you. If it will not be too great a favour, it will cer tainly be remembered with gratitude."

In answer Gen. Washington wrote, with the usual address:

"I yesterday received your favour of the 8th instant, accompanied by so warm a recommendation from General Parsons, that I cannot but form favourable presages of the merit of the work, you propose to honour me with the dedication of. Nothing can give me more pleasure, than to patronise the essays of genius, and a laudable cultivation of the arts and sciences, which had begun to flourish in so eminent a degree, before the hand of oppression was stretched over our devoted country; and I shall esteem myself happy, if a poem, which has employed the labour of years, will derive any advantage, or bear more weight in the world, by making its appearance under a dedication to me. I am," &c. In the year 1779 Gen. Washington addressed the following respectful letter to "The Ministers, Elders, and Deacons of the Dutch Reformed Church at Rariton.— “Camp, MiddlEBROOK, 2 June, 1779.

"Gentlemen,

"To meet the approbation of good men cannot but be agreeable. Your affectionate expressions make it still more so. In quartering an army, and in supplying its wants, distress and inconvenience will often occur to the citizen. I feel myself happy in a consciousness that these have been strictly limited by necessity, and in your opinion of my attention to the rights of my fellow-citizens. I thank you, gentlemen, sincerely, for the sense you entertain of the conduct of the army,

and

for the interest you take in my welfare. I trust the goodness of the cause and the exertions of the people, under Divine protection, will give us that honourable peace for which we are contending. Suffer me, gentlemen, to wish the Reformed Church at Rariton, a long continuance of its present minister and consistory, and all the blessings which flow from piety and religion. I am," &c.

In August of 1789, Dr. Griffith, minister of Farifax Parish, Alexandria, but then Bishop-elect of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia, died in Philadelphia. On the occasion, Dr. William Smith preached a funeral sermon, in which the following words

occur:

"In the service of his country, during our late contest for Liberty and Independence, he was near and dear to our illustrious Commander-in-chief-he was also his neighbour, and honoured and cherished by him as a pastor and friend."

During his Presidency, Washington, as we have seen, attended public worship at Christ Church, Philadelphia. Of that church, Dr. White, was then the Rector; as he was also Bishop of the diocese of Pennsylvania. This aged and venerable man, often recurs with grateful remembrance to the kindly intercourse which subsisted between himself and his illustrious parishioner. He was a frequent and honoured guest at the mansion of the President-always sharing his marked attentions, with those of Mrs. Washington.

KINDNESS to the poor is made an essential fruit of Christian principle, by the authority of God's word. Numerous and express are the precepts of the inspired volume, inculcating this duty as one of high and paramount obligation. Without making it a substitute for real piety, it is uniformly declared to be a most excellent product of true religion, and necessary not only as an ornament but as a proof of sincerity in those professing the faith of the gospel.

There are many, indeed, who manage to evade this sacred obligation, never being at a loss for excuses, which if not sound, are at least plausible. At one time they think the poor are idle,―let them work and they will not want. If this excuse will not avail, as many of the poor cannot work then they say. "We cannot afford to give" and it may be that they will at last, with convenient facility, take shelter under the authority of God's word, for that end quoting the apostle,--" If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

Washington was faithful in this as in his other duties;

not seeking apologies for neglect, but rather for opportunities of discharging the claims of so excellent a virtue.

The following account rests on the authority of Mr. Johnson, former Governour of Maryland, and a soldier of the Revolution. The language of his informer was in substance as follows:

"Just before the revolutionary war, I took a trip to the Sweet Springs of Virginia. In consequence of the crowd, I at first found some difficulty in getting lodgings, but at length was fortunate enough to get a mattrass in the hut of a very honest baker, who often visited the springs for the benefit of his business. Among others who came daily to his shop for bread, there were sundry poor, sickly looking individuals who came in, and at his nod would take up each of them a loaf, and go out without paying, as others did. This led to an inquiry on my part, and to the assurance on his, that he had been authorized by Colonel Washington, who was at the springs, to furnish these people with bread, he engaging to pay the bill. This bill, he added, sometimes amounted to eighty dollars, and those who received the charity never knew from whence it came, entire secresy being enjoined on him by the benevolent donor."

An English soldier, who had been an attendant of General Braddock during his fatal expedition, and at his death, after that event entered into the service of Washington, and was attached to his person during the French and Indian war. After that he married, and a home was provided for him at Mount Vernon. "Being too old to follow his beloved commander in the struggle for independence, he was left at home to enjoy the repose which old age requires. Children loved to visit the old

soldier, and listen to the tales of the Indian war, which he delighted in telling. When Washington was passing round his farm, he often stopped to gladden the heart of of the gray-headed veteran, with kind words; and he lived to enjoy the comforts which had been provided for him until he was eighty years of age."

In the year 1769 Washington addressed the following kind proposal to a neighbour, Mr. W. R. :

"Having once or twice of late heard you speak highly of the New-Jersey College, as if you had a desire of sending your son William there, (who, I am told, is a youth fond of study and instruction, and disposed to a studious life, in following which he may not only promote his own happiness, but the future welfare of others,) I should be glad, if you have no other objection to it than the expense, if you would send him to that college as soon as convenient, and depend on me for twenty-five pounds a year for his support, so long as it may be necessary for the completion of his education. If I live to see the accomplishment of this term, the sum here stipulated shall be annually paid; and if I die in the mean time, this letter shall be obligatory upon my heirs or executors to do it, according to the true intent and meaning hereof.

"No other return is expected or wished for this offer, than that you will accept it with the same freedom and good-will with which it is made, and that you may not even consider it in the light of an obligation or mention it as such; for be assured, that from me it will never be known."

In 1774 he wrote to Edward Snickers, from Williamsburg-"Enclosed you will receive Mr. Hughes' warrant