mation, he darted to the door with the rapidity of lightning. The inner door was open; and the jailer, who had just let some one in, was closing it as Brown passed violently through it. The jailer knocked him down with a massy iron key which he held in his hand; and Brown was carried back, lifeless and covered with blood, to his cell.

"Mrs. Brown died; and her husband was denied even the sad privilege of closing her eyes. He lingered for some time; till, at last, he called me, one day, and, gazing on me, while a faint smile played upon his lips he said, 'He believed death was more kind than his creditors.' After a few convulsive struggles, he expired.

"Legislators and sages of America! permit me to ask you, how much benefit has that creditor derived from the imprisonment, and consequent death of an amiable man, in the bloom of youth, who, without this cruelty, might have flourished, even now, an ornament and a glory to the nation?"

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINTH.
Celestial Wisdom.

How happy is the man who hears
Instruction's warning voice;
And who celestial wisdom makes
His early, only choice.

For she has treasures greater far
Than east or west unfold;
And her reward is more secure
Than is the gain of gold

In her right hand she holds to view
A length of happy years,

And in her left, the prize of fame
With honor bright appears.

She guides the young, with innocence,
In pleasure's path to tread:
A crown of glory she bestows
Upon the hoary head.

According as her labors rise,
So her rewards increase:
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTIETH.

Death of Washington.

The equanimity which attended him through life, did not forsake him on his death-bed. He submitted to the inevitable stroke, with the becoming firmness of a man, the calmness of a philosopher, the resignation and confidence of a Christian. When convinced that his dissolution was fast approaching, he requested leave to die without further interruption: then, undressing himself, went tranquilly to bed, and, having placed himself in a suitable attitude, soon afterwards closed his eyes with his own hands, and yielded up his spirit without a struggle.

As no pencil has been able correctly to delineate the impressive dignity of his countenance; nor any chisel, the majestic figure of his person; so no pen can fully concentrate the transcendent qualities of his mind, or the amiable dispositions of his heart. The history of his country is his best eulogium; his most faithful monument, the love and admiration of the world.

The same Providence which guided the affairs of

the revolution, and, in the agency of Washingtou, raised man almost above his accustomed rank in the creation withdrew his favorite production, when human talen or human virtue was no longer sufficient to preserve the tranquillity, or retain the veneration of his country. The pages of futurity, if then unfolded, would have reversed the deep sensations of regret, by changing into thankfulness the unequalled feelings caused by a departure, at an age that promised many years of happiness to himself and benefit to his country.

The mind of the great Washington was not more solicitous for the welfare of the nation, than for the comfort of the poor. His charities, whilst given with a discerning, were diffused with an unsparing, hand. On each of his plantations, a corn house was every year filled, solely for their use; on one of his best fishing shores he kept, in complete order for them, a boat and net; and men ready to help those who were themselves too weak to haul the seine: and, so feelingly attentive was he to any poor persons who wished to speak to him, that he had a room set apart for them; and, though in company with the most distinguished characters, he instantly begged a few moments' absence, and attended the distressed.

General Washington had never any offspring. In his twenty-seventh year he had married Mrs. Custis, a lady, who to a handsome person and large fortune, added every accomplishment that contributes to the felicity of the connubial state. To Mrs. Washington, his domestic partner for forty years, he bequeathed, during her life, Mount Vernon and a considerable share of his extensive lands, which, on her decease, were to become the property of his nephew, Bushrod Washington To his brother Charles, he left only a memorial of his affection, in consideration of the ample provision made by him for his children. Mrs. Washington's grand-children were remembered as his own; every branch of his numerous relations, and many

charitable institutions, experienced the liberality of his heart. He directed that his negroes should be emancipated after Mrs. Washington's decease; lamenting that impediments insurmountable had prevented his liberating them before, he provided for the support and education of the young on his plantations and for the maintenance of the old and infirm.

How foolish they who lengthen night,
And slumber in the morning light!
How sweet at early morning's rise,
To view the glories of the skies,
And mark with curious eye, the sun
Prepare his radiant course to run!
Its fairest form then nature wears,
And clad in brightest green appears.
The sprightly lark, with artless lay,
Proclaims the entrance of the day.

How sweet to breathe the gale's perfume,
And feast the eye with nature's bloom!
Along the dewy lawn to rove,

And hear the music of the grove!
Nor you, ye delicate and fair,
Neglect to taste the morning air;
This will your nerves with vigor brace,
Improve and heighten every grace;
Add to your breath a rich perfume;
And to your cheeks a fairer bloom:
With lustre teach your eyes to glow,
And health and cheerfulness bestow.

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SECOND

Compassion and Forgiveness.

I hear the voice of wo;

A brother mortal mourns:

My eyes with tears, for tears o'erflow;
My heart his sighs return.

I hear the thirsty cry,

The famished beg for bread:
O let my spring its streams supply;
My hand its bounty shed.-

And shall not wrath relent,
Touched by that humble strain,
My brother crying, "I repent,
Nor will offend again!"

How else, on sprightly wing,

Can hope bear high my prayer,
Up to thy throne, my God, my King,
To plead for pardon there?

LESSON ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THIRD

The Bears of Missouri.

To render the purchase of Louisiana of the utmost benefit, as well as to extend the field of natural science, Messrs. Lewis and Clarke, both officers of the regular army, were sent by the president, Mr. Jefferson, with instructions drawn by himself, to explore the river Missouri and the contiguous countries, and discover the best communication with the Pacific ocean. Never was an arduous enterprise accomplished with more ability and prudence. Accompanied by thirtyfive persons, mostly soldiers, they embarked at St.