that heaviness which usually accompanies great muscular power, and abates active exertion.-His movements were graceful; his manner displayed a grave self-possession, and was easy and affable. All those who ever associated with him have remarked that indescribable dignity which, though it created an affectionate confidence, at the same time repressed all freedoms, and forbade the indulgence of the slightest indecorum in his presence. His most remarkable feature was his mouth, which was perfectly unique. The lips firm and compressed. The under jaw seemed to grasp the upper with force, as if the muscles were in full action, even while he sat perfectly still and composed. Yet an air of benignity and repose always pervaded his face, and his smile displayed an extraordinary attraction. No man ever possessed in a higher degree the art, or rather the moral and physical qualifications, to ensure the respect and affection of all that came within the circle of his influence."

Washington after his retirement from the presidency.

"Like all truly great men, the manners of Washington, though eminently dignified, were adorned by the most unaffected simplicity. He relished the innocent gayety of youth, the sprightly gambols of children, and enjoyed a decorous jest or humorous anecdote with a peculiar relish. If, while perusing a book or a newspaper in the domestick circle, he met with any thing amusing or remarkable, he would read it aloud for their entertainment, and never failed to participate in every innocent or sportive frolick that was going on around him. His dignity was not that of pride or moroseness, but of intellect and virtue; and among those he loved, he laughed and joked like others. He was accustomed sometimes to tell the following story:

ington retired from publick life, his name and fame excited in the hearts of the people at large, and most especially the more youthful portion, a degree of reverence which, by checking their vivacity or awing them into silence, often gave him great pain. Being once on a visit to Colonel Blackburn, ancestor to the exemplary matron who now possesses Mount Vernon, a large company of young people were assembled to welcome his arrival, or on some other festive occasion. The general was unusually cheerful and animated, but he observed that whenever he made his appearance, the dance lost its vivacity, the little gossipings in corners ceased, and a solemn silence prevailed, as at the presence of one they either feared or reverenced too much to permit them to enjoy themselves. He strove to remove this restraint by mixing familiarly among them, and chatting with unaffected hilarity. But it was all in vain, there was a spell on the little circle, and he retired among the elders in an adjoining room, appearing to be much pained at the restraint his presence inspired. When, however, the young people had again become animated, he arose cautiously from his seat, walked on tiptoe to the door, which was ajar, and stood contemplating the scene for nearly a quarter of an hour, with a look of genuine and benevolent pleasure that went to the very hearts of the parents who were observing him.

"As illustrating his character and affording an ex ample of his great self-command, the following anecdote is appropriate to my purpose. It is derived from Judge Breckenridge himself, who used often to tell the story. The judge was an inimitable humorist, and, on a particular occasion, fell in with Washington at a publick house, where a large company had gathered together for the purpose of discussing the subject of improving the navigation of the Potomack. They supped at the same table, and Mr. Breckenridge essayed all his powers of humour to divert the general; but in vain. He seemed aware of his purpose, and listened without a smile. However, it 30 happened that the chambers of Washington and Breckenridge adjoined, and were only separated from each other by a thin partition of pine boards. The general had retired first, and when the judge entered his own room, he was delighted to hear Washington, who was already in bed, laughing to himself with infinite glee, no doubt at the recollection of his stories."

The following account of Washington's last illness is from a memorandum of his private secretary Tobias Lear :

:

"On one occasion, during a visit he paid to Mount Vernon while president, he had invited the company of two distinguished lawyers, each of whom afterward attained to the highest judicial situations in this country. They came on horseback, and, for convenience, or some other purpose, had bestowed their wardrobe in the same pair of saddlebags, each one occupying his side. On their arrival, wet to the skin by a shower of rain, they were shown into a chamber to change their garments. One unlocked his side of the bag, and the first thing he drew forth was a black bottle of whiskey. He insisted that this was his companion's repository; but on unlocking the other, there were found a huge twist of tobacco, a few pieces of corn-bread, and the complete equipment of a wagoner's pack-saddle. They had "On Thursday, Dec. 12, the general rode out to exchanged saddlebags with some traveller on the his farms at about ten o'clock, and did not return way, and finally made their appearance in borrowed home till past three. Soon after he went out the clothes that fitted them most ludicrously. The gen-weather became very bad; rain, hail, and snow faleral was highly diverted, and amused himself with ling alternately, with a cold wind. When he came anticipating the dismay of the wagoner when he in, I carried some letters to him to frank, intending discovered this oversight of the men of law. It to send them to the postoffice. He franked the letwas during this visit that Washington prevailed on ters, but said the weather was too bad to send a one of his guests to enter into publick life, and thus servant to the office that evening. I observed to him secured to his country the services of one of the that I was afraid he had got wet; he said, no; his most distinguished magistrates of this or any other greatcoat had kept him dry: but his neck appeared age. to be quite wet-the snow was hanging on his hair. "Another anecdote of a more touching character "He came to dinner without changing his dress. is derived from a source which, if I were permitted In the evening he appeared as well as usual. Α to mention, would not only vouch for its truth, but heavy fall of snow took place on Friday, which pregive it additional value and interest. When Wash-vented the general from riding out as usual. He

had taken cold, (undoubtedly from being so much | About eleven o'clock, Dr. Dick was sent for. Dr. exposed the day before,) and complained of having Craik bled the general again; no effect was proa sore throat; he had a hoarseness, which increased duced, and he continued in the same state, unable to in the evening, but he made light of it, as he would swallow any thing. Dr. Dick came in about three never take any thing to carry off a cold,-always o'clock, and Dr. Brown arrived soon after; when, observing, 'Let it go as it came.' In the evening, after consultation, the general was bled again: the the papers having come from the postoffice, he sat blood ran slowly, appeared very thick, and did not in the room with Mrs. Washington and myself, read-produce any symptoms of fainting. At four o'clock, ing them till about nine o'clock. On his retiring to bed he appeared to be in perfect health, except the cold, which he considered as trifling-he had been remarkably cheerful all the evening.

"About two or three o'clock on Saturday morning, he awoke Mrs. Washington, and informed her that he felt very unwell, and had an ague. She observed that he could scarcely speak, and breathed with difficulty, and she wished to get up and call a servant; but the general would not permit her, lest she should take cold. As soon as the day appeared, the woman Caroline went into the room to make a fire, and the general desired that Mr. Rawlins, one of the overseers, who was used to bleeding the people, might be sent for to bleed him before the doctor could arrive. I was sent for-went to the general's chamber, where Mrs. Washington was up, and related to me his being taken ill between two and three o'clock, as before stated. I found him breathing with difficulty, and hardly able to utter a word intelligibly. I went out instantly, and wrote a line to Dr. Plask, and sent it with all speed. Immediately I returned to the general's chamber, where I found him in the same situation I had left him. A mixture of molasses, vinegar, and butter was prepared, but he could not swallow a drop; whenever he attempted he was distressed, convulsed, and almost suffocated.

"Mr. Rawlins came in soon after sunrise, and prepared to bleed him; when the arm was ready, the general, observing Rawlins appeared agitated, said, with difficulty, 'Don't be afraid;' and after the incision was made, he observed the orifice was not large enough; however, the blood ran pretty freely. Mrs. Washington. not knowing whether bleeding was proper in the general's situation, begged that much might not be taken from him, and desired me to stop it. When I was about to untie the string, the general put up his hand to prevent it, and, as soon as he could speak, said, 'More.'

the general could swallow a little. Calomel and tartar-emetick were administered without effect. About half-past four o'clock he requested me to ask Mrs. Washington to come to his bedside, when he desired her to go down to his room, and take from his desk two wills which she would find there, and bring them to him, which she did. Upon looking at one, which he observed was useless, he desired her to burn it, which she did; and then took the other and put it away. After this was done, I returned again to his bedside and took his hand. He said to me, I find I am going-my breath cannot continue long--I believed from the first attack it would be fatal. Do you arrange and record all my military letters and papers; arrange my accounts and settle my books, as you know more about them than any one else; and let Mr. Rawlins finish recording my other letters, which he has begun.' He asked when Mr. Lewis and Washington would return? I told him that I believed about the twentieth of the month. He made no reply.

"The physicians arrived between five and six o'clock, and when they came to his bedside, Dr. Craik asked him if he would sit up in the bed: he held out his hand to me and was raised up, when he said to the physician:-'I feel myself going; you had better not take any more trouble about me, out let me go off quietly; I cannot last long. They found what had been done was without effect; he laid down again, and they retired, excepting Dr. Craik. He then said to him :-' Doctor, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go; I believed from my first attack I should not survive it; my breath cannot last long.' The doctor pressed his hand, but could not utter a word; he retired from the bedside and sat by the fire, absorbed in grief. About eight o'clock, the physicians again came into the room, and applied blisters to his legs, but went out without a ray of hope. From this time he appeared to breathe "Mrs. Washington still uncasy lest too much with less difficulty than he had done, but was very blood should be drawn, it was stopped after about restless, continually changing his position, to enhalf a pint had been taken. Finding that no relief deavour to get ease. I aided him all in my power, was obtained from bleeding, and that nothing could and was gratified in believing he felt it, for he would be swallowed, I proposed bathing the throat exter-look upon me with eyes speaking gratitude, but unnally with sal volatile, which was done; a piece of able to utter a word without great distress. About flannel was then put round his neck. His feet were ten o'clock he made several attempts to speak to me also soaked in warm water, but this gave no relief. before he could effect it; at length he said, 'I am By Mrs. Washington's request, I despatched a messenger for Dr. Brown of Port Tobacco. About nine o'clock, Dr. Craik arrived, and put a blister of cantharides on the throat of the general, and took more blood, and had some vinegar and hot water set in a teapot, for him to draw in the steam from the spout.

"He also had sage-tea and vinegar mixed and used as a gargle, but when he held back his head to let it run down, it almost produced suffocation. When the mixture came out of his mouth some phlegm followed it, and he would attempt to cough, which the doctor encouraged, but without effect.

just going. Have me decently buried; and do not let my body be put into the vault in less than two days after I am dead.' I bowed assent. He looked at me again and said, 'Do you understand me?" I replied, "Yes, sir.' "Tis well,' said he. About ten minutes before he expired, his breathing became much easier: he lay quietly: he withdrew his hand from mine, and felt his own pulse. I spoke to Dr. Craik, who sat by the fire; he came to the bedside. The general's hand fell from his wrist; I took it in mine, and placed it on my breast. Dr. Craik placed his hands over his eyes; and he expired without a sigh."

For the Family Magazine.

entering into details of the antiquities above grouped, to attempt the most probable answers to the questions just stated, as far as present circumstances will permit.

ANTIQUITIES OF THE WEST. No I. FROM 1784 to 1787, great exertions were made to induce people to remove from the Eastern States and Volumes in amount have been written, by learned settle on the fertile hills and plains along "the banks of the pleasant Ohio." Songs and stories, made for and able men to prove, 1st.-That America was peothe occasion, were sung and told, in almost every pled as soon, if not before, Asia. 2nd. That the first company and at every street-corner, where an audito- inhabitants of America were a remnant of the Canaanry could be obtained, setting forth, and not without ites, whom the Israelites had driven from their counmuch exaggeration, the unparalleled beauty and fer- try. 3rd. That they were a colony of Phoenicians, of which the rock at Dighton, Massachusetts, they tility of the country; and many were induced to go, 4th. That from the features of even for other reasons than those set forth; for it be consider a proof. came a common saying, when a man had, rather mys- these last, from some of the Indian customs, suppose the present Indians, they are Tartars, and some of teriously, disappeared, that he had gone to the West,

to Ohio, or to Kentucky, then the Ultima Thule. that they may be descendants of the ten lost tribes In 1789-90, &c., some had returned for their fam- of Israel. 5th. Molina in his History of Chili, has ilies, or to settle their affairs, preparatory to their tak-shewn that the ancient Aracanians, the aborigines of ing a final leave; and they, along with exaggerated that country have many Latin and Greek words in accounts of the fertility of the soil, and beauty of the their language, and that they fought in phalanx, as did country, told of wonderful discoveries made in their both those nations. 6th. Humboldt has shewn, that travels. They had seen the remains of great cities and of splendid buildings, indicative of a numerous and an enlightened, or at least a highly civilized population, who had once inhabited this western Eden, but had some how mysteriously disappeared; perhaps removed farther West. But the question occurred and was frequently asked, What should have driven them off; or what could have induced them to remove from regions so fertile and pleasant?

The above reminiscences may serve to show how the public mind became so deeply and almost indelibly imbued with the notion, that this part of the West abounded in wonders: and hence it was, that every blue stocking savan who came, on galloping steed, with spectacles on nose, and ears erect, was found peering into every nook and cranny, and listening to every gossip tale, in search of, and invariably discovering new wonders.*

some of the ancient idols, and especially the pyramids of the Mexicans, bear striking resemblance to those of Egypt. 7th. Others have rendered it probable, that some of the North-eastern Indians originated from Norway.

Of the first two suggestions above, the writer of this, does not consider the proofs at all credible, and the third at least doubtful, notwithstanding the reported

translation of an eminent and learned man of France.

But of the fourth he entertains a better opinion. It has been believed by many of the best informed, ever since the discovery of Bhering's Strait, that the abolet us enquire into the probable causes of this Asiatic rigines, so called, of America, came from Asia. But emigration. It may both amuse and instruct us, to apply the philosophy of history to this subject; and enable us to hold more rational opinions on it, than are generally entertained.

It was certainly very natural for the candid enqui-al

rer to ask who erected those mounds, large and small, often in groups and sometimes solitary-those embankments with embrasures-those piles of stones, &c.; and who made and used those singular implements, and for what purpose?—and the answer was ready, they were the work of some branch of the family of Adam, early detached from the parent stock, but still actuated by motives of self-preservation and that fond desire, that longing after immortality, so prevalent in the humblest as well as the greatest of

his race.

But whence came they? How lived they? and

whither are they gone?

It will, perhaps, not be thought improper, before

eruptions of the savage hordes of Asiatic Tartary, We learn from history, that there have been sever

which overran the fertile plains of civilized Europe; what causes any of them were produced, we know but but at what time the first eruption took place, or by little. We may, however, be permitted to indulge in a brief speculation on the causes most probable.

Fertile and pleasant localities, on the shores of the Euxine and the Mediterranean, early drew dense populations to them, and the greater facility of subsistence, and the circumstances incident to stationary residence, not only increased fecundity, but the chan

ces of life. Hence a much greater number of their offspring came to maturity, than of the itinerant hordes of herdsmen and hunters. The people, too, of close society would become more intelligent; not * An example here to be given, is considered a fair specimen only from frequent interchange of ideas, but also from A paragraph appeared in an Ohio paper, about 1814, over the sig- necessity. The word geometry, itself, literally signature of J. Jack, (said to have been a gentleman of respectability, nifies measuring the Earth, which could never have. and it is believed a clergyman) stating, that within a short distance from Lebanon, Warren, county, Ohio, a moss-covered stone had been thought of, but for the necessity, produced by been discovered, on which the figures and letters 1181 S I, were density of population, of meting out the soil, in prolegibly inscribed. This was extensively copied into Eastern pa- portions, to the cultivators. Commerce, navigation, pers, and no doubt got to England, and with many the idea of the ship-building and almost every mechanical art were Welsh colony of King Madoc was revived. If rightly recollected, the Rev. Mr. Burder, as secretary of some Missionary Society, pub-brought into use by the wants of a stationary and lished a request for further information on the subject. But on endense population. quiry it was found, that a Mr. Isaac Stubbs, in passing this way, in search of his cattle, had set himself down on this stone, being a part of a ledge of rocks, to rest, and perhaps listen for his bell,

and while there, cut, or scratched between his legs which hung over, the initials of his name, IS 1811, which being read by some wonder hunter, from below, appeared & above, inverted.

The strength of nations is not often so nearly in proportion to their numbers, as to their intelligence. Hence it was, that whenever any of these, who had made some progress in the arts, came in conflict with their less intelligent neighbors, they were almost

ments, when every tree might have been a fort? and why, if these people had so long a time, did they not improve in the arts, as well as those on the Eastern continent, from whence they came? The answer to the former of these questions is, that it was the manner of sepulture of their fathers from time immemorial, and the only way in which an illiterate people could well perpetuate the memory of the dead; and besides, the immemorial use of embankments, for defence, the necessity arising from the want of trees, as there is strong reasons for believing that these countries in the west, were very deficient in timber for many generations after they became inhabited, and whoever will read the travels of Edward Daniel Clark, from St. Petersburgh through the steppes of Tartary, will see the strong proof of this.

always successful; and thus it happened, that the nations on the coasts of the Mediterranean, the Euxine, the Euphrates, &c., became the terror of their neighbors, who participating in some degree of their intelligence, sometimes successfully drove out their neighbors, more remote. Ancient history fully proves this; and the concussions thus produced might have been felt to the farthest bounds inhabited by manfrom the Euxine to Siberia; and the tribe last driven out, might cross the Strait (the widest channel being only eighteen miles) to Bhering's Island, and thence to the American continent; in the whole less than forty miles. Then pursuing the coast southward in search of milder climate, and ascending the rivers in search of fish and other game, they at length debouched on the plains of the Missouri. Some, probably, taking a course more directly east, gained the Northern Lakes. But why no progress in science and the arts? It This was, probably, a work of ages, and each new has been said, and with great truth, too, that it is tribe establishing its foothold by the "sword and the hardly possible for any nation to make any great adbow," while the older immigrants, as they of neces-vances in civilization without the use of iron. And sity must, defended their possessions as well as they in fact, there is no instance on record to the contrary. could, by the embankments of earth which we now It is probable that the Mexicans and Peruvians had find most of which are strongest in the direction made as great advances as were ever known of any ascending the waters, on which they are located. other nation without the use of iron. But, another History informs us, that the nations around the reason no less forcible, may be added. No nation Mediterranean, &c., often warred for the express pur-ever did make great advances in science and civilizapose of planting colonies in distant regions. The tion, where the Christian religion was not known Egyptians planted colonies in Greece, and the Pho- and received. That iron was unknown to them, and nicians, not only in Greece, but along the whole that they were pagans and barbarous savages of coast of Europe. Carthage, too, was a Phoenician the most inferior grade, will be shewn in a future colony, which pushed her discoveries along the Afri- number. can coast, and traces of them are still to be found in many places, especially in the Azores, Canaries and Cape Verd isles. Voyages of discovery, too, were undertaken, (two or three of which, for the pur- Immense Number of the Celestial Orbs.-If we pose of circumnavigating Africa,) some of which consider the immense number of bodies impelled were successful. But history does not say how through the vast spaces of the universe-the rapidity many of these expeditions were undertaken, nor with which the comets, when near the sun, are carwhen the first commenced, but renders it certain, that ried through the regions they traverse,-if we considsome of them were unsuccessful. Nor have we any er the high probability, if not absolute certainty, that grounds for denial, that this spirit of enterprise did the sun with all its attendant planets and comets, is not commence before the æra of history; besides, it impelled with a still greater degree of velocity, tois certain that the period of Egypt's glory was ante-wards some distant region of space, or around some

rior to that.

It will not be extravagant then to suppose, that at very early periods, voyages were undertaken by Egyptians, Greeks, and even Romans and Phonicians, with intent to circumnavigate Africa, and for making discoveries of new countries: and who can say that "the drifting of canes and pines by long westerly winds," was not, to them as well as to Columbus, an indication of lands in a western direction. How many may have gone purposely, or how many may have been blown off by storms, and been thrown on the western coast of America, we are left to conjecture. But Molina says it was a tradition among the Aracanians, (ancient inhabitants of Chili) that "their ancestors were men saved from the waters," and having many words either purely Greek or Latin, or so nearly resembling those languages as to leave no doubt of their origin.

wide circumference-that all the thousands of systems of that nebula to which the sun belongs, are moving in a similar manner that all the nebulæ in the heavens are moving around some magnificent central body—in short, that all the suns and worlds in the universe are in rapid and perpetual motion, as constituent portions of one grand and boundless empire; and if we consider still further, that all these mighty movements have been going on, without intermission, during the course of many centuries; it is impossible for the human mind to form any adequate idea of the stupendous forces which are in incessant operation throughout the empire of the Almighty. To estimate such mechanical force, even in a single instance, completely baffles the mathematician's skill, and sets the power of numbers at defiance.-Dick's Ch. Phil.

It is a virtue to avoid vice; and the first step to wisdom is to be free from folly.-Horace.

We may then readily suppose, that before history had employed a pen, or even had a letter at command, to record events, such voyages were undertaken, and had thrown a population on this continent, from Cape Horn to California. But it may be asked, why they interred their dead in mounds, requiring so much labour to erect? Why fortify with earthen embank--Bias.

Evil men speak rather the things they wish, than what they believe or know.-King Charles. Praise not the unworthy on account of their wealth.