faction, that he soon after received a commission from the government as one of the public surveyors.

4. At the age of nineteen, he was raised to the rank of Major, and was appointed by the Governor of Virginia to take charge of a military district, and to guard against the encroachments of the French, and the depredations of the Indians.

5. At length, these attacks of the French and Indians became so frequent and so serious, that the British government sent General Braddock with an army to drive them away. Washington served as his aid; and, in the battle in which Braddock was defeated and slain, and his army dispersed, he exhibited great courage, and also showed much skill in conducting the retreat.

6. After this, Washington retired to the estate at Mount Vernon, which had become his by the death of his brother. He was chosen a member of the legislature, and was often called to arbitrate between his neighbors. In 1759, he married Mrs. Martha Custis, a young widow with two children.

7. After spending nearly twenty years in dispensing the hospitalities of Mount Vernon, he was called again into public life by the war of the Revolution. In August, 1774, he was appointed one of the delegates from Virginia to the first Congress; and in June, 1775, he was elected commander-in-chief of the Continental army.

8. His first achievement was the deliverance of Boston from the British, who had possession of that place when the war broke out. The Americans could cut off their supplies by land, but not by sea; for their ships of war lay in the harbor, and were much superior to any American vessels. These ships of

war must be driven from the harbor; but how could that be done? Washington thought of a way.

9. In Dorchester, there was a high hill near the water's edge, which overlooked the harbor where the British vessels lay. If the Americans could but plant their cannon on the top of that hill, they could fire down upon the British ships, and force them to leave the harbor. This was accordingly determined upon.

10. In one night, the Americans silently planted their cannon upon this hill, and constructed breastworks, sufficient for their own defense against the British guns, while they might maintain their fire upon the ships.

11. When the morning light came, the British were astonished to see what had been done. The Americans had worked so industriously, that they were already safely intrenched in a most commanding position, from which they could effect the certain destruction of the British ships.

12. Two days after the occupation of Dorchester Heights by the Americans, the British commander notified Washington that he would leave the town, and sail with his soldiers out of the harbor, if he would allow him to do so undisturbed. This proposition was gladly assented to; and the British army soon embarked and sailed away.

13. The next brilliant exploit of Washington was his victory over the Hessians at Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians were German soldiers who were hired by the British to fight against the Americans.

14. One regiment of these troops was stationed at Trenton; and they were in no fear of being attacked, not only on account of the season of the year, it being midwinter, but because the American army was sep

arated from them by the broad River Delaware, which, being filled with floating ice, seemed impassable.

15. Washington thought it a favorable time to make a bold strike, and take the Hessians by surprise. Accordingly, his troops were conveyed across the Delaware by night, passing in boats among the floating ice; although the cold was so intense, that some of the soldiers were frozen to death.

16. By this bold adventure, he effected his object. In the morning, the Hessians found themselves surrounded by the American army, and, after a faint resistance, surrendered themselves prisoners of war. The next morning, Washington attacked and defeated the British forces at Princeton, and took three hundred prisoners.

17. The next successful enterprise of Washington, was the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army. In this battle, the whole British army were taken prisoners. This was so serious a blow to the British, that it virtually ended the war.

18. In 1789, Washington was chosen President of the United States. In this high and responsible office, he was enabled to perform services for his country, equal in importance to those he had rendered as military commander.

19. After holding this office eight years, he refused to be elected again, and retired once more to his home at Mount Vernon, to pass the remainder of his life as a private citizen. For a Chief Magistrate, thus voluntarily to retire from a position so high and commanding, was, at that time, a new and unheard-of thing; and it excited general astonishment.

20. The nations of Europe, especially, looked on with amazement, and could not sufficiently express their admiration of Washington's character. It must be confessed that the history of the world, neither before nor since, has exhibited an instance in all respects parallel.

21. He lived but three years after retiring from office, and died at the age of sixty-eight. His death was sudden and unexpected, and overwhelmed the country in deep sorrow. But he died at the height

of his fame, and before his name and services had begun to be overshadowed by more recent events.

QUESTIONS.-1. When was Washington born? 1. How old was he when his father died? 2. What was he employed to do? 3. What commission did he receive? 4. What appointment, at the age of nineteen? 5. What did the British government do? 5. What became of General Braddock? 5. What is here said of Washington? 6. After this, where did Washington retire? 6. Whom did he marry? 7. How long before he was again called into public life? 7. To what station was he appointed in 1774? 7. To. what, elected in 1775? 8. What was his first achievement? 8. What lay in the harbor? 10, 11. How were they removed? 12. What did the British commander propose to Washington? 13. What was his next exploit? 13. Who were the Hessians? 14. Where were they stationed? 14. Why were these troops in no fear? 15. What did Washington think and do? 15. What is said of the cold? 16. What occurred in the morning? 16. What, the next morning? 17. What was his next enterprise? 17. What did this virtually do? 18. What took place in 1789? 19. How long did he hold the office? 19. What did he then do? 20. How did the nations of Europe regard the character of Washington? 21. How long did he live after this? 21. How old was he when he died?

LESSON LXXXI.

6. In'ti-ma-cy, close friendship. 10. Nig'gard-ly, meanly covetous.

16. Pred-e-ces'sor, one who precedes another in the same office, place, &c.

16. Fru'gal, sparing, not profuse.

21. Pas'sion-ate-ly, ardently, vehemently.
23. Deign'ing, condescending.

71. Es'ti-ma-ble, worthy of regard.
76. Prej'u-dice, unfavorable bias.
77. Per-nicious, very hurtful.

ERRORS.Zak'ly for ex-act'ly; up-pin'ion for o-pin'ion; ne'gard-ly for nig'gard-ly; par-tic'e-lar for par-tic'u-lar; pop'e-lar for pop'u-lar; sas'sy for sau'cy.

AVERSION SUBDUED.-A Dialogue.

1. Belford. Sir, who is the present owner of the Brookby estate?

2. Arbury. A man by the name of Goodwin. 3. Bel. Is he a good neighbor to you?

4. Ar. Far from it; and I wish he had settled a hundred miles off; for he will surely spoil our neighborhood.

5. Bel. I am sorry to hear that; but what is your objection to him?