guiding us through the Revolution, in preparing us for the reception of the general government, and in conciliating the good will of the people of America toward one another after its adoption, I feel myself oppressed and almost overwhelmed with a sense of divine munificence. I feel that nothing is due to my personal agency in all those wonderful and complicated events, except what can be attributed to an honest zeal for the good of my country." 6. We question whether any of these testimonials of a nation's gratitude affected Washington more sensibly than those he received at Trenton. It was on a sunny afternoon when he arrived on the banks of the Delaware, where, twelve years before, he had crossed in darkness and storm, through clouds of snow and drifts of floating ice, on his daring attempt to strike a blow at a triumphant enemy. Here, at present, all was peace and sunshine; the broad river flowed placidly along; and crowds awaited him on the opposite bank, to hail him with love and transport. 7. We will not dwell on the joyous ceremonials with which he was welcomed; but there was one too peculiar to be omitted. The reader may remember Washington's gloomy night on the banks of the Assunpink, which flows through Trenton; the camp-fires of Cornwallis1 in front of him, the Delaware full of floating ice in the rear, and his sudden resolve on that midnight retreat which turned the fortunes of the campaign. On the bridge crossing that eventful stream, the ladies of Trenton had caused a triumphal arch to be erected. It was intwined with evergreens and laurels, and bore the inscription,-"THE DEFENDER OF THE MOTHERS WILL BE THE PROTECTOR OF THE DAUGHTERS.' 8. At this bridge the matrons of the city were assembled to pay him reverence; and, as he passed under the arch, a number of young girls, dressed in white and crowned with garlands, strewed flowers before him, singing an ode expressive of their love and gratitude. Never was ovation more graceful, touching, and sincere; and Washington, tenderly affected, declared that the impression of it on his heart could never be effaced. His whole progress through New Jersey must have afforded a similar contrast to his weary marchings to and fro, harassed by doubts and perplexities, with bale-fires blazing on its hills, instead of festive illuminations, and when the ringing of bells and booming of cannon, now so joyous, were the signals of invasion and maraud. 9. In respect to his reception at New York, Washington had signified in a letter to Governor Clinton that none could be so congenial to his feelings as a quiet entry, devoid of ceremony; but his modest wishes were not complied with. At Elizabethtown Point, a committee of both Houses of Congress, with various civic functionaries, waited by appointment to receive him. He embarked on board of a splendid barge constructed for the occasion. It was manned by thirteen branch-pilots, masters of vessels, in white uniforms, and commanded by Commodore Nicholson. Other barges fancifully decorated followed, having on board the heads of departments, and other public officers, and several distinguished citizens. As they passed through the strait between the Jerseys and Staten Island, called the Kills, other boats decorated with flags fell in their wake, until the whole, forming a nautical procession, swept up the broad and beautiful bay of New York to the sound of instrumental music. 10. On board of two vessels were parties of ladies and gentlemen, who sang congratulatory odes as Washington's barge approached. The ships at anchor in the harbor, dressed in colors, fired salutes as it passed. One alone, "The Galveston," a Spanish man-of-war, displayed no signs of gratulation until the barge of the general was nearly abreast; when suddenly, as if by magic, the yards were manned; the ship burst forth, as it were, into a full array of flags and signals, and thundered a salute of thirteen guns. He approached the landing-place of Murray's Wharf amid the ringing of bells, the roaring of cannonry, and the shouting of multitudes collected on every pierhead. 11. On landing, he was received by Governor Clinton. General Knox, too, who had taken such affectionate leave of him on his retirement from military life, was there to welcome him in his civil capacity. Other of his fellowsoldiers of the Revolution were likewise there, and mingled with the civic dignitaries. At this juncture, an officer stepped up and requested Washington's orders, announcing himself as commanding his guard. Washington desired him to proceed according to the directions he might have received in the present arrangements; but that, for the future, the affection of his fellow-citizens was all the guard he wanted. 12. Carpets had been spread to a carriage prepared to convey him to his destined residence; but he preferred to walk. He was attended by a long civil and military train. In the streets through which he passed, the houses were decorated with flags, silken banners, garlands of flowers and evergreens, and bore his name in every form of ornament. The streets were crowded with people, so that it was with difficulty a passage could be made by the city officers. Washington frequently bowed to the multitude as he passed, taking off his hat to the ladies, who thronged every window, waving their handkerchiefs, throwing flowers before him, and many of them shedding tears of cnthusiasm. LESSON CXXIV. 1CE SAR, CAIUS JULIUS, the first Roman emperor, was born July 12, B.C. 100. He was one of the greatest warriors that Rome ever produced. Having subjugated Gaul, he quarreled with Pompey, and, pursuing him into Greece, brought the contest to a final issue on the plains of Pharsalia, Aug. 4, B.C. 48. IIe next went to Africa; and, having vanquished the army under Scipio and Cato, he returned in triumph to Rome, and devoted himself to the duties of dictator. But his carcer was destined to be short. A conspiracy against his life was formed; and on the Ides, or 15th, of March, he perished by the hands of assassins in the senate-house, B.C. 44. As a warrior, statesman, and a man of letters, Cæsar was one of the most remarkable men that ever lived. BO NA PARTE, NAPOLEON, one of the most remarkable of military men, was born in Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean, Feb. 5, 1768: although he afterwards gave out that he was born 15th August, 1769; and that is usually considered as the period of his nativity. After leaving the military school at Brienne, he went to Paris, and entered upon his military career. In 1804, he became Emperor of France. After remarkable successes and reverses, he was defeated by the allied armies under Wellington, June 18, 1815. He was removed to St. Helena, where he died May 5, 1821. A LINCOLN'S JOURNEY TO HIS INAUGURATION. L. H. WHITNEY. SPECIAL train of cars was provided for him; and, on the eleventh day of February, 1861, bidding farewell to his neighbors and friends at Springfield in these solemn words, he took his departure: "My Friends, NO ONE, NOT IN MY POSITION, CAN APPRECIATE THE SADNESS I FEEL AT THIS PARTING. TO THIS PEOPLE I OWE ALL THAT I AM. HERE HAVE I LIVED FOR I MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY; HERE MY CHILDREN THE DAYS OF WASHINGTON. HIM, AND IN THE SAME ALMIGHTY BEING I PLACE MY RE- 2. Toward the conclusion of these remarks, himself and audience were moved to tears. His request that he might have the prayers of his friends and neighbors for his success was responded to by choked exclamations of "We will! we will!" As he turned, and entered the cars, three cheers burst involuntarily from a thousand lips; and a Godspeed and safe journey were wished him as the train moved slowly out of sight. When he went forth from his quiet home in the West to put upon him the majestic robes of that more than kingly office, the nation and the world listened to his utterances and watched his steps with extraordinary interest. 3. His journey was like the march of a conqueror. Curious crowds gathered all along the road to catch a glimpse of him as the train rushed past them. Cheers, the waving of hats and handkerchiefs, and the booming of cannon, greeted him at every station. At the last town in his State, he told the throng that gathered about him that |