exemplary follower of the Lamb of God, ever deriving her greatest satisfaction and delight in living agreeably to the dictates of the gospel. She was truly estimable in all the relations of life; but, among the distinguished traits of her character,none was more remarkable, than her constant and generous attention to the necessities of the poor.

She, for years, was expecting the approach of death from a deep rooted cancer in her breast; and was long desirous to lay aside her clayey tabernacle, to depart, and be with Christ, in whom was all her hope; yet she was enabled to exercise a becoming resignation to the will of God under all the sufferings she endured from her excruciating disorder. At length, she fell asleep in Jesus, leaving that precious name, which is better than that of many sons and daughters however distinguished in life, to enter on the rewards of grace.

MOUNT VERNON, VIRG.

895. Note. His excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, who was emphatically "the first in war, the first in peace, and the first in the hearts of his countrymer," was born at the ancient mansion of his American ancestors, at Bridge's Creek in Westmoreland county, on the 22 of February, according to the new style, 1732, and died, at his seat on Mount Vernon, saturday evening, 14 December, 1800.

Mrs. Washington, his amiable, intelligent, dignified, and pious consort, departed this life, on the 22 of May, 1892. Her original name was Martha

Dandridge. She was a sister of colonel Bartholomew Dandridge of New Kent county in Virginia. Her first husband, who died a few years after her marriage, was Daniel Custis, by whom she had one son, John Custis, a revolutionary officer and father of the present George Washington Parke Custis, esq. of Arlington near Alexandria, and one daughter, who died in early life. President Washington was not blessed with the endearments of children; but he was spared to be hailed by millions, as their father, benefactor, and friend.

UNITED STATES.

896. Note-General Washington's elegant cabi. net of medals is in the possession of captain Robert Lewis of Fredericksburg. It consists, principally, of those struck at Paris, under the superintendance of marquis De La Fayette, according to a resolve of congress, in honour of some of the illustrious revolutionary heroes of America. From this cabinet the author of this Collection took his account of several of those interesting medallick testimonials, which are noticed in this work.

GEORGIO WASHINGTON,

SUPREMO DUCI EXERCITUUM,

ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS.

COMITIA AMERICANA.

The foregoing is a copy of the inscription, which, with an elegant profile likeness of general Washington, is exhibited on one side of one of these

medals, to which is added the name of the artificer, DU VIVIER. On the reverse are the words,

HOSTIBUS PRIMO FUGATIS.

under which the general is represented on horseback attended by three of his aids. A view of Dorchester heights, Boston, soldiers, ordnance, etc. is also delineated, and at the base appears the following;

BOSTONIUM RECUPERATUM,

XVII MARTII, MDCCLXXVI.

MOUNT VERNON, VIRG.

897. TRESENTED BY THE GOLDSMITHS OF EDINBURGH TO DAVID ERSKINE, EARL OF BUCHAN, WITH THE FREEDOM OF THEIR CORPORATION, BY THEIR DEACON, A. D. MDCCLXXXXI.

Note-This is a copy of the inscription, neatly engraved on a silver plate fixed on a box made of the celebrated oak, which sheltered the patriotick sir William Wallace, after the unfortunate battle of Falkirk about the year, 1500. This characteristick box was a present to general Washington, from the earl of Buchan, through the hands of mr. Archibald Robertson. The earl had requested and obtained leave of the Goldsmiths' Company, to bestow it on the man, whom he esteemed more deserving of it, than himself. He therefore gave it to the illustrious hero of America. His lordship, in his letter, which accompanied the box, requested that general Washington, on the event of his decease, would transfer it to the man in his country, who, in his

judgment, should appear to have the strongest claims.

General Washington replied, "I accept, with sensibility and with satisfaction, the significant present of the box, which accompanied your lordship's letter. In yielding the tribute due from every lover of mankind to the patriotick and heroick virtues, of which it is commemorative, I estimate, as I ought, the additional value, which it derives from the hand, that sent it, and my obligations for the sentiments, that induced the transfer. I will, however, ask, that you will exempt me from a compliance with the request relating to its eventual destination."

In general Washington's will this box is bequeathed to the noble earl, from whom he received it.

MOUNT VERNON, VIRG

898. Note.-An excellent likeness of president Washington is frequently seen on some of the large Liverpool pitchers. The part of one of these pitchers containing this likeness has been carefully separated and elegantly framed by the direction of the hon. Bushrod Washington. It hangs in one of the rooms of the ancient mansion at Mount Vernon. On the back of this interesting picture is neatly written the following characteristick sketch of the great political father of the United States.

WASHINGTON, the defender of his country,

the founder of liberty, the friend of man. Hise tory and tradition are explored, in vain, for a parallel to his character. In the annals of modern greatness, he stands alone; and the noblest names of antiquity lose their lustre in his presence. Born the benefactor of man

kind, he united all the qualities necessary to an illustrious career. Nature made him great, he made himself virtuous. Called by his country to the defence of her liberties, he triumphantly vindicated the rights of humanity, and, on the pillars of national independence, laid the foundations of a great republick. Twice invested with supreme magistracy, by the unanimous voice of a free people, he surpassed, in the cabinet, the glories of the field; and, voluntarily, resigning the sceptre and the sword, retired to the shades of private life. A spectacle, so new and so sublime, was contemplated with the profoundest admiration; and the name of Washington, adding new lustre to humanity, resounded to the remotest regions of the earth.

Magnanimous in youth, gloricus through Fife, great in death; his highest ambition,