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Crown'd by your hand, let Learning flourish here; And, cloth'd in fogs, bid Dullness disappear; Cherish the arts of usefulness and peace:

Q! let your own Columbia rival Greece.

Thus Genius spoke....express'd a parent's prayer; Rose on the clouds, and melted into air.

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NOTE.

I HAVE hitherto forborne to speak of American literature. I reserved a few thoughts on this subject, for a closing note. I shall not attempt to conceal the enthusiasm which I feel for meritorious performances of native Americans; nor can I repress my indignation at the unjust manner in which they are treated by the reviews of England. America, notwithstanding their aspersions, has attained an eminence in literature, which is, at least, respectable. Like Hercules in his cradle, she has manifested a gigantic grasp, and discovered that she will be great. The wisdom, penetration, and eloquence of her statesmen are undoubted.....they are known and acknowledged throughout Europe. The gentlemen of the law, who fill her benches of justice, and who are heard

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at the bar, are eminently distinguished by the powers of reason, and by plausibility of address. In mathematics, in the different branches of natural philosophy, in ethics, and in geographical researches, she has produced several who have excelled. Many of her divines have obtained large stores of the most useful information, have zealously combated with the weapons of persuasion, and have been successful servants in the cause of their master. The colleges, in all the states, have generally chosen their presidents from the body of the clergy.

Our historians have not been numerous. Some, however, who have unrolled our records of truth claim a-considerable portion of praise; although they cannot vie with a Robertson, a Hume, a Stuart, a Rollin, a Vertot, or a Millot. The prospect before us is now brightening. Histories have been promised from pens which have raised our expec tations. The death of our great Washington has left a subject for the American historian, which has never been surpassed in dignity. He, if possessed of historical talents, may consider himself,

in a literary point of view, as the most fortunate of men, with whom judge Washington has deposited the papers of his unequalled kinsman. From the poems and fictions of the Columbian Muse, several works might be selected, which deserve high and distinguishing praise. The poetry of our country has not yet, I hope, assumed its most elevated and elegant form.

Beneath our skies, Fancy neither sickens, nor dies. The fire of poetry is kindled by our storms. Amid our plains, on the banks of our waters, and on our mountains, dwells the spirit of inventive enthusiasm. These regions were not formed, only to echo to the voice of Europe; but from them shall yet sound a lyre which shall be the admiration of the world.

From the exhibitions of American talents, I indulge the warmest expectations. I behold, in imagination, the Newtons, the Miltons, and the Robertsons, of this new world; and I behold the sun of Genius pouring on our land his meridian beams,

In order to concentrate the force of her literature, the Genius of America points to a national university, so warmly recommended, and remembered in his will, by our deceased friend and father.... such an establishment, far more than a pyramid that reached the clouds, would honour the name of Washington.

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