the States, and a body of wise men assembled at Philadelphia to frame the Constitution of our country. Washington presided over this body, and by his wisdom and moderation did much to reconcile conflicting views and interests.

6. The first step to be taken under the new Constitution was to elect a President. There was but one man who was thought of for this high and untried office. George Washington was unanimously chosen.

7. New York City was to be the seat of government, and as Washington traveled thither from his home in Virginia he had enthusiastic greetings everywhere. A few days after his arrival - April 30, 1789 — the ceremony of inauguration took place on the balcony of what was then the senate-chamber. The oath of office was read by the chancellor of New York and repeated by Washington. Then from the assembled multitude arose a mighty shout, "Long live George Washington, President of the United States!"

8. Washington presided over the affairs of the new nation eight years with matchless wisdom and fidelity. A new government had to be organized, without any model to follow; and to guide the ship of the state through dangerous seas required a loftiness of character in the pilot and commander seldom to be found. Washington was equal to the task, and when he laid down his great office, the voice of the world hailed him as the Father of his Country.

9. Washington survived his withdrawal from public life only three years, dying at Mount Vernon in the last month of the last year of the last century. His decease was very sudden. On the morning of the 13th of December, while making the rounds of his estate, he was exposed to a storm of sleet, and took cold. This was followed by a violent attack of croup, and before midnight of the following day the spirit of the beloved patriot had taken its flight. His last words were, “It is well!"

10. The eulogies on Washington would fill many volumes. When his death was announced to Congress, the president of that body spoke of him as "first in peace, first in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."

11. This is a golden sentence. And here is another recently uttered by a great English statesman, Mr. Gladstone: "If among the pedestals supplied by history for public characters of extraordinary nobility and purity, I saw one higher than all the rest, and if I were required at a moment's notice to name the fittest occupant for it, my choice would light upon Washington."

HEADS FOR COMPOSITION.

I. WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL where he met his officersspeech of Washington-an affecting scene-Washington resigns his commission.

II. WASHINGTON AS PRESIDENT: his election-time and place of his inauguration - his conduct as President.

III. CLOSING SCENES: nature of his illness - date of his decease his last words.

54. - Washington's Rules of Behavior.1

1. EVERY action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present.

2. Turn not your back to others, especially in speaking; jog not the table or desk on which another reads or writes; lean not on any one.

3. Be no flatterer; neither play with any one that delights not to be played with.

4. Read no letters, books, or papers in company; but when there is a necessity for doing it, you must ask leave. Come not near the books or writings of any one so as to read them, unless desired, nor give your opinion of them unasked; also, look not nigh when another is writing a letter.

5. Make no show of taking great delight in your victuals; feed not with greediness; lean not on the table; neither find fault with what you eat.

1 These rules are selected from a much greater number of maxims of behavior compiled by George Washington when he was thirteen years old.

6. Be not angry at table, whatever happens; and if you have reason to be so, show it not: put on a cheerful countenance, especially if there be strangers, for good humor makes one dish of meat a feast.

7. When you meet with one of greater quality than yourself, stop and retire, especially if it be at a door or any strait place, to give way to him to pass.

8. In writing or speaking, give to every person his due title, according to his degree and the custom of the place.

9. Strive not with your superiors in argument, but always submit your judgment to others with modesty.

10. Be not forward, but friendly and courteous; the first to salute, hear, and answer; and be not pensive when it is time to converse.

11. Use no reproachful language against any one; nor curse, nor revile.

12. Play not the peacock, looking everywhere about you to see if you be well decked, if your shoes fit well, if your stockings set neatly, and clothes handsomely.

13. Think before you speak; pronounce not imperfectly, nor bring out your words too hastily, but orderly and distinctly.

14. Undertake not what you cannot perform, but be careful to keep your promise.

15. Be not tedious in discourse. Make not many digressions, nor repeat often the same manner of dis

course.

16. When you deliver a matter, do it without passion, and with discretion, however mean the person may be you do it to.

17. Associate yourself with men of good quality, if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company.

18. Go not thither where you know not whether you shall be welcome or not. Give not advice without being asked; and when desired, do it briefly.

19. Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any.

20. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest; scoff at none, although they give occasion.

21. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

22. When a man does all he can, though it succeeds not well, blame not him that did it.