that " he was happily disappointed with America. The sufferings of the people of the infant and scattered colonies had greatly increased for many years." The young Ensign believed the cause of the American people was just and holy, and commanded the honest sympathies of the world ; and tliat the British government and people had been most wickedly misled against the Americans, and the political and religious objects they were laboring to obtain. The General observed his experience in America, and a thorough examination into the political causes of the unfriendly feelings and disastrous war which afflicted the colonies, causing blood to flow on the soil of America, was all wrong, and that the holy principles of peace ought to triumph over war. CHAPTER Y. "Are you particularly acquainted with Amanda's uncle and guardian ? " inquired Prevost, with much earnestness. " Neither uncle nor niece," replied General Goff, with much com- posure. " As I said before, dancing after these dashing ladies is quite out of my line ; a cup of tea or coffee, and a friendly chat with my landlady when she is prosperous and happy is far more to my taste. These beautiful and fashionable ladies are so kind and fascinating, as to induce their friends to supply them with money and all the luxuries they may desire." " The ladies merit much attention and constant and profound respect, and it requires time, skill, and money to gratify them, and supply their reasonable wants." " There, now," said the General, " you see that gentleman in dark green uniform, leaning against one of the pillars ? " 44 " Yes," replied the young Ensign, " a rifleman 1 presume." " That 's Colonel Taylor ; and if you seek a model for your conduct as a soldier and a gentleman, choose him. He came over from Enland like yourself a young grenadier, and although he is but a few years older, already stands high in the confidence of Sir William Ho^Ye, and now commands the king's rangers. Taylor's promotion has been rapid, but then he seldom goes to balls, parties, or theatres ; and never to the gaming house. As you perceive he is equipped for the field ; and perhaps after mid- night lie may be seen skirmishing with the rebel trooper Pulaski beyond the northern suburb." " He has the sharp and clear appearance of a soldier, and a genteel and commanding figure," observed the Ensign. " Well, now, Prevost, Adjutant Winchester has as much talent as Colonel Taylor, but he spends his days seeking after the heart and hand of a lady he thinks has the qualities almost of an angel ; and he spends his evenings in trying to break the faro bank, or setting up one himself. His intrigues were useful be- fore the British forces occupied Philadelphia. But Sir William Howe is getting tired of him. The Adjutant employs more time in his own private affairs than he devotes to his majesty's service. Therefore take Taylor as }-our model, and }'ou will not remain long Ensign of Grenadiers." The young Ensign readily admitted the timely and good advice of the General ; but he preferred seeking the graceful and lovely charms of Amanda, to all the honors which the king of Great Britain could bestow on him in the army. Tlie heart and affections of the lovely and patriotic Amanda would produce an earthly paradise for the young Ensign. It might suit the military feelings of an old veteran soldier in his majesty's service, like his friend General GoflT, to advocate strict military discipline and the valor of the soldier. But the young Ensign had good reason for believing that tlie honest, patriotic, and pure principles of brotherly kindness, v/ould pro- duce enduring love and the kind spirit of justice. But war produces the destruction of property, liberty, and 45 life. It does not auimato and develop the pure principles of love and justice. "A permanent and honorable peace," said the patriotic Amanda, " could only be established between the United States and Great Britian, on the holy principles of even-handed jus- tice and brotherly love." The young Ensign had good reason for believing that the lovely Amanda, and the other patriotic and energetic ladies in America, Avere doing the United States good service, in diverting the Britisli ofTiccrs from preparing to shed American blood on the battle field. They induced the king's naval and military officers to spend their money among the Americans, and attend fashionable parties and popular amusements. This course of action diminished the strength and efficiency of the British army and navy in America, and had a tendency to lead the troops of the English army, and their naval forces to insubordination, mutiny, and desertion. Amanda, looking at the fashionable company with great sweetness of temper, and her usual modesty, remarked " that she had always found that just, prompt, and constant preventive principles, were sure to produce the most happy and prosperous results. That she was rejoiced to learn the noble sentiments wliicli had just fallen from the lips of a generous British officer. And she had good reason for believing they were sincerely felt and shared by a large number of the king's officers and men in America." Miss Amanda thought it right to encourage the ladies to progress with mild means and just measures, and ardently la- bor, to produce that glorious peace, which the patriots and General Washington cordially approved, and even British offi- cers applauded and admired. 46 CHAPTER VI. Prevost, the young British Ensign, retired to tlic lobby near the outer door, as soon as tlie theatrical performance was over. Soon after, Amanda, the heroine of our story, whose fasci- nating appearance and modest beautiful countenance had created in the mind of. the young Ensign so much fanciful pleasure and anticipation of future happiness, passed gracefully by him leaning on the arm of Adjutant Winchester, on her way home to her uncle and wealthhy guardian's splendid mansion in the eity of Philadelphia. Prevost was again enraptured by the delightful appearance of the charming object of liis first admiration on the soil of America. On passing from the theatre to the outer door amid the fashionable tlu'ong to her carriage, Amanda dropped her large Avhite handkerchief, on which was tastefully printed, " Miss Amanda Jones, the Orphan Lady, Philadelphia Beauty, and energetic American Patriot. Presented by General Washing- ington and the Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, as a token of the people's respect for her early and constant patriotism in the holy cause of American Liberty." Amanda stopped at the door of her carriage for a few mo- ments in painful solicitude for the loss of her white hand- kerchief. At length the patriotic lady's anxious mind was suddenly relieved by the appearance of a splendid looking well dressed young gentlemen, approaching her with great anxiety of coun- tenance, through the crowded and popular throng. He ap- proached Amanda with all the chastcncss and dignity of the most polished and accomplished gentleman, and holding the wliite handkerchief in his hand before the gratified lady and her friends, observed that he had picked it up near the foot of the stairs which she had just descended, and instantly discov- ering her name on it, he had done himself the pleasure to return it to her without a moment's delay. 47 Amanda's mind instantly changed from the sadness and sus- pense into which it had been thrown by the loss of the token of the honest and patriotic friendship of her fellow-citizens and General Washington, for her exertions to promote the long- desired liberties of the people of the United States. Amanda's countenance instantly exhibited the most delightful spirit of gratitude and friendship. Every feature of her beau- tiful face gave evidence of an intelligent mind, and a soul full of love for the immediate relief and happiness of oppressed and suifering humanity. This amiable and respectable young- lady, with almost angelic sweetness of voice and lovely counte- nance, respectfully desired the gallant young gentleman and stranger in the city of Philadelphia, to have the goodness to give her his name. " George Prevost, Ensign 2d Battalion Grenadiers, just ar- rived from England, in his Britannic Majesty's military service at Philadelphia," answered the young Ensign. " You will," said Amanda, " have the goodness, sir, to accept my grateful and sincere thanks for your kindness on this novel occasion, and allow me the pleasure to hope that circumstances may soon change the character of your professional and military employment, and that a just and honorable treaty of peace may be concluded, and soon ratified, between your country and our bleeding, suffering, and very dear America. It will give me pleas- ure to do you any honorable or proper favor, which the vicis- situdes of life and the fortunes of war will enable me to per- form. But you will, I trust, rejoice with me and my fellow- countrymen, and your associate brother officers and friends whom this novel affair has detained, in the joyous hope that circum- stances may never make it your professional duty as a British officer to shed the innocent blood of my dear American country- men. May it never, sir, become a fact that the soft and delicate hand of the young British officer, who has so courteously restored to me the white token of General Washington's friendship and approbation, should ever find it a professional duty to draw his bright and keen sword, and slay a single son or daughter of 48 America ; or that the sweet and smooth voice which so kindly- informed me of a circumstance wliich gives me innocent pleas- ure, should ever find it his duty to order his British soldiers to kill my dear countrymen on the soil of America." The young- Ensign bowed most respectfully to the lovely Amanda, in honest approbation of the kind words and patriotic sentiments which had just fallen so gracefully from her lips, in so much sweetness and ladylike dignity. The patriotic Amanda then waving her splendid white hand- kerchief, and bowing most gracefully to Prevost, the young Brit- ish Ensign, and the respsctable audience who had so kindly stopped to witness the novel circumstance, and looking on them with the most cheering and intelligent countenance, kindly bade them all " good night." The fashionable audience, most respectfully waved their hand- kerchiefs in honest token of their friendship, and bowed with respectful smiles of sincere approbation to the patriotic and angelic looking Amanda while gracefully stepping into her car- riage. The beautiful and modest orphan lady was then quickly conveyed with her uncle home to the splendid mansion of Mr. Lyon, her rich and respectable guardian in the city of Phila- delphia. The popular and fashionable audience then retired to their dear homes after having been delighted with the chaste and agreeable amusements of the evening. CHAPTER VII. As soon as Prevost had recovered from his first and happy interview with the lovely and respectable Amanda, which we have just described, he cast his keen eyes around to find his friend General Goff. But he had gone home during the young Ensign's happy and chaste revelry with the popular and respect- able company, and the amiable, patriotic, and orphan young lady. 49 This novel afTair proved unfortunate for the young Ensign, as he had forgotten, amid the excitement of the evening, the name of his landlady, and the street and number of his new boarding-house. And not having the General to guide him as he expected, commenced wandering through the city in hope of finding his new boarding-house. But he soon found himself em- barrassed. While walking round the corner of a street, where he fancied the boarding-house he so much desired would soon meet his eye, a posse of men surrounded him. As he was unarmed he considered resistance improper and dangerous, and therefore submitted himself a prisoner. " You must go with us to the guard house," said the leader of the men in a smooth, gentlemanly voice. " I am an officer in the British army," said Prevost, " and you will do well to let me pass without fuj-ther delay." " I shall be happy to accommodate you, sir," said the leader of the men, " on your giving me your name and quartci^s." The young Ensign instantly gave his name, Imt could not recollect his new landlady, or the street and number of his new boarding-house. The leader informed Prevost that he was a citizen of Phila- delphia, and acting under the instruction of Sir "William Howe. It was his duty to arrest any person found walking at night without a lighted lantern, between the evening beat of the tat- too and the morning revielle. So many disturbances and rob- beries had been committed at night, that the British general, then in possession of the city of Philadelphia, left tlie preserv- ing of tlie peace to the citizens themselves, who performed the duty of patroling the streets by rotation. That the General's orders required his posse of men to conduct the Ensign to the king's guard house, where the officer in command might feel it liis duty to discharge him from the arrest. Prevost was aware that his difficulties would end at the guard house, and he of course be instantly released, and then kindly conducted to his quarters. But the experience of a college life. 50 and tlio opposition between the students and city authorities, and the dread of being vanquished, induced him to believe that his brother officers would ridicule him, if he should suffer him- self to be forced to the guard house. Open resistance to su- perior force was out of the question, so he resolved on strata- gem. As the young Ensign feigned a willingness to accompany the civic patrols with cheerful submission, no restraint was imposed on his person. He was suffered to walk quietly by the side of the captian. They overtook a gentleman in British military uniform, and Prevost instantly resolved to claim his assistance. But the officer suddenly pushed open a door, near the sidewalk, and en- tered the hall of a spacious house. The young Ensign, the prisoner, instantly followed him, and quickly closing the door on them, turned the key on the patrols. Prevost followed the officer up a handsome well lighted flight of stairs into an ante-room. The military gentleman showed no surprise at the entrance of the Ensign. Prevost considered the place was a coffee house, or other public resort. But while following the gentleman officer into an inner apartment the porter interposed, and said he did not remember the gentleman's name. As soon as Prevost had given his name, rank, and regiment the door was thrown open, and he was admitted into a saloon where about one hundred gentlemen, mostly in British military, naval, and undress uni- forms, were congregated around several billiard tables. In an adjoining room he found a number of faro tables, surrounded by British officers and other gentlemen, busily play- ing the silly games, and trying to break the faro banker who presided. The third apartment was the refreshment room, where every thing rare and costly was spread to allure the eye, and grat- ify the natural or artificial tastes of the gamblers, and the 51 innocent and unsuspecting men they allured to these unholy and damning places of sin and immorality. Prevost walked leisurely around the saloon among the proud and deluded gamblers unnoticed by them. These places of temptation and wickedness demoralized many well meaning men, and robbed them of their money, mind, and reputation. But these fortunes of war were turned to good account, in helping to terminate the war of the American Revolution. In proportion as the British officers, sent to the United States to subdue or destroy the rebels under General Washing- ton, neglected their duty in the British army and navy on the soil of America, the king's forces were weakened ; and Washington and his compatriots in arms gained time and means to prepare and defeat the English red coats. Many British officers found Brother Jonathan and the Amer- ican people such fine fellows that they could not bear to fight them. The officers did not like to leave their military de- partment, camps, and vessels of war, to fight the hungry and poorly clad soldiers in the continental army. They preferred learning fashionable plays for the theatres, and giving popu- lar dramatic entertainments. Tlie king's officers had rather paint the scenery for the the- atrical professions, than fight the brave Yankees in the Uni- ted States while struggling for their freedom. After driving the performers from the stage by the sword and bayonet, and neglecting their military duties to their king and royal master, they proudly became the managers of the theatres, saloons, and other places of amusement and public resort The officers enacted the characters and performed the plays. Intemperance, neglect of duty, and bad and unholy princi- ples, are the most prominent causes which produced the failure and defeat of the military and naval forces of Great Britain, while warring to subdue the people of the United States. But these errors and misfortunes are some of the effects of 52 war, and remind us of the liistorical facts that the means em- ployed to oppress or injure a person, or a people, often defeat the parties while laboring to rob any human being of the en- joyment of the gifts of a wise and gracious Providence ; and frequently give victory, right, and enjoyment to individuals, governments, and the people whom the oppressor seeks to de- stroy. History proves that in every age of the world where the wild, visionary, and wicked are left to pursue their own unholy course of action, the means they empoly to injure others in due time generally defeat their unholy objects and often destroy themselves. General Washington's for seeing sagacity enabled him to clearly forsee the results and consequences of the British pol- icy and conduct. While their strong fleets and proud armies infested the harbors and soil of America, the wise Father of American liberty and prosperity retreated with his little suf- fering band of patriots, saved their lives, and the small supply of continental arms and munitions of war, and most admira- bly carried out and enforced his wise preventive principles, and secured liberty and prosperity to the suifering people of America. Amanda and the other patriotic and noble women of Amer- ica co-operated with General Washington, and carried into constant effect his timely and wise preventive principles. The historian, and every thinking and reflecting mind, can form some Just idea of the injurious results of war. They may use every honorable means in their power, and impart knowledge, cultivate pure friendship, and carry into constant effect those wise preventive principles, which so happily pro- duce uniform prosperity, and the blessings of peace on earth and constant good will to all mankind. 53 CHAPTER VIII. The young Ensign knew but little about the military camp ; but his studies at college had qualified him for active life, and enlarged his mind with useful knowledge. His thinking and reflective powers of mind enabled him to make improvements in his own business, and perform the du- ties of his profession of arms. His mind was brilliant and commanded respect and admiration. Suffering humanity was the same to his young heart wher- ever it existed. His associations among refined and religious young ladies, had been very extensive during many years while pursuing his studies at college, Prevost's mind was instructed and enlightened in the spirit of temperance in all things, hon- est industry, and that pure love for the happiness of all man- kind which freely flows from the noble patriot's heart. The young Ensign read something of the state of American affairs, and the condition of the continental army under Gen- eral Washington, while he was sailing over the Atlantic on his way from England to Philadelphia to join the army. He drew a contrast. The continental army under General Washington excited the kind and generous spirit of pity from the newly arrived young officer. The soldiers were in great want and destitution for the ne- cessaries of life. Tehy suffered in winter for wholesome food and warm clothing. The American rebels against tlie British government excited the timely sympathies of many of the offi- cers of his majesty's army and navy. Some of General Wash- ington's patriot soldiers were encamped and quartered during the winter at Valley Forge, near the city of Philadelphia, in wooden huts cemented with clay and mud. Straw thrown into bunks made of rough boards, composed the beds of patriotic soldiers. Many of them were reduced in their clothing, and only possessed a few old and nearly worn out tattered garments, and a Ijlanket secured around the waist with a leather belt. 54 The little suffering band of patriots under General Wash- ington were in constant danger of being driven from their rude huts at Valley Forge, amid the severe storms and frosts of winter, by a powerful, well fed and clothed British army, who were in strong possession of the city of Philadelphia, and quar- tered in comfortable buildinors with fires and all the necessaries and comforts of life. Many of the patriot soldiers marching through New Jersey without shoes, on the frozen ground in December, were liter- ally tracked by the blood of their feet. Sir William Howe was too generous to fight the little suf- fering band of American patriots. The proud, gallant, and generous Britisli officers and soldiers, seemed unwilling to pre- pare for a spring campaign against General Washington. The British fleet and army were so comfortable while they held military and forcible possession of Philadelphia. Amanda and a large number of the industrious Philadel- phia ladies, made the British officers so happy at the fashiona- ble parties and splendid amusements got up for them by the ladies in the Quaker City, that the officers sometimes almost fancied that the war had ended, and the army returned to their comfortable stone barracks on the soil of Great Britain. And the officers sipped their wine, and drank the good old British ale, to the everlasting good health of his majesty their honored king. Amanda, the energetic heroine of our story, thought a mild, honorable, bloodless victory fairly won, was the cheapest and best for America. She was opposed to the effusion of inuv cent blood, and she hoped that circumstances would soon lead to an honorable and early peace, and enable all the royal blood to return to England as pure as it landed in America, and with all the improvements which Republican principles had produced on their military minds ; and the refinement and patriotism of the American ladies exhibited before them, while 55 they were in hostile array against the pure principles of self- government and Republican Institutions. In due time the war Avas ended in triumph and honor ; and a joyous peace was proclaimed on the wings of a glorious morn, and wafted on the gentle zephyrs of Heaven over the soil of America, to gladden and rejoice the sons and daughters of pure liberty : and the memorable and glorious events in the cause of freedom, adorn the proudest and most admired pages of American history. America had no human life to lose ; and Johnny Bull had no cause to complain of Brother Jonathan, if all the royal blood in America should at no distant day be so fortunate as to return, and quietly dwell on the ancient soil of Great Britain. Many of the British officers fancied Amanda the angel of America — the beautiful goddess of liberty, the embodiment of pure American patriotism. They admired the American ladies for their shining virtues and elevated patriotism ; and Amanda, as a brilliant and re- spectable leader in the cause of freedom, and the bright star to lead her countrymen to employ mild and just means to ob- tain the glorious boon of civil and religious liberty on the soil of America. The officers considered the ladies far more beautiful, amia- ble, and lovely than General Washington's poorly clad soldiers. His majesty's gallant officers and soldiers did not like to leave their comfortable winter quarters in the city of Phila- delpeia. The theatres, musical concerts, and parties got up for them by the patriotic ladies, produced rapturous emotions of joy in the minds of the British officers. These gallant and high minded warriors soon acknowledged their preference to remain at their comfortable winter quarters in the city of Philadelphia. They considered it mean to quarter large and powerful armies and fleets in the United States, and fight to 56 subdue the American people to British rule, and exorbitant and oppressive taxation on the industry of a small and poor population of people, struggling for the enjoyment of their inalienable and natural rights. They considered it beneath the dignity, honor, and justice of high minded British officers, to fight a suffering, brave, and industrious people, amid a gloomy wilderness, and surrounded by hostile Indian savages in the new world — a noble race, descendants of Great Britain, and the best blood of Europe coursing through tl:keir veins, beating with the noble sympathies of a common and pure brotherhood, and flowing freely at every generous j)ulsation of all American hearts. Those shrewd officers, the flower of his Britannic majesty's army and navy, did not like to go astray in an enemy's coun- try, and leave such splendid and respectable amusements fur- nished them in the city by the patriotic Amanda and other American ladies. They did not like to leave Philadelphia, where they enjoyed so much pleasure, for the vulgar skirmishes with the rebel patriots, or take the chances of war, amid the whirlwinds of dust, or the cold storms of winter. The British officers desired to encourage fashionable amuse- ments, and pay tlieir money so easily obtained from the king, their royal master. They desired to help keep the mechan- ical, and all other honest and good business, lively in Phila- delphia. Some of those fashionable officers were fond of having their whiskers beautifully adjusted, and their moustache nicely twis- ted, so as to please that portion of the ladies who were fond of seeing such refined and exquisite ornaments on the faces of fashionable gentlemen. Many officers were fond of keeping up popular and old fashions, and having their wigs beautifully powdered and kept in aristocratic style, and let everything remain in the fashion of that early day, and pay liberally, like gentlemen. These resolutions and popular fashions pleased the ladies, 57 who were anxiously engaged to so far occupy his majesty's officers' time, as would prevent them from ordering the Brit- ish fleet and army to fight the patriots on the soil of America. CHAPTER IX. Amanda very adroitly drew a contrast between the plea- sures and respectability of a city residence, and toils, dangers, and fortunes of war. She advised the officers not to have any war skirmishes with Generah Washington and the iVmerican rebel soldiers in the Uni- ted States ; but always keep more fashionable company ; and besides those rebel patriots living in mud huts, might pos- sibly run out of their earthly tenements, and sting Johnny Bull's soldiers with the rapidity and poison of a mad hornet. Amanda was shrewd and energetic in all her movements. She had rather the British officers would spill wine than American blood. Her policy was to prevent Sir William Howe from fighting the American patriots. She labored to help the ladies to divert his mind from making military preparation for a spring campaign against General Washington and his suffer- ing patriot soldiers. Amanda and her lady compatriots made his Lordship, and the officers of the British army and navy, as happy as possi- ble in the Quaker City. The ladies' stratagem worked most admirably. General Washington's army was weak and unable to oppose and drive from the soil of America the powerful and well drilled British armies and fleets. But he reverentially trusted hi the God of battles, and relied on the justice of the pat- riot's holy cause of freedom. The people relied on the intelligent mind, strong arm, and heart of General Washington to guide tlicm to victory, lib- erty, and glory. Their minds were encouraged and invigorated 68 by tlie timely sympathies of more tlian five hundred thousand American Queens. The noble hearts and religious minds of patriotic mothers were raised in fervent and pious ejaculations to the God of Heaven for the progress of the principles of pure liberty. Noble women's prayers were reverentially offer- ed up in pure love, to 'the great Dispenser of all good, for the prosperity of the glorious cause of freedom. They made clotlics with their own hands for the suffering little American navy and army. Women fed the famishing sailors and hungry soldiers as much as. they could, and they performed overt acts of patriotism and duty when help was most needed. American Queens worked with their own hands, and labored themselves for suffering humanity, religious rights, and political freedom. Glorious and lovely women of the United States! your precious names and noble deeds of patriotism are embalmed for posterity with the tears and pure love of Washington. All the immortal patriots of the American Revolution, and millions of the friends of pure liberty on the soil of Europe and America, cheerfully and unitedly revere the memory and shining virtues of the noble women who labored and toiled for freedom, in those gloomy years which tried men's souls. All rejoice in the blissful contemplation of the blessings which Heaven's last and best gifts to man bestow by their industry, temperance, and labors of love to continue the bless- ings of liberty to the people, and publish them for the pros- perity and happiness of the world. Africa raises her feeble voice, in memory of noble women's glorious deeds of patriotism and humanity. Asia sends fortli her mighty powers, and millions of the en- lightened people of that ancient country praise and admire the love and patriotism of American women. And enlightened and patriotic Europe vie with the nations of the earth in praise and grateful remembrance of the timely exertions and persevering industry for universal liberty by the lovely and patriotic women of America. 59 CHAPTER X. While Prevost, the young British Ensign, was engaged in deep reflection in the saloon on the character of the plays, and the extensive system of gambling, which had become so popular among the British officers and others, and the large number of military men in full uniform around the saloon, his eye was suddenly attracted to one of the faro tables, where he saw Adjutant Winchester, one of Sir William Howe's sec- retaries, presiding. He recognized this popular officer as his rival for the heart and hand of the lovely and patriotic Amanda. The young Ensign soon learned that it was a custom among the well informed, daring, and most reckless military game- sters to assume the post of banker at the faro table, and play against all persons entering the saloon. The system was so arranged as to enable the banker at the faro table to make large profits ; and if he had money sufficient to with- stand ill-luck, and an occasional run on his purse, he often made money and gained much applause. But on this occa- sion fortune did not favor Adjutant Winchester ; he was losing money and good temper ; but he continued playing until he was compelled to acknowledge that his exchequer was ex- hausted and his faro bank broken. Winchester was not in a proper state of mind to bear re- verses with composure and humility. His success as an offi- cer had uniformly crowned his great efforts with all he desired. The capacity of his mind was weaker, and he was less able to bear defeat. At this period Winchester took from his finger a diamond ring, which he declared was worth fifty guineas. Circumstances created in the mind of the young Ensign an ardent desire to obtain the Adjutant's diamond ring. Prevost therefore staked fifty guineas. The turn of the cards in the banker's hands declared the young Ensign the winner, and he instantly took possession of his long desired diamond ring. 60 Their eyes met, and Wincliester recognized Lis antagonist. A shade passed over his countenance, but it was immediately succeeded by a playful smile. * I '11 try my luck once more," said Winchester, looking anxiously at the young Ensign, " if I can borrow the money." A murmur of disapprobation instantly arose from the gen- tlemen present. It had become an established rule among the officers to limit the hazard of players to their present re- sources ; that there should not be any borrowing or lending; or playing on credit, for the reason that during the early part of the winter so many officers had been forced to sell their commissions to pay their debts of honor, that many a young man, whom his parents or guardian had provided a commis- sion with an expectation that he would advance in his pro- fession, and earn an honorable support, instead of so doing was compelled to return to the United Kingdom penniless.. They became the victims to a scourging vice which the com- mander-in-chief unwisely tolerated, and even practiced himself. The partial remedy was at last adopted, that no gentleman should be permitted at one sitting to lose more moiiey than the contents of his purse. The young Ensign discovering a cavalry officer, inquired o ' him if General Harrington was present. "You are now speaking to him," answered the gallant offi ecr. "^revest then handed the General a letter of introduction from his father, and he read it with a cheerful smile. '"Why, George," exclaimed the General, while seizing the young Ensign by the hand, " I am, indeed, glad to sec you. I was interested in your features five minutes since. They arr the reflection of your father's face. But he would certainly," added the General, in an altered tone of voice, "have pre- ferred I should receive his son in a quieter and more moral place thiin this saloon." George, the young Ensign, kindly received the General's ad- monition, and felt himself timely reproved for imprudently 61 staking his money at the faro table, although he won from Adjutant Winchester his valuable diamond ring. You must think, General," said George, with a blushing countenance, " that I have undergone excellent training at Alma Mater when you find me in this gambling saloon, so soon after landing on these shores and joining the British army in America. But I found my way into this saloon by the force of peculiar circumstances which would not be likely to occur again in the life-time of the most prudent officer." "I have no doubt of it, dear George," replied the General, with an archly smiling countenance. " And you won Adju- tant Winchester's diamond ring by the force of extrac^dinary circumstances." " But listen to me for a moment, dear General," said George, with much anxiety. The young Ensign then gave the General an eloquent state- ment of his adventures, from the time of his embarcation in England with the troops on board of a British man-of-war for America, and his successful landing at the city of Philadel- phia. But George carefully avoided saying a word to the General about his early admiration of the beautiful and lovely Amanda. " Well, well ! George," resumed the General ; " Winchester, Sir William Howe's secretary, is a dangerous fellow, and there- fore the less you have to do with him the better." [to be continued.] 63 JAPAN— COASTING TRADE. An immense and profitable inland and coasting trade, is car- ried on between the numerous and fertile islands of Japan. Thousands of Japanese fishing smacks and boats sail among the extensive group of islands in the Empire, and keep up a constant trade and social intercourse among that class of the people who follow the fishing business; and those who transport produce, coal, wood, goods and property, from one island to another, and between the villages, towns and cities of the Empire. We are considering a great, remarkable, prosperous, and civil- ized Empire, living and supporting itself by its own internal re- sources, industry and domestic commerce. The Japanese are said to have carried on a prosperous and vig- orous coasting trade, and other profitable branches of honest and lucrative business, agriculture, and manufacturing, among them- selves, for the last two thousand years. Their connections in social intercourse and commerce with foreign nations and people, have been mostly limited to China, Portugal, Holland, England, Corca, Java and Formosa. We shall hereafter make a brief historical statement of the com- mencement, progress, and extraordinary circumstances attending the social and commercial intercom^se of these ancient nations with Japan. HILLS Japan presents to the traveler a hilly ana picturesque appear- ance along the coast of a part of the Empire, and some places appear rough and barren. This corresponds more or less with tho appearance of many other countries, when viewed from the ocean, but does not afford any proof that the interior is rough, hilly, or poor. Some mariners and others, while sailing near the Japanese sea- shore, expressed their opinion that the Empire was generally rough and hilly, because it appeared so along some portions of its coasts ; but that is no proof, and only mere conjecture, uttered without any knowledge of the facts. It is said that no printed history has ever been published of any European or American traveler in the interior of Japan, or other reliable information ; and it is therefore a matter of conjecture of what the face of the country is, and the general appearance of the interior, because it has long been the settled policy of Japan to exclude all foreigners from traveling on her territory, or acquiring any information of the Empire Avhatever. VALLEYS. It has often been asserted that Japan is a hilly and mountainous country ; but of course where there are hills and mountains there must be valleys or plains between them ; and if there were no hills or mountains, there could be no valleys or plains ; because it is only by comparison and contrast that we distinguish the one from the other. So we distinguish colors by comparing the one with tlic other, and in like manner we know and distinguish objects of sight and feeling by comparison ; so we know day and night, and darkness and light, wherever we see them ; truth and error, friends and foes, summer and winter, heat and cold, and determine the difference betwen them by the use and power of the five human senses. So we have good reason for believing that there are a large number of fertile and beautiful valleys in the Empire of Japan, moistened and made productive, in part, by the pure and rapid streams of wholesome water, perpetually gushing in beauty and granduer from the adjacent hills and lofty and majestic mountains. LAKES. It is said that beautiful lakes and pure waters are produced by the God of Nature in many parts of the Japanese Empire, which are surrounded by highly cultivated fields in the fertile valleys 65 and on the hills, producing a great variety of agricultural pro- ducts, which delight, nourish and enrich the peoj^le. Some of these beautiful lakes are connected to rivers and bays by artificial canals for boats and vessels in the coasting trade of the Empire. Many of the lakes have no visible outlet, and are bountifully supplied by powerful and living springs, which gush up out of the bottom and sides of the delightful and smooth crystal waters. And the other lakes seem to be great reservoirs to hold the wa- ters of the limped streams, which so beautifully flow out of some of the hills and lofty mountains of the Empire, and meander majestic- ally along between the romantic hills, until their clear and health- ful waters fall into the bosom of placid lakes. MOUNTAINS. Among the mountains of Japan, Fudsi Jamma is the tallest, and holds the most conspicuous rank among the wonders of nature. This lofty mountain lies to the westward of the bay of Jeddo, and rises to the majestic height of about twelve thousand feet above the level of the ocean ; and its summit is covered with perpetual snow, and presents in the distance, a magnificent appearance to the enraptured and astonished beholder. It is said that this grand and majestic mountain was once an ac- tive volcano ! How terrific and exciting must have been its vol- umes of smoke by day, and its vivid flashes of fire by night I PAPER. The Japanese manufactured paper, it is said, near the close of sixth century from the bark of mulberry trees. Most of their writing and printing paper is good for general use, and much of it is very fine, and a superior article. The bark of the mulberry is believed to be generally used in Japan for manufacturing paper, and the leaves for feeding the silk 66 worms while they make the cocoons from which the silk is manu- factured. The mulberry is therefore held in high estimation among the people, and is always in great demand. It is a source of immense wealth, and great quantities grow wild in many parts of the Empire. But it is highly cultivated, and its fine and supe- rior qualities have been very much improved. PRINTING. It is said the art of printing was known and practiced in Japan as early as the year 1206, when Marco Polo and other Europeans first heard of that great Empire, while traveling in China. And it is asserted that books were printed and read with much interest by the people, and so the demand rapidly increased, and the facili- ties for printing improved, and the school books and those for gen- eral reading were sold at Ioav prices. The city of the Micado is one of the principal places in Japan where the literary men reside, and write and print the numer- ous books which have so long supplied the millions of Japanese with a great variety of reading books, and they are sold cheap at all the villages, towns and cities in the Empire. Books are printed on fine and high priced paper, and bound in elegant style for the rich and fashionable of Japan, and sold to them in great quantities, and at high prices. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. It is said that public schools were found in successful operation among the Japanese all over that vast Empire, when the Europe- ans landed on its territory and settled there, in the year 1545. And the children, and adults of all ages, sexs, grades and condi- tions, it is said, enjoy the privilege of attending these public schools, without any charge for tuition, books or stationery. And the rudiments of a common school education are said by the Ja- ])anese to have been taught by them in their public schools for the last thousand years. 67 The laws of Japan are said to require the parents to send their children to the national public schools, and acquire an cducatiou at the expense of the Empire. The people generally, are believed to be well educated, temperate, industrious, and highly civilized. ACADEMIES. When the Europeans entered Japan in the year 1545, they found four prosperous academies in and near the great city of Miako, and each containing from three to four thousand pupils- Tliese, of course, were large schools compared with these of tlie thin and spare population of America. But when we call to mind the fact that as the traveler proceeds westward he discovers the population grows less in numbers, and as he travels eastward he finds the people generally increase in wealth and numbers, and a dense population dwell on the soil of most of the eastern countries ; and so we may account for the academies in Japan being so much larger than those in America. And on further enquiry, the Eu- ropeans soon found that prosperous academies existed in most of the villages, towns and cities, and were informed by the Japanese that these noble institutions of polite and useful learning had been in successful operation for more than a thousand years* COLLEGES. It is said that colleges existed and flourished at an early day in Japan, and were found in successful operation in many of the cities of that great and ancient Empire, when the Europeans commenced their settlement there in the year 1545. And the Japanese say tliese most excellent institutions of the highest branches of educa- tion, have been imparting their numerous blessings to the people of their country, from time immemorial. 68 MUSIC. The Japanese are passionately fond of music. The samsic, or guitar, is a popular instrument of music among the people ; and most of the young ladies of the fashionable and first class of society are instructed on the guitar, and use it as an acompaniment while singing, at their social and popular parties. The lady guests sing sweetly and play the music on the guitar by turns, in the social and popular parties, at the dwelling of their friends. The chaste and fascinating appearance of the musical la- dies at the parties, the soft and sweet voices which so admirably perform the splendid Japanese music, and the delightful perform- ance on the guitar, produces the most pleasant and joyous sensa- tions on the happy and social parties, and keeps friendship and harmony in the minds of those who attend them, and qualiiies these popular and happy throngs to impart the choice and harmo- nious blessings of music to the people of their common country. PAINTING. The Japanese excel the people of most other countries in the art painting, and representing nature in single objects. They are correct in detail, and represent an object in nature so clear and truthful as to delight the mind and even astonish the enraptured beholder. Their representations of birds and flowers surpass all other ar- tists, and their deleniation of fruit and other natural objects, are among the best on our beautiful and majestic globe. Landscape painting is not as well understood among the Japan- ese artists ; but their drawings of single objects are very good, and their coloring perfect. European and American artists are said to frankly admit the Japanese colors are unrivalled in beauty and magnificence. Their sketches are bold, and full of life and the sublime gran deur of universal nature. They seem to almost speak to glorious humanity, and remind the people that they were graciously and 69 kindly ushered into life, by the hand of the God of universal nature, for the good of every human being who breathes the genial air of heaven. ASTRONOMY. The Japanese have made great progress in astronomy, and have long possessed a good knowledge of that instructive and wonderful science. They use the English astronomical instru- ments with great facility, and understand how to employ them to good advantage. Their ingenious and trusty mechanics have manufactured good imitations of these instruments; and excellent thermometers, barom- eters, telescopes and chronometers, are in common use among the Japanese. They make correct and learned astronomical observations, and calculate eclipses to a mathematical certainty; and publish a very learned yearly almanac, at Jeddo and other cities, displaying as- tronomy and many of the arts and sciences for the general benefit of the people of the empire. They have translated a number of the best Dutch astronomical works into their own Japanese language, and have long possessed a good and extensive knowledge of that great and noble science, derived from their own long and careful study and experience, and by examining the learned and popular scientific works of other civilized and favored countries. AGRICULTURE. The noble and popular branch of useful and profital)le industry — the foundation and constant source of wealth and Inunan happi- ness — which is known by the endearing and majestic name of agri- culture, has long been persued by the Japanese, with great indus- try and success. The lands of the empire are mostly highly cultivated, and the manner of tilling them produces a good harvest. And although 70 much of the land is hilly and mountainous, yet it is believed that most of the soil, except the timbered land, is generally well culti- vated to the top of the hills, and even far up many of the grand and lofty mountains. The farmers produce an immense amount of food for the masses of the people, which finds a steady and constant market. They cultivate the vast amount of provisions demanded and con- sumed by the millions of people in the great empire ; and they grow the raw material for the manufacturers of Japan. They raise cattle, hogs, horses, and a species of buffalo, and an immense number of fowls. As they date their origin as far back as two thousand five hundred and twenty years, they must have had plenty of time and long experience to qualify them to cultivate their lands in the best way, for their own benefit, and for the universal good of their common country. HOGS. Hogs were first obtained from China, and a few of them are kept near the coast of Japan, and they thrive and grow finely, and fatten easy and very fast. But, like the Jews, most of the Japanese have long had a prejudice against the flesh of those ani- mals, and it is said that only a few of the people have eat any pork for more than two thousand years ; and it is principally sold to the Chinese sailors who are fond of that rich and wholesome arti- cle of substantial food. SHEEP AND GOATS. The Dutch, in the year 1609, ex])orted a few sheep and goats from Holland to Japan ; but as the people did not know how to manufacture the wool of the sheep, or the hair of the goat, and as the religious creed of Buddhism forbids its believers to eat the flesh meats of animals, the sheep and goats were considered not 71 wortli their keeping, and it is therefore believed that few, if any, of these animals now exist in the empire. But it is said that some of the princes of the Japanese Embassy while in New York, on being informed of the growth and great value of sheep and wool, and the immense amount of woolen goods manufactured in Europe and America, and the profits of the enterprise, as well as the enjoyment of the clothing it produces, .said the people of Japan needed woolen clothes for their warmth and comfort ; and on their return to their native country and em- pire, they would inform the Emperor — their royal master — of the existence and value of the immense number of sheep, and recommend his government and people to import large numbers of sheep from America to Japan, and manufacture woolen goods for their wearing apparel, and for exportation from their country to foreign climes. TEA. The tea plant was introduced and cultivated in Japan and China about the beginning of the ninth century, and progressed slowly, like many other new and poorly understood enterprises ; but in due time, as its use and value became better known, the demand for it of course increased, and its cultivation was there- greatly improved, and the quantity enlarged to supply the increas- ing demand. » The demand and supply has of course been regulated by the wise and necessary laws of trade among the people who cultivate, buy, sell and consume tea, until the tea plant has been so largely in- creased in its growth and production in China, Japan, and a few other countries, as to supply the extensive and constant demand of this fashionable luxury among the people of the globe. Large portions of the soil and climate of the southern part of Japan are said to be very favorable to the cultivation of various kinds of good and valuable teas. And many large plantations are devoted to its cultivation, and even the hedges and waste 72 lands on many farms, are said to be used for cultivating the tea plant with good success and uniform profit. Large quantities have long been produced and consumed in Japan. But the people of the year 1860, happily witness the importation of teas to Eu- rope and America, which are grown on the soil of the far distant empire of our singular and curious new neighbors on the the other side of our ponderous and beautiful globe. But as the Japanese have so long kept themselves secluded from the people and the Christian nations of Europe and America, the latter nations know but little about the amount and quality of tea which has been grown in that ancient empire, since its introduc- tion and cultivation, in the beginning of the ninth century of the Christian era. But Japan having recently opened by treaty her ports to the friendship and commerce of five of the greatest nations on the globe, and guaranteed to them by treaty perpetual friendship and commerce with her great empire, she will find her tea, silk, copper, coal, and all her other trade, constantly and more rapidly increas- ing, until the industry of her people, and the vast and concealed resources of that ancient empire, shall enrich her people and all the Christian countries of the globe, and more rapidly advance friendship, commerce, and God's holy love among the erring and fighting nations of the earth. The civil and foreign wars and difficulties in China have less- ened their means of producing a sufficient quantity of teas to sup- ply the increasing demands of the people of the globe -, and these facts and other circumstances may soon induce the importers to send their orders to Japan for teas, and thus induce the people composing our new neighbors of that great and ancient empire to increase their cultivation of teas, and prepare themselves to sup- ply the increasing demand for that extensively used article of luxury. The American states and territories fortunately possess every variety of soil and climate on the globe, and millions of acres of land in the southern and western states, it is confidently believed by thousands of our best and most intelligent citizens, would grow '73 the tea plant to great perfection, if it should be cultivated with equal care and skill as it has been done in Japan and China. And it is hoped and believed the people will soon petition the Congress of the United States, to provide for and encourage the importation of the tea plant, and its seed, to be cultivated witli care and skill, in the most congenial climate, and on the best adapted lands for its successful growth on the fertile soil of Amer- ica. And we predict that the time is not far distant, when the tea plant will be extensively and successfully cultivated, on the best adapted lands, and in the most salubrious climate in the southern and western states of America. And we have reason to believe the time will soon come, when intelligent people will look back with regret on their long neglect to cultivate the tea plant, and supply their wants, instead of send- ing millions of dollars every year for the last century, to China to pay for teas, which might have been produced on the soil of America, and so have kept the money in the United States to pay for the labor, and cultivate the tea plant for the consumption of the people, and for their profitable exportation to foreign coun- tries. This plain common-sense policy and wisdom would have prevented much embarrassment among the people, and helped to save our common country from many failures in business and bank- ruptcies over the land. We hope that the United States will cultivate on their own soil, a supply of tea, coffee, and other luxuries for their own consump- tion, instead of draining the country of so large an amount of its specie every year, and thus crippling commerce and producing numerous failures, and keeping thousands of poor people out of employment, when they might cultivate all the luxuries which are used in the United States, and so keep the gold and silver in America to pay for labor, and thus help to make people wealtliy, independent and happy. Christians and others send their gold and silver to China, and buy their tea and other luxuries, and the Chinese are said to make images and false gods of some of the American gold and silver, and worship them instead of the true God of Heaven. 74 And Christians and others send the Holy Bible, missionaries, gold, silver, and opium, to China, in the same ship. The opium poisons, debilitates, and injures the people more or less who use it, and they get little or no value for their money, but great inju- ries by using it. The gold and silver are perverted from their wise uses, and afford the heathens means to manufacture images and idols, and encourages them to worship false gods ! But the missionaries of pious hearts, and of good and intelligent minds, labor hard, suffer much, and reform and christianize many who have degraded and injured themselves by using the opium forced on them by Christian nations, at the point of the bayo- net, and before the gleaming sword ! SILK. The Japanese of wealth and high rank when imprisoned for crime and a violation of the laws of the empire, are re- quired to weave the best and highest priced silks, while they are confined and guarded in the factories and prisons on rocky and desolate islands. This punishment, and being deprived of their property, titles, honors, and required to support themselves by their own in dustry while closely and constantly guarded in prison, consti- tute the principal punishment inflicted for many of the high crimes in Japan. The best Japan silks are superior to those manufactured in China, and it is said that the government have long since prohibited the sale of silks for exportation out of the Japan- ese empire. They have great facilities for manufacturing all kinds of sewing silk, and silk goods to a very large extent, and the people of Europe, and America may well anticipate a great and profitable trade with this hitherto long secluded people. A large number of consumers of silk and other goods in the empire, it is said, have been opposed to the operation of 75 the new treaties of friendship and coniuicrcc concluded and ratified since the year 1853, between Japan and the United States, England, France, Holland and Russia, because the open- ing of the ports of Japan to the trade and coninicrce of these five great Powers, has advanced the prices of silks and other goods, and therefore the consumers in Japan have paid a much higher price for their family supplies. But we believe this il- liberal feeling will gradually give way to a more enlightened and just policy. The people who are small consumers, and the manufactu- rers, and a large portion of the more enlightened consumers of the Japanese domestic goods, when they see more clearly the benefits of the trade with the five great commercial pow- ers of Europe and America, they will cease to oppose the treaties of friendship and commerce, and realize the benefits, and then give some good evidence of their approval. MILK, BUTTER AND CHEESE. The Japanese were making no use of milk, butter, or cheese, in 1853, when Commodore Perry made the first treaty of friend- ship and commerce on the part of the United States with Japan ; and it is said that few of the people of that ancient empire have ever made any use of those three healthy, nu- tricious, and nourishing articles of food. How strange the contrast between the. great powers of habit and custom in Europe and America, and that of Japan in this important and particular case — the former making constant and general nse of these fine articles of food, and considei them among the substantials of life, and ofteu. number them among the luxuries which adorn the rich man's table. They are large items of commerce among the people of Europe and America. But as Japan has opened her commerce to five of the great- est maratime nations on the globe, the wonderful civilizing and 76 rapid revolutionizing powers of commerce, may in due time quietly change to some extent the habits and customs of the people of Japan, and incline them to cheerfully follow the examples and habits of the people of Europe and America, and so eat milk, butter and cheese, as articles of food among the people of the old and great empire, and in due time pro- duce a large surplus of these rich and popular articles of food, for extensive exportation from Japan to the far distant and friendly climes of other nations. RICE, BARLEY AND WHEAT. Japan produces the best rice in Asia, and is the chief grain used by the people for food. Barley is used for feeding cattle and horses : but wheat is considered of but little value, and is principally used for soy and cakes. Now we know that wheat is one of the great staples of Europe and America, and an important article of food and ex- tensive commerce, and possessing great value for broad and other kinds of necessary and wholesome food, which the peo- ple of these two great and rich portions of the globe, w^ould be at a loss how they should get along, and live well and luxuriously, without wheat flour. What a wonderful state of things habit, custom, and preju- dice produces, among the Republics, Kingdoms, and Empires, as to the choice and use of food, and principles, policy, and action. THE SHIP BUILDING AND FOREIGN COM- MERCE OF JAPAN. It is said that Japan for a long time previous to the rash and cruel expulsion of the Portugese and Japanese Christians 77 from tlie empire, in the year 1639, built aud owned ships and other kinds of vessels, after the European models, for their trade and commerce witli China, Corea, Java, Formusa, Por- tugal, Holland, and England. But soon, after that extraordi- nary and frightful event, the empire made most severe and cruel laws to prevent the Japanese having any further moral, religions, political or commercial iutercosure with any foreign nation or people on the globe, except a small and limited connncrce with China and Holland ; and that was so restricted and shackled as to make the trade and intercourse inconveni- ent, and exposed the people of those nations to great hard- ships and humiliation, in consequence of a lack of friendship and confidence. Any intercourse among people which is not founded on jus- tice and moral honesty, and conducted in the pure spirit of reciprocity and enlarged friendship, with a fair prospect of pro- ducing substantial prosperity and uniform happiness, is sure to result in great injury and disaster to the active parties so interested. It appears that the policy and proceedings of Japan in so abrubtly stopping her profitable trade, have produced but little if any friendship, nor laid the foundation for connnercial pros- perity, nor promoted the lasting safety and benefit of her an- cient and extensive empire. She hastily adopted an expensive, illiberal, and unnatural national policy, when slie abandoned all commercial intercourse with every nation and people on the globe, except a small and humiliating trade with Holland and China ; and to accomplish this unnecessary and strange object, the Japanese empire de- stroyed or sold her navy and her means of physical defence and protection, and sold or destroyed her merchant vessels. And to cap the climax, the Emperial government decreed that no more vessels should be built, purchased, or used for for- eign voyages, or any other commercial transactions out of the empire, and thus reversed the order of everything, and finished the mad and premature destruction of their foreign commerce 78 with the nations and people with whom they had long en- joyed social intercourse and profitable trade. And the government fm'ther decreed that no Japanese should ever leave their native country, or return to the empire on pain of death! They completely broke up all social and friendly intercourse with foreign nations, and destroyed the commerce of the peo- ple of foreign countries with Japan ; and it is said the design of this expensive and unnatural political policy was intended to strengthen the powers of the government, and so insure its permanence and usefulness in all coming time. But it appears that the nations of Europe and America have pursued an entirely opposite course of policy and political ac- tion ; and encouraged by every possible and fair means the extensive and friendly intercourse of the people, and universal commerce among all the nations of the globe. So on the other hand, we see that Japan suspended by every possible means the operation of commerce — the grand and rapid civilizer of mankind — and the sad and injurious results arc known to the world. But America and Europe, under the influence of the benign and glorious Christian principles, encouraged friendly inter- course among the people, and promoted commerce — that noble and rapid civilizer of the human race. And it has been con- stantly and kindly working, and promoting friendship and uni- versal prosperity, which affords an example worthy of imitation to all surrounding nations. ENGRAVING ON WOOD. The Japanese engrave wood-cuts, and produce a great vari- ety of beautiful and superb prints in water colors. These and other splendid specimens of genius and art may be seen in the public and private libraries of the people, and in tlie magnificent palaces of the princes and noblemen, and around the emperial throne of Japan. 79 They are curious and .ingenious engravers on wood and bamboo, and produce the best and most splendid engravings on them of any people or artists on the globe. American and European artists are said to frankly admit that the Japan- ese surpass and excell them in their engravings on "wood, and and its kindred substances. Their representations of objects are true to nature, and, as it were, almost speak to the de- lighted and enraptured beholder. LACQUERING WOOD-WORK. The art of lacquering wood-work is understood and prac- ticed by the Japanese artists to the greatest degree of perfec- tion of any people on the eastern or western hemispheres. They select for this interesting object the finest wood of fir or cedar, and use the rhiis vernix, a most excellent gum, taken from a tree which grows in many parts of Japan, and is very valuable for mechanical purposes, and is in general use among those curious people. They ornament this fine varnish with rich figures and flowers of gold and silver, and manufacture screens, desks, caskets, cabinets, and other fashionable and splendid articles of rich- ness and granduer. The best specimens of these productions of art remain in Japan, but the next best samples may be seen in Europe and America, in all their splendor and surpassing beauty. ENGRAVING ON COPPER. The Japanese have the best and largest quantities of first rate copper of any nation on the globe. And their artists have recently renewed their energies, and applied their skill to engraving on copper more extensively tlian formerly, and pur- sue it with so much skill and industry, that their improve- ments are likely to produce the happiest and most beneficial results to mankind. oiiA.Tio:isr ON THE ANNIVERSARY BIRTHDAY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST DELIVERED BY WASHINGTON GOFF, A MEMBER OF THE KOTAL AECH CHAPTER OF THE ANCIENT AND HONORABLE FRATERNITY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS Brethren of the Ancient and HonoraUe Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons i Ladies and Gentlemen, — We are assembled on tliis glorious day, to celebrate the anniversary, birth, and character of Saint John the Baptist, the herald of the Saviour of the world. He piously proclaimed to the people, the coming of Him whose life was devoted to the best interests of glorious humanity, and the salvation of the human race. He came preaching to the people in the wilderness of Judea, and urged them in the spirit of pure love to repent of their sins, for the kingdom of Heaven was at hand. He exhorted them to prepare for the com- ing of the Lord of Glory, who proclaimed, in sweetness and love, peace on earth, and good-will to mankind. His appearance was mild and persuasive, and his noble heart was a fountain of pure love, sending forth brotherly kindness and holy truth for the benefit of all mankind. His pious mind, lovely soul, and amiable disposition, gained him the admiration of the people, and the pure love of his Divine Master. He proclaimed in meekness and love God's holy Gospel and truth to the world, principles lasting as earth and splendid as Heaven. He taught the people supreme love to God, as pure as it descended from tlie blissful abode of seraphic angels, while praising their divine Eedeemer in realms of heavenly light and glory. Ho imparted truth and love to 82 allay tlie bad passions of the human heart, and raise the moral and religious sentiments above the angry feelings, and thus enable men to govern themselves, and use the mental powers which kind Providence had given them, to advance the prosperity and hap" piness of the human family. Our Patron Saint ardently and piously taught the people, to cultivate the principles of pure friendship, and render timely jus- tice to all men, and keep the moral and religious principles of the soul active, and above the angry feelings of the heart, so that the glorious principles of truth and God's loving-kindnesses, might guide the world in the spirit of justice and pure love. His wise instruction kindly leads mankind, to imitate the peaceful character and amiable disposition of our Supreme Grand Master, whose loving-kindness teaches them to do right and act justly to all men without the coercive power of cruel laws, or acting under the slavish terror of force and fear. He admonished the people to be guided by the pure principles of morality and God's holy religion, and act fairly and honestly with each other amid all the changing scenes of human life. Would that all men might constantly cultivate the holy princi- ples of our Patron Saint, and promote peace and friendship among mankind, and enjoy the numerous blessings of kind Providence • Would that guardian angels, when they bear men's sins to Heaven's chancerj on high, might drop one sorrowing, pitying, forgiving tear, and blot them out for ever ! We rejoice to celebrate the birth-day of St. John the Baptist, m the pure spirit of brotherly love, in this great ani beautiful city. And we are glad to sympathize with our Masonic brctliren, wheresoever dispersed around the globe, while they mingle to- gether in the spirit of pure Masonic love, and display tlie benevo- lent and holy principles of our ancient Institution, and tlie glo- rious character of our Patron Saint. And we joyfully hail the annual return of the day which enables Free Masons and all other good people to meet together as honest and intelligent friends and fellow-citizens, and unitedly enjoy the pure blessings of civil and religious liberty on the soil of America. 83 Free Masons are glad to meet tliclr neiglibors and fellow-coun- trymen in the kind spirit of pure brotherly love, and rejoice with tlicm at the growing- prosperity of the glorious institutions of our connnon country. The holy principles of our patron Saint, and the genius of an- cient Free Masonry, and the advantages of this time-honored and benevolent Institution, will engage the attention of this intelligent and respectable audience for a short time on this interesting and happy anniversary. We shall consider the ancient origin, rapid progress, and glo- rious advance of the pure and holy principles of Free Masonry. It is due to the good people of this enlightened community, and all who dwell on the soil of America, that our craft should pub- lish and proclaim its great fundamental principles, and describe the genius of this ancient Institution ; because we are protected by the laws and government of the country in which we live, and share the friendship of the people, and the generous confidence of a nation of freemen, It is a delightful and glorious science. The prudent Mason who studies, and well understands, the prin- ciples of our Society, can easily discriminate between the secrets of Free Masonry and the genius and fundamental principles of the Institution. The pure and benevolent principles of the order are coeval with the Avants of mankind, and date their divine origin back to that auspicious period when God said, " Let there be light, and there was light." Masonry received its first organized form at the building of King Solomon's Temple. Solomon, l^ing of Israel. Hiram, King of Tyre, and Hiram, the great and good artisan of Solomon's magnificent Temple, were the three first and most eminent Grand ]Mastors of Masons in Jerusalem, at that memorable and interest- ing era in the history of the Institution. Our Jewish Masonic Brethren therefore dedicate their lodges to King Solomon ; but Masons professing Christianity dedicate their lodges to St. John the Baptist and to St. John the Evangelist, because they were the two first and most eminent Christian patrons of anicent^Free Masonry, saints imparting purity and holy love to mankind ; the 84 tars of Divine light to glorious humanity, and messengers of peace, and pure love to the world. They are bright and shining lights of that pure and holy religion which enlightens and instructs the minds of all who diligently ponder its cheering truths, which re- lieve mankind from the miseries of sin, and proffer them the richest treasures of endless fruition and never-fading glory. These patron saints, possessing all the noble and useful Masonic virtues, may well engage the attention of every Mason, and joyfully lead the fraternity to follow their holy principles and glean lessons of loving-kindness from their blessed words. Masonic principles teach the members of our craft to revere and adore the Supreme Architect of the Universe, and humbly bow with meek and honest reverence at His Feet, and prostrate ourselves with religious homage at His holy altar, and raise our souls in fervent ejacula- tions to Him who rules and governs the destinies of mankind. Masonry teaches our craft to be industrious, temperate, and honest, with every human being who breathes the genial air of Heaven. The principles admonish Masons wheresoever dispersed around the globe to work diligently for their own bread, and be prompt, honest, and faithful in their engagements, and most religiously perform their contracts ; to pity the sorrows of suffer- ing humanity and relieve it if in their power ; and to use every latent energy of tlicir souls to relieve and instruct the unfortunate of every clime beneath that bright and shining sun, whicli con- stantly imparts its light and heat to the earth, for the support and happiness of every living creature who receives life and bless ings from the Supreme Architect of the Universe. But, says the objector, if Masonic principles are as good and use- ful as you have described, why do not Free Masons open their lodges, and cheerfully admit all men ? "We answer, because all men have not applied to Masonic lodges for admission. Masons have a book of Constitutions and By-Laws, which direct them to act on the pure principles of the order, and admit no candidate to the benefits of the Institu- tion unless he be a good man, and a worthy citizen, and possess all the necessary qualifications required by the prudent and just rules of Masonry. 85 But, contiuuGS the objector, if Free Masonry is a good institu- tion, why do lodges hold their meetings in secret? If there is any thing good in it, why do not lodges throw open their doors, and let the world knew all their secrets and profit by Masonry ? We answer. Because Free Masons best understand the working and secret influences of the Institution, and the great advantages of its secrets. The pure and sublime principles of the order have been pub- lished to the world for ages in our Masonic books. The Holy Bible is full of the principles, and strongly justifies and commends secrecy. Masonic secrets constitute a perfect and complete lan- guage, by which one Mason can make himself known to another or to a lodge, and entitle himself to the immediate benefits of the, Institution. By the aid of its secrets a Mason can make himself known instantly in war, and on the battle-field, or when he is sick, or in prison, or in perils among strangers in a foreign coun- try, and command immediate relief from a brother Mason. If Masonic secrets should be published to the people and fixU into unskillful hands, they would lose their value and be of no use to the order, or the world. God has always been well pleased with secrecy, and graciously imparts His holy secrets to mankind, as soon as the people need these great blessings, and are prepared to use tlien: Our supreme grand Master bestows His holy secrets on mankind through His prophets and the writings of Moses, and describes the secret working of His Holy Spirit in the immortal souls of men. God reveals His precious secrets to the world through His beloved Son and His holy Apostles. In duetime He made known to mankind the secret influences and effects of the magnetic needle, for the improvement and perfection of navigation, the extension of commerce, the general advance- ment of civilization and useful knowledge, and the more rapid in- crease and spread of pure religion. The existence of North America was a secret unknown to the civilized world for thousands of years ; but always known to God. 86 In due time our Heavenly Father graciously moved the mind of Columbus to discover our happy land, and make known to the people of the Eastern Hemisphere the secret existence and loca- tion of the New World, so that millions of God's dear children might dwell in peace on tlie soil of America, and partake of the rich and numerous bounties of Providence and be happy. Columbus, filled with hope and confidence in the new and haz- ardous enterprise, sought aid from Queen Isabella, after having been refused assistance from rich men, and many of the kings and courts of Europe. Spain's noble daughter quickly furnished the great navigator with the desired means, and freely gave liim all her gold, and pledged the precious jewels of her splendid palace and magnificent throne, and divested her royal person of diamonds of inestimable value, and pearls of great price, to secure the loan of more money to fit out the heroic Columbus for his novel and unpopular enterprise. She then pledged the honor and energy of a noble woman, and the integrity of a royal lady, that all tiie ex- penses of the great and hopeful discovery of America should be promptly and honorably paid. This kind office of pure sympathy and integrity of heart, so peculiar to noble woman, was timely exemplified. The amiable Queen, under a far-seeing Providence, became the principal sup- porter of the great enterprise. Columbus and his companions sailed from Spain. God graciously guided his little fleet of three small vessels across tlie boisterous Atlantic. America was dis- covered ! Mankind rejoiced ! Angels shouted for joy that human- ity had been so timely and richly blessed! Providence kindly preserved in secrecy this beautiful, rich, and boundless country, and in His own good time wisely provided for the speedy deve- lopment of the vast resources of the Western Hemisphere. He guided with His Fatherly care the oppressed millions of people from the Old World to America, and graciously permitted our beloved country to become the home of the poor, and an asylum for the oppressed of every clime. Next in the order of time God graciously imparted to man the important secret of Steam Power, and directed Fulton, and other wise and energetic minds, to form machinerj'', and bring the dis- 87 coYcred power to tlie practical use of man ; tlius giving motive power to machinery, and supplying tlie increasing wants of the people around the globe ; propelling vessels with unparalleled speed on the bosom of the long rivers, beautiful lakes, and broad oceans ; and bringing far-distant countries nearer together, for the advancement of civilization, commerce, and pure religion. The secret principles of steam power have been carefully pre- served in the bosom of our Heavenly Father, from the founda- tion of the world, and graciously imparted to mankind in the eighteenth century for the happiness and prosperity of the human race. God revealed Eis secret arts to mankind for the construction of Eailroads, after they had remained a secret in His OAvn bosom for ages. Divine Providence wisely withheld from mankind for thousands of years another great and important secret ; but in His own good time, He imparted to Professor Morse of New York the secret powers of the Magnetic Telegraph, to enable the people to com- municate their thoughts and business intelligence to other minds with the speed of lightning, thousands of miles in a minute. Honor and gratitude are due to Prof. Morse for his successful elTorts, his prompt business habits, and the timely completion of this great business enterprise. His intense reflections and lofty genius, in perfecting and publishing this splendid and almost mir- aculous art, and the rapid and correct system of communicating useful knowledge to the world, receive the approbation of high Heaven, and the praise and gratitude of a just and grateful people. Respectable families and business men keep their secrets from the world. Judges, lawyers, doctors, clergymen, and officers of the army and navy, maintain important secrets for their own benefit and the public good. The Governors of States, Members of the Legislatures, and Representatives in Congress, all preserve important secrets for themselves and the good of the people. The Senate of the United States often hold secret sessions for the good of our common country ; and all Senators are bound by solemn oath to keep the secrets of the government. The President of the United States is bound to keep the secrets of our government in his own breast ; and he sometimes considers it incompatible with the public interest and honor to comumnicate the government secrets to Congress. Grand Juries hold their meetings with officers guarding their doors. And they are all sworn by the courts to transact the busi- ness of the people in the most profound secrecy. This kind of secrecy has been practised by the grand jm-ies of all popular gov- ernments, for the good of their respective countries, since the wis- dom and prudence of past enlightened ages secured the trial by jury, in adopting the long-needed and glorious Magna Charta. The following passages of scripture from the Holy Bible, give us strong and rational proof from the Word of God in favor of Masonic secrecy, and kindly admonish all people to yield constant and honest obedience to the will of Heaven, in the wise economy of the Great Supreme Father of the Universe, and for the uniform prosperity and happiness of all the human race. Prov. XXV. 9, 10 — Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself and discover not a secret to anothe lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away. Job xxix. 4 — ^Vs I was in the days of my youth when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle. Amos iii. 7 — Surely, the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants, the prophe Matt vi. 4 — That thy alms may be in secret ; and thy Father, which seeth in secret, himself shall reward thee openly. John vii. 10 — But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Judges xiii. IS — And the angel ot the Lord said unto him. Why askest thou tlnis after my name, seeing it is secret ? Ps. xci. 1 — He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Matt. xiii. 35— That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open ray mouth in par- ables : I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. Ps. xxv. 14— The secret of the Lord is with them that fear liim ; and he will show them his covenant 89 Ps. xxxi. 20 — Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from tlie pride of man ; thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Pro v. vi. 13 — A tale-bearer revealeth secrets, but he that is of a faithful spirit conccaleth the matter. God, in the gracious continuation of imparting His bounties to frail and erring man, beholds from His tlirone of wisdom and love the people of the globe forgetting their Heavenly Father, and ne- glecting the practice of His holy religion. Pecuniary embarrass- ment and ignorance infest mankind. God timely admonished the United States to sheathe its national sword, and render speedy justice to her sister Republic. Our people quickly obeyed the Divine mandate, and the gold ■was paid over from the treasury at Washington, and Mexico ceded to the United States a large part of her rich domain. Peace returned again with all her numerous blessings to the people, and God unlocked the bowels of the earth, and displayed to an admiring world the secret existence and location of the rich minerals of the newly acquired territory. California opens the bosom of her earth, and exhibits the gold and other precious minerals, which had been hidden from the eye of man since the creation of the world. The memorable year 1847 ushered in that auspacious day, when the Divine economy made known to the peo- ple of the United States the location of those rich and inexhausti- ble gold mines under the soil and rocks of California. Divine wisdom bestowed on the people of Great Britain, in 1851, another great and useful secret. Australia opens the bosom of her earth on the other side of the globe, and exhibits to a great, en- lightened, and commercial people, one of the first manufacturing and civilizing nations of Europe, the rich minerals which God in his far-seeing wisdom had preserved and improved under the soil and rocks of Australia, during thousands of years, for the good of the world. God exhibited these inexhaustible rich minerals and numer- ous gold mines to an admiring people, at the moment when that po- pular treasure, and rapid civilizer of mankind, was most needed for the happiness of the people and the commerce of the globe, and thus increased the means of revolutionizing and improving man- kind. 90 Commercial embarrassments have been steadily relieved, and the people are benefited by the timely discovery of the existence and location of gold. China, with her three hundred millions of people, has been aroused. The timely discovery of gold has induced some of her overgrown population to emigrate to Europe and America ; and large numbers of these curious people have become resi- dents on the soil of California and Australia, and some of them have joyfully embraced the pure principles of the Christian religion. The discovery of gold furnishes additional means and encour- agement for the more rapid progress of the extensive and glorious revolution in China, and the demolishing of her old and niimc'«» ous idols and heathen worship all over that vast empire, and erecting on the mighty ruins of her idol worship the holy standard of the cross, and the blissful influences and purifying principles of the Christian religion. God reveals the location of gold and other rich minerals, and unlocks the hidden treasures of the earth, to facilitate honest in- dustry and the extensive commerce of the globe. The long retarded and unsuccessful enterprise of the opening of Japan to the commerce and civilization of the world, has recently been happily and peacefully accomplished. That long self-ol^scured and singular people are revealing the useful secrets of Japan, and developing the manners and political principles and resources of that empire for the good of mankind. The timely discovery of gold provides additional means for the extensive and important revolutions around the globe, and en- courages millions of people now seeking pure liberty on the East- ern Hemisphere, to obtain their civil, jDolitical, and religious free- dom, and worship the God of all nations according to the dictates of their own conscience. The discovery of gold furnishes means for forming and populat- ing new territories, and improving the minds of the people in the various branches of honest industry, and the arts and sciences of civilized life. These new and aspiring territories will knock, in due form of law, at the halls of Congress, in the city of Washing- 91 ton, and he animated witJi the lionest spirit of patriotism, and in- Toke tlie genius of our noble and wise Constitution, and ardently desire admission as States of our glorious and popular Republic. The late discovery of gold furnishes extensive and rapid means for promoting civilization and religion. Gold stimulates the islands of the sea in lionest and useful in- dustry, and induces their patriotic people to seek protection and equal rights under the broad banner and ample folds of the stars and stripes of America. The islands of Hawaii may knock at the doors of our friendly Republic, and like the true patriots and companions of our illus- trious and departed Washington, ardently and honestly desire the American Congress to sympathize with all those who admire the genius of our Republican institutions, and admit them as members of the great Republican family of civilized nations The king may voluntarily and cheerfully destroy his princely sceptre, and take off his royal robes, and throw down his crown of political power at the feet of our glorious Republic, in the na- tional capitol at the city of Washington. The late discovery of gold may prepare the political horizon, and enable the people to enjoy more extensive and pure liberty. The flag of the United States may float in popular triumph over the islands of Owyhee, and the American eagle cast an honest look around the islands of the Pacific, and spread his patriotic wings of protection and pure friendship over the millions of people who ardently and honestly desire to become good members of the great American family. Popular industry, and the commerce of the world, and civiliza- tion and religion, are making rapid strides, and bestowing con- stant blessings on mankind, under the influence of God's numerous secrets, bestowed on the people during the great and important eras of the world. The principles of the Institution require Masonic Lodges and Chapters to reveal the secrets of the order to every good man who applies properly for them, and is found worthy according to the rules of the Institution, and they must be regularly initiated into the noble and honorable secrets of the Order; and no Masonic 92 constitution or rule of the Institution prevents or deters any good man who applies, and is properly qualified, from being initiated at a Masonic Lodge and Chapter, and their principles admit all good and properly qualified men to be invested with all the secrets of the Institution. Here the objector asks, why there arc so many bad members, if Masonry is a good Institution ? We answer. Because such men have not studied or understood Masonic principles ; but having passed through the forms and ceremonies of initiation, and neglecting to study the science of the order, know very little about its principles. The same objection might be raised against religious churches, benevolent institutions, and political governments, because they are afflicted with bad members. So men may have passed through the forms and ceremonies of becoming members, and never have understood the doctrines or principles of either. Such men can- not be under the influence of good principles, which they do not know or understand. It is sometimes asked, why women are not allowed to become members of this society, and enjoy the benefits of Free Masonry. "We may be permitted to say, that it is not for the want of any due respect for noble woman and her virtues, and amiable man- ners and polite accomplishments, that respectable women are not permitted to become Free Masons. The forms and ceremonies of the order were instituted at an early day, to suit the capacity and supply the wants of strong men in all future time, and in every country. The far-seeing wisdom of King Solomon led him, as one of the principal founders of Masonic degrees, to exclude noble and virtuous woman, because she would be reduced to hard- ships, exposure and toil, which she would be unable to endure. As Masonic meetings must always be held in secret and secure halls, guarded by the Tyler with a drawn sword, women attend- ing as members would be likely to be scandalized and defamed, and their priceless good name and character injured by the sur- mises and talk of imprudent and ignorant people. Should women become Free Masons and attend their meetings, unaccompanied by their brothers, husbands or sons, jealousies 93 raiglit arise in families, and destroy that harmony and domestic felicity which Masonry seeks to promote in every home. Women, however virtuous and highly educated they may be, are not per- mitted by the laws and customs of civilized countries to become citizens. Women cannot vote at the popular elections of the peo- ple, or hold any civil or political office of honor, trust or profit, under the government, except Post-mistress. Our honored brother, Jackson, soon after he became President of the United States, appointed a respectable and intelligent widow of an officer of the American Revolution post-mistress of a post-office. May this act of justice continue to noble woman ! Women justly share largely in the result of men's labors. They enjoy the benefits and protection of the laws and government of the country in which they live. Women do not hold offices in the Church, and yet they are among its briglitest ornaments, pos- setting unparalleled influence in every good and glorious enter- prise. Men perform the political duties of the countiy, transact needful business in the Legislature and the halls of Congress, fight the battles of freedom, and protect noble • woman amid great suffering and at the hazard of their lives ; and return to their cherished homes and dear country, where amiable and grate- ful woman enjoys similar blessings of liberty and religion with man. Masons are taught to love, respect and revere woman — Hea- ven's last and best gift to man. The duties and labors of the craft are cheerfully performed by the members of our ancient and honorable Fraternity, for the universal good of all Free Masons, and the happiness and prosperity of kind and amiable woman. The cardinal principles of the Institution constantly admonished its members to respect the lovely name of Mother, to hold it in friendly and grateful remembrance, to cherish her loving-kindness, and revere her godlike affection and constant friendship for her dear children, as next to the pure and enduring love constantly exercised to all the world by the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe. Free Masonry enjoins our craft, in the most solemn and impres- sive manner, to relieve as far as they can the wants of suffering Masons, tfieir wives, widows and orphans, wheFSSover dispersed 94 around the globe. They must supply them with goocl employment, or recommend them to their friends and neighbors, who may furnish them with the means of honest industry, and quickly gratify theii heart's desire. Every candidate is presented during his initiation with a lamb skin white apron as the badge of a Mason, because the lamb in all ages has been deemed an emblem of innocence ; he, therefore, wlio wears the lamb-skin as the badge of a Mason, is continually ro minded of that purity of life and conduct which is so essential to his gaining admission to the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides. Masonic Lodges are opened and closed with prayer to the God of Heaven. The Holy Bible is always open in our Lodges for the careful and speedy instruction of all Masons. This sacred, instructive and truly precious word of God, is always used by Free Masons at their meetings, and carried open by an old member in their public processions. The religious world is under the most solemn obligation to the Institution for the preservation of the Holy Bible during the dark ages of the Old World, and for handing down to posterity that sacred volume of Divine truth for the instruction and happiness of the human race. Free Masonry is founded on the pure principles of charity and brotherly love. It ardently seeks the peace and substantial ] ros- perity of the people, and the constant happiness of all mankind. It is most admirably calculated to make good citizens, good hus- bands, good fathers and good sons. The principles of our craft make good friends, and produce integrity of heart, and the spirit of mutual forbearance and charity. The Institution has always encouraged literature and the fine arts, and fostered and pro- moted the arts and sciences in every age, and in all countries. Our Institution encourages the rapid increase of that knowledge and polite learning which benefits society, and advances the best interests of our common country. The members of our craft are taught to obey the laws, and adhere with patriotic fidelity to the government of the (?ountry in 95 which they live, strictly to obey the moral law, and carefully avoid all those religious doctrines and political sentiments on" which people honestly dificr m their opinions, so that the Jew the Catholic, the Protestant, the Chinese, the Arab, and the Mo- hammedan, may meet in Masonic Lodges at the same time, on the same level, as Masons in perfect harmony and Masonic love. After the Lodge is closed each Mason returns to his home, mr affected by the doctrine or peculiar creed of the other — tlie Jew to his synagogue, the Mohammedan to his mosque, and the Chris- tian to his church — as fully impressed as ever with the Divine origin of his peculiar faith. Free Masons dedicate the Holy Bible to God, the Square to the !Master of Masonic Lodges, and the Compass to the craft. The Holy Bible is dedicated to God, because it is the inestima- ble gift from God to man ; the Square to the Master of Masonic Lodges, it being the proper implement of his office ; and the Com- pass to the craft, by due attention to its use they are taught to circumscribe their desires, and keep their passions and prejudices within due bounds. Free Masonry is one of the most ancient and honorable institu tutions in the world, and its charities are liberally dispensed to poor Masons, their wives, widows and orphans. Large amounts of money are annually paid for these charitable objects. The business of the Institution is done within the walls of the lodges, chapters and encampments ; and the amount of money paid in cha- rity is seldom published ; the world, therefore, knows but little of the moneys given by Masons, or the constant beneficial influ- ences which the Institution exercises among the people, in helping to support the cherished institutions of our common country, and the honor of the American flag, which floats triumphantly in the heavenly breeze, and gives the blissful assurance that where the stars and stripes float over the soil of America, there Liberty dwells, and political and religious freedom will bless the world. Free Masonry is very popular, and rapidly extending over most civilized countries. The increasing travel and important inter- course of the people, make the Order far more useful than ever. Our craft of every nation speak the same intcHigible Masonic Ian. 96 giiagc, wlicresoever dispersed around the globe, and joyfully hail each other as Masonic Brethren, whether they meet in Europe, Africa, Asia or America. If a general war should break out in Europe, and infest the Old World with its ravages and sufferings. Free Masonry would be- come a powerful and efficient agent in the hands of intelligent and prudent Masons, and help the people to settle great national ques- tions. Free Masons, belonging to different countries at war with each other, are far more likely to meet together as friends and true patriots, and help to settle the terms of au honorable peace ^or the mutual benefit of their respective countries, that the din of war, and all its numerous calamities, may again be hushed in an honorable and lasting peace. Masonic Lodges have been patronized by the great and good of every age, and in all civilized countries of the globe ; and they have generally been protected by the laws and governments of the countries in which they lived. Emperors, kings, princes, noblemen, statesmen, governors, judges, lawyers, clergymen, and pious men of religious churches, and other good men, are worthy Masons, and bright examples of religious piety and Masonic virtues. Our candidates for Masonry are taken from honest and respectable professions, businesses and em- ployments, from the cottage to the throne. The late Hon. Henry Clay was an old and respected Free Mason. He honored our lodges by his attendance at their meet- ings, and gave his influence to the Order while he was on national business in Europe. Our enlightened Masonic Brother never ceased to encourage the progress of the principles, during his long and eventful life in the laud which gave him so timely birth, and the country which we are all proud to proclaim America. He was a man of unparalleled wisdom and far-seeing sagacity, an honest and high-minded patriot, and one of the American states- men whom our glorious Republic, and the enlightened nations of the world, will never cease to honor. He was an accomplished and amiable gentleman ; the most able, polished, eloquent orator the world ever produced ; always frank, modest and kind-hearted. He was one of the political saviors of our bleeding country. 97 Constant and true to tlic real and permanent interests of the United States, the Union was liis idol. He devoted liis valu- able life to promote the permanent and lasting interests of the people. He exemplified and practiced the principles of the Order through his long, useful, and brilliant public life. No political man ever received such high, chaste, and pure honors, as the thousands of respectable ladies spontaneously bestowed on the sage of Ashland, when they so cheerfully received our illustrious Masonic Brother at the City Hall in New York. He possessed the spirit of fair and honorable compromise on all great questions of political economy and national in- terest. Recognizing the principles of the Golden Rule, he ardently labored to harmonize the discordant feelings of men, by doing even-handed justice to all parties, and every substantial and use- ful enterprise of our common country. General Andrew Jackson was an eminent Free Mason ; the hero, the patriot and the soldier, who, like Washington, left his plow to lead American arms to victory and glory. He became President of the United States by the free suffrages of his patriotic fellow-citizens. The old soldier was at the head of a few thousand poorly-instructed militia men, whom patriotism and philanthropy had called from their peaceful homes to protect the fairest and most lovely part of mankind from the savage red men of the forest. They saved tlie true and amiable mothers and fair daugh- ters of Columbia's freemen from the savage scalping-knife and tomahawk. The din of Indian wars was timely hushed in an hon- orable and permanent peace. Our brave Masonic Brother, Jack- son, and his true and gallant compatriots in the pure cause of human freedom, have achieved the most splendid, remarkable, and important victories for America, recorded in the annals of Modern History. They asserted the popular principles that our Masonic brethren, and the numerous friends of pure liberty, would grant all that was clearly right, but submit to nothing that was clearly wrong. The motliers and daughters in America were protected in their own dear hojuos from the c-alamities of tlie war. T.;o 98 beauty of America cheerfully declared that our masonic "brethren and their faithful compatriots had honorably filled the measure of their country's glory. De Witt Clinton was Grand High Priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States, and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons of New York, and Governor ot the State at an important period of her history. He was one ol the best and most enlightened political writers of the age in which he adorned the Chair of State — a philosopher of great reasoning powers, and a sagacious, profound, and unrivalled statesman. His far-seeing wisdom and intelligent writings gave birth to the con- struction of the noble Erie Canal, and the grand and splendid sys- tem of internal improvements on the soil of America. Governor Clinton was a bright and intelligent Free Mason, and practiced the principles of the Institution. The Masonic virtues shone in his active life with brilliant and fascinating charms through his long and eventful career. He left many important and highly useful monuments of art and substantial improvements to his memory as a statesman and political economist. Governor Clinton's virtues excite the admiration, and command the cordial approval and sincere respect, of the Masonic world. As a states- man and political economist, his memory will be held in grateful remembrance by his admiring countrymen. Tlie internal improve- ments which Clinton's great mind originated, and his learned pen advocated and set in motion, produce unparalleled prosperity among the people, and they are adding millions of wealth to our common country, and to the strength and grandeur of nations. Daniel D. Tompkins was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons of New York, and Governor of the State in 1812, an eventful era in the history of our common country. Governor Tompkins was an eminent and prudent statesman, and a patriot of great energy and usefulness. He was well suited to that crisis of American affairs. Late in his valuable life, our worthy and enlightened masonic brother was elevated, by his patriotic and admiring countrymen, to the office of Vice-President of our glori- ous Republic. During all of Vice-President Tompkins' private life, and his political and official career of glory, he proved him- 99 self an lionest and good man. He was a profound ana accom- plished scholar, and a refined and affable gentlemen ; and hia active life embodied the principles of Masonry. Our worthy brother proved himself a statesman, a patriot, a friend of the people, a lover of glorious humanity, and a true friend to Ameri- can liberty. The lamented General Warren was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free Masons of Massachusetts when he fell on the battle- field of Bunker Hill. This learned and good Free Mason left his dear family and home, and gallantly fought the battles of freedom when our country was poor and unskilled in the art of war, and bleeding at every pore. Three millions of people, scattered over an extensive and poorly cultivated country, amid a wilderness, and surrounded by Indian savages, composed at that early day the entire population of America. Our patriotic masonic brethren were true to American principles and her holy cause on the floor of Congress, and in the army and navy. They toiled, suffered, and bled for human freedom. Doctor Benjamin Franklin presided in the masonic chair at Philadelphia over the first Lodge of Free Masons in Pennsylvania, and gave the weight of his influence and pure character for the benefit of the Institution. As a philosopher of the first order, he controlled the vivid lightnings of heaven ; as an astronomer, he contemplated with profound reverence the beauties and grandeur of Nature ; as a philanthropist, he deeply sympathized with suf- fering humanity, and ardently sought to promote the true prospe- rity and substantial happiness of all the human race ; as a states- man of the first rank, he labored day and night to help place our dear America in the holy temple of liberty, and establish the pure principles of self-government, and promptly aided his illustrious compatriots in placing our beloved country on a lofty eminence among the great family of nations ; as a professor of religion, he devoutly worshipped the Supreme Grand Master of the Universe. Our illustrious brother, Franklin, was guided by masonic princi- ples in his private life and patriotic duties to his bleeding and oppressed country. Franklin exemplified and illustrated the principles of the Insti- 100 tution through his whole patriotic and glorious life, and proved to tlie world the purity and great advantages of the sublime and holy principles of masonry. In that dark and gloomy crisis of the American Revolution, when the last ray of hope, like the sun in the western horizon, was receding from the good and patriotic people of America, behold ! a Washington appears, as it were an angel of deliverance, sent by our Supreme Grand Master in the hour of American pov- erty and peril, to establish pure liberty, and advance our then infant country to that proud and honorable .position which she now holds among the great family of nations. That eventful era in the history of our dear America seemed destined by heaven for a full display of those great masonic vir- tues, patriotic principles, and religious sentiments, which excite the admiration of the wise and good, and call forth the spontane- ous approbation of mankind. General Washington was made a Free Mason in due and an- cient form, soon after he became of age, at the city of Freder- icksburg, in the State of Virginia, and studied Free Masonry as a science. The pure and glorious principles of the Institution imparted to him in early life a mass of useful knowledge, and helped to pre- pare his young and active mind to perform the duties of the gal- lant and prudent soldier, the wise and popular statesman, and the first and honest President of the United States. vVashington kept up his masonic lodge in the tented field of the American army, during the war of our country^s revolu- tion. Tiie principles of masonry promoted union and confidence in the army and navy, and inspired the people with harmony and patriotic hope for pure liberty. In the year 1793, Washington, one of the best and most popular Free Masons of the United States, laid the corner stone of the national capitol in masonic form, on the memorable soil of the dis- trict of Columbia, in that popular city which bears our masonic brother's pure and great name. Our beloved hero closed his useful and brilliant career on the 101 soil of America, in tlie year 1799. Washington's mortal remains were entombed at Mount Vernon with pure masonic honors, by the lodge of which he was the first master. His immortal soul was convoyed by seraphic angels to realms of bliss and glory. His pure principles live, and act, and guide the people as truly as when his noble form moved among them. We point the inquiring mind to the principles and character of Washington, to learn what masonry is, and to the uniform hon- esty and perseverance of the departed Father of our common country, to see and behold what the Institution has accomplished for the people of America. Its harmonious principles of pure affection for humanity, have been active and constant in allaying the angry passions of the heart, and creating love for the human race. The kind and sooth- ing influences of Free Masonry have fostered pure friendship among the people, and encouraged them to imitate the character and holy life of Him who returned good for evil, during His Divine mission of reform among mankind while on earth, and sealed the sincerity of His friendship by giving Himself a ransom for the vorld. Masonic principles have always been fascinating and full of moral and religious instruction to the people, teaching them to mingle together in the daily intercourse of life, with the mutual forbearance and love which cement the people of America in that friendship for each other, which has contributed so much to har- monize them in the support of society and our glorious system of self-ffovernment. based on the affections and reasonable wants of the race. The pure principles of Washington are the principles of masonry, and the principles of masonrv arc the principles of Washino-ton. J^ LOA7-E ^FF^IR AMD A. DUEL. BY WASHINGTON GOFP CHAPTER I. The prevailing and strong passion of coquetry exist in some form among a large class of people ; but it is not entirely confined to lovers and fanciful minds seeking to form con- nections in lawful and popular marriage. Deception and fraud are practiced to an alarming extent, and people profess much friendship for each other ; but practice less of that charming and delightful virtue. They assume airs, and make a facinat- ing appearance, which often gains them temporary favors and much enjoyment. But when the test is applied, we learn their real character. Ask them for any particular favor, and in most cases you will be denied, the party declaring a willingness to grant any other you may desire ; ask for another, and you may be told that the accommodation cannot be granted at present, and so on until the party believes you do not want anything, and then favors will generally be cheerfully offered. But not so in all cases ; there are a large number of good people who bestow favors and grant accommodations as soon as they are required. And even some coquettes, seeing their errors, reform, and do tlieir associates and the injured parties 104 favors and justice without being asked, as the English Belle did a timely and important favor for two young British offi- cers without being desired to perform tliat noble duty. The Belle was the youngest daughter of a wealthy and respectable merchant in the city of London, and she was highly educated at the best schools in Great Britain. She was sprightly, possessing a vigorous mind, and great accomplishments, and appeared in fashionable and popular parties, and in private and respectable families as one of the most polite and fascinating ladies in the great metropolis of England. The two young officers were the sons of a London banker and an English nobleman ; and held commissions as officers in the British army. They were handsome, vain, and genteel in their deportment at the social and fashionable parties, and when they visited private and respectable families, they made an extraoi"- dinary and fascinating appearance, winning the fanciful love of the English Belle, while visiting at her father's splendid mansion in London, and attending popular and fashionable parties with her in other great cities of tlie realm. "I have a good opinion of j^rudent and industrious ladies," said General Goff; "but some philosophers and other judges consider it a misfortune in many cases for ladies to be hand- some, because it has a tendency to make them proud and vain, and leads them into a visionary and deceitful belief, that a handsome face, and a good form secures them a popular passport through life, without correct knowledge, science, and a religious education. Very handsome ladies often neglect to learn val- uable truth, and to study and obtain that important and useful knowledge which would make them happy and valuable mem- bers of society." Men admire and often praise handsome women and pro- fess great friendship for them. But many of those pretended friends are wolves in sheep's clothing. "Now, Henry," said the gallant old General, "you know my time of life has brought me to a period when I may profit by a long experience, during a professional career of 105 military services, in the protection and defence of onr common kingdom and country. My travels in Europe and Asia liavo afforded me a good opportunity to obtain a thorougli knowledge of human nature, business, and the philosophy of the human mind. I may, therefore, have the pleasure of making some valu- able suggestions for your consideration, without impairing my good opinion of noble woman. ' " 1 have known many cunning and h.andsome women in the old country, since I have been an officer in his majesty's ser- vice," continued the General, "among whom I well remember an accomplished and adroit English Belle. She formed an in- timate acquaintance with two young and handsome British officers in the city of London. They seemed to be so ardently in love with each other that they hardly knew whether they were in aristocratic England, or in republican America. Each of the young officers declared liis ardent love fcr the English Belle. They proclaimed to the beautiful lady their supreme love for her, and declared their willingness to die for her charming beauty. The Belle declared that her love had be- come so ardent for both of the young officers, that she did not know which of them to dismiss from her ''Hind. She loved both of them dearly, and her affections were just as good for one as for the other. "Well," said the General, "I have always believed that two gentlemen might have some good reason for loving one lady ; but I cannot see how one lady can sincerely, intelli- gently, and honestly love two gentlemen just alike at the same time." Sincere love, founded in wisdom and resting on a wise basis, guided by the purest and most enlightened faculties of the human mind, calls into uniform action the purest princi- ples of the soul. These heavenly principles may be fairly excited, and set in healthy motion by pure and beneficial acts of kindness. The fruits of sincere love are evidences of pure friendship, and are exhibited in proportion as the faculties are developed and 106 called into healthful and wise action amorg the people. Doctor Franklin and other good men agree with your ideas of love, General. We will see how the two young officers and the lady pro- gress, and what evidences of love they have exhibited before the people, in the progress and conclusion of this romantic story. The gentleman should love tlie lady, and the lady ought to love the gentleman purely, affectionately, and honestly. Uni- form friendship and correct deportment are exhibited in num- erous acts of kindness. Pure love produces substantial and useful benefits when it is most needed and desired. Love displays its heavenly treasure and soothing principles in per- forming the duties of mutual forbearance, and doing timely and immediate good to others ; because the system of kindness and justice allays the angry passions of hardened and mis- guided minds, enlightens their understandings, and makes them better neighbors and more useful citizens. j\Iany officers of the army and navy being under great ex- citement, produced to some extent by the principles of their profession and habits of military and naval life, seem to fancy that questions of love and friendship must be settled by the code of honor. So one of the British officers challenged another officer in his majesty's service to mortal combat. The challenge was immediately accepted. The seconds were duly chosen, and the surgeons appointed. The day being agreed on, the place of hostile meeting was selected. A few confidential friends were timely on the ground. Constant and profound secrecy was enjoined on their friends, lest the police officers should discover their hostile designs, and duly arrest all the parties in any way connected with the contemplated duel. The two young officers were first to fight each other with their own swords for fifteen minutes only. They were then to fight with pistols at the distance of fifteen paces. Tn the mean time, and before the appointed day of meeting 107 arrived, the excitement ran high, and many means were sug- gested for the settlement of the love affair, and the adjust- ment of the whole difiiculty, but, to no effect. The oflficers continued their desire of settling the love matter by swords and pistols, of course each of them feeling sure of dispatch- ing the other, and thus remove, as they imagined, all further obstacles to the enjoyment of the heart and hand of the fascin- ating and beautiful young English Belle. Alas I how foolish and unwise are all such vain and wicked means of settling love matters and so preparing to enjoy life. The virtuous and enlightened mmd finds but little enjoy- ment with people while they are in ignorance and sin. The family relations and friends of all the parties were wealtliy, moved in high life, and appeared in the best and most fashionable circles. The English Belle regretted that the feelings of the young officers should have led them to believe that she was indued with tl;e beauty, charms, or accomplishments which they fan* cied she possessed ; and calmly expressed her regret that she should have been the innocent cause of the intended hostile meeting, so unhappy in its character. The accomplished and shrewd Belle therefore resilvcd, when all otlicr measures failed, to employ woman's stratagem to prevent the effusion of blood, and save the lives of the two officers, whom she passionately loved. As the day for the hostile meeting approached, all minds to whom the alTair had been intrusted, were anxious to learn what means were in progress to stay the mad career of the two officers, and prevent the dangerous and disastrous encounter of the two young men, who had no just cause for being ene- mies to each other, nor any good reason for afflicting the enthusiastic and loving lady, by fighting a duel to determine their claim on her faitliful love. Woman's stratagem progressed, and quiet secrecy continued the prevailing policy. Therefore, w^ait a little longer, kind reader, and you will soon learn woman's powers of keeping 108 valuable secrets, and tlie effects of the beautiful and accom- plished Eng-lish lady's means of doing good ; and you may, in due time, have still another evidence of woman's powers and honesty, in keeping good and valuable secrets to facilitate the timely ends of friendship and justice. CHAPTER 11. The anxious day appointed for the meeting of the two officers having arrived, the fierce combatants appeared on the ground selected, accompanied by their seconds and surgeons, and in a few moments after, a few of their friends were seen in t'lc distance, approaching the place appointed for the intended encounter with rapid speed. Some rode on splendid horses, and others in beautiful carriages. An anxious look pervaded the whole company. Every coun- tenance appeared full of anxiety and deep concern for the events of the day. The two officers, a few days previous, were good friends, and both seeking the heart and hand of the fascinating English Belle, but now vainly preparing, after due time for reflection, to meet each other with swords and pistols, in exciting and dread- ful conflict. They might shed innocent blood in the vain hope of deciding which of the two officers was entitled to enjoy the fanciful love of the lady. The grounds on which the parties met were interspersed with delightful shade trees and shrubbery, and a few beautiful groves adorned the spot. They were well fitted for pleasure, and worthy of a better use and more lionorable purpose. The place"^ selected was delightful, but the occasion became painful, novel, and full of excitement. Smooth and excih3d voices were heard murmuring among the guests, " Where now is the lady who possesses the power 109 to give immediate relief? Where is her father? Is there no kind hand to help in this exciting time of need ? Is there no strong, vigorous, and influential mind, who has power and influence at this critical moment, to give relief?" The seconds declared the time nearly exhausted. They measured the ground, determined the points of position, and directed the two officers to take their places, unsheathe their swords, and prepare for mortal combat. The surgeons retired to tlicir respective places, and prepared for professional duty The seconds load the pistols, and the two officers and their friends look at each other in great suspense and keen ex- citement for the termination of the encounter. Each officer stood at his post with a drawn sword in his hand, gleaming with dazzling bri \ h^'^^