Washington was present at the inauguration of his successor John Adams, and after receiving new public testimonials of the respect of his fellow citizens, he turned his steps towards Mount Vernon, " as a wearied traveller who sees a resting place, and is bending his body to lean thereon." His journey was every where interrupted by the usual expressions of affectionate regard.
The retirement of Washington was almost wholly devoted to agriculture, study, and an extensive correspondence. his privacy was frequently dis turbed by the addresses of legislative bodies and of his fellow-citizens, for the eyes and memories of all turned without ceasing to the statesman and soldier of America. On only one more occasion did he involve himself in the troubles of public duty. It was when the arrogance of the French Directory threatened immediate war against his beloved country: at that epoch he submitted himself to the public voice, and accepted the post of lieutenant general and commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States. The danger passed away, and harmony was restored in consequence of another change in the government of France.
The hour had now come which was to bear with it the final separation of the illustrious be nefactor and his grateful fellow-citizens. A slight exposure to rain on the 13th of December 1799, brought on an inflammatory affection of the wind pipe, which in two days produced dissolution. From the beginning Washington was sensible that his death was inevitable, and he only submitted to the exertions of his physicians as an obligation of christian duty. "Doctor," said the expiring hero, "I am dying, and 1 have been dying for a long time, but I am not afraid to die." He retained until the last moment the full possession of all his faculties. In the strong language of the senate, "favoured of Heaven, he departed without exhibit ing the weakness of humanity: magnanimous in death, the darkness of the grave could not obscure his brightness." His affairs were arranged with that serene equanimity which had marked him in all the critical occasions of his great and varied career.
The intelligence of the death of Washington was received by the American people with all that deep and mournful feeling which was due to so great a national calamity. An immense concourse of citizens paid his mortal remains the last earthly honours. The two houses of Congress immediately
adjourned. The speaker's chair was shrouded with black, and the members wore mourning during the remainder of the session. Resolutions passed unanimously in honour of him, who was emphati cally pronounced, "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow-citizens." " On this occasion,•' said the address of the senate, "it is manly to weep. To lose such a man, at such a crisis, is no common calamity to the world. Our country mourns a father. The Almighty disposer of human events has taken from us our greatest benefactor and ornament. It becomes us to submit with reverence to HIM, who 'rnaketh the darkness his pavilion.' " A solemn funeral procession took place from the capitol on the 26th of December; on which, occa sion, an eloquent oration, prepared at the request of Congress, was delivered by General Lee. The people of the United States wore crape on the left arm for thirty days; and throughout the country, public discourses gave expression to the nation's grief.
The character of Washington has been ably drawn, though with some small shades of differ ence, by Chief Justice Nlarshall and Mr. Jefferson. We shall endeavour to combine the two, tio as to form a full and impartial sketch.
his person was fine; his stature above the com mon size and exactly what one would wish: his de portment easy, erect and noble: the best horseman of his age, and the most graceful figure that could he seen on horseback. His constitution was vigor ous and capable of enduring the greatest fatigues. The beholder gazed with admiration upon him as A combination and a form, indeed, Where every god did seem to set his seal, To give the world aasmance of a man.
The manners of .Washington were reserved and dignified without haughtiness. All who approached him felt the indescribable influence of his demean our, and none ventured upon hasty or undue fami liarity. With those in whom he confided he con versed freely, but always with solidity, and never with attempted brilliancy. Ilis attachments were in no case hastily formed; he calculated each man's value, and gave him a sure esteem proportioned to it: in return, the affections of his friends were ar dent, but always respectful.