sufficient for his household, which consisted of nearly one thousand persons. He was vi sited by all foreigners who travelled in North

America; and his hospitality and politeness He kept a pack of

ensured their esteem.

hounds, and generally hunted once a week, accompanied by a party of gentlemen from Alexandria.

His life was regulated by temperance; he rose early, and after spending the day in a variety of rural pursuits, he retired to rest about nine o'clock. This was his invariable rule, except when visitors required his polite. attention. His table was overspread with the most wholesome viands and pure wines, but he commonly dined on a single dish, which, with a few glasses of wine, formed his repast. His liberality patronised an academy at Alexandria, encouraged the interior navigation of the Potomac : he was the benefactor of the poor, and in short, like the sun to vegetation, his cheering influence and example promoted the happiness of society where he resided.

And here it may not be improper to give a description of the spot that was consecrated by the presence of a patriotic hero. Mount Vernon is situated on the Virginia bank of the Potomac, where it is nearly two miles

wide. The sloping mount rises two hundred feet above the surface of the river; the summit is about ten acres in extent, in the centre of which the mansion appears in majestic simplicity. The front next the river is embellished by a portico ninety-six feet long, and twenty feet high, supported by eight Doric columns. The wings are adorned with groves of various flowering shrubs and forest-trees, skirted by two large gardens, and the whole is terminated by the stables at one extremity, and a green house, schoolhouse, and servant's hall for the negro mechanics at the other. The prospect from the front is inexpressibly beautiful. A small wood park, that stretches along the banks of the Potomac, presents to the eye herds of the English deer and American wild deer, bounding among the thickets, or feeding on the herbage; these objects, together with the vessels that glide along the river, enliven the picturesque scene. Beyond a small creek, towards the north, an extensive plain exhibits corn-fields and pastures, with numerous flocks and herds; while the broad expanse of water, and the distant woodlands, cultured hills and vallies on the Maryland shore, present a rich variety of rural scenery, which form an admirable landscape.

In these peaceful scenes, Washington enjoyed the rational delights of rural life, from the year 1783, till the summer of 1787, when he was elected a delegate to the federal convention which met at Philadelphia to form the new Constitution, and was chosen President thereof. Whatever difference of sentiment there might have been amongst the citizens with regard to the principle, structure, or adoption of the new Constitution, there appeared but one sentiment as to the man who should sit at the helm of its administration. General Washington, after the adoption of the Federal Constitution, was on the 6th of April, 1789, unanimously elected President of the United States-whereupon the citizens testified with becoming joy their confidence and approbation at his appointment to the office of chief magistrate, and innumerable addresses reiterated his praise from every part of the union.

His triumphal entry into Philadelphia on his way to New-York, the seat of government, to assume the duties of this important office, merit a minute description. Early on the morning of the 20th of April, his Excellency Thomas Mifflin, Esquire, Governor of the state, the honourable Richard Peters, Esquire, speaker of the legislature of the state,

the old city troop of horse, and another troop from the city commanded by captain. Bingham, waited the arrival of their beloved WASHINGTON, at the line between the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware, to which place they had proceeded on the evening before.

After paying him the tribute of military honour due to his rank and exalted character, by proper salutes and otherwise, they escorted him into Chester, where they breakfasted, and rested a couple of hours.

This great and worthy man, finding he could not possibly elude the parade which necessarily must attend manifestations of joy and affection, when displayed by a grateful people, to their patriot benefactor, ordered his carriages into the rear of the whole line, and mounted an elegant horse, accompanied: by the venerable patriot, Charles Thompson, Esquire, and his former aid-de-camp, the celebrated Colonel Humphreys; both of whom were also on horseback.

On their way to the city, they were joined by detachments from the Chester and Philadelphia troops of horse, and also by a number of respectable citizens, at whose head was the worthy citizen and soldier, his Excellency Arthur St. Clair, Esquire, Governor of

the Western Territory. Thus they proceeded to Gray's Ferry, on the Schuylkill; observing the strictest order and regularity during the march. But here such a scene presented itself, that even the pencil of a Raphael could not delineate.

The bridge was highly decorated with laurel and other evergreens, by Messrs. Gray, the ingenious Mr. Peale, and others, and in such a style, as to display uncommon taste in these gentlemen, At each end there were erected magnificent arches, composed of laurel, emblematical of the ancient triumphal arches, used by the Romans, and on each side of the bridge, a laurel shrubbery; which seemed to challenge even nature itself, for simplicity, ease, and elegance. And as Washington passed the bridge, a lad, beautifully ornamented with sprigs of laurel, assisted by certain machinery, let drop, above the hero's head, unperceived by him, a civic crown of laurel. There was also a very elegant display of variegated flags on each side of the bridge, as well as other places, which alternately caught the eye, and filled the spectator's soul with admiration and delight.

But who can describe the heart felt congratulations of more than twenty thousand free citizens, who lined every fence, field,