CHAPTER XV.

E come now to the last chapter in the history of Washington-to the last scene of his glorious life in this world, which he left but to join the immortal company of great and good in Heaven. Mr. Bushrod Washington, one of his nephews, visited him a few days before his death.

During this visit to the General," he says, "we walked together about the grounds, and talked of various improvements he had in contemplation. The lawn was to be extended down to the river in the direction of the old vault, which was to be removed on account of the inroads made by the roots of the trees, with which it is crowned, which caused it to leak. I intend to place it there,' said he pointing to the spot where the new vault now stands 'First of all, I shall make this change; for, after all, I may require it before the rest.'

When I parted from him, he stood on the steps of the front door, where he took leave of myself and another, and wished us a pleasant journey, as I was going to Westmoreland on business. It was a bright frosty morning, he had taken his usual ride, and the clear healthy flush on his cheek, and his sprightly manner, brought the remark from both of us that we had never seen the General look so well. I have sometimes thought him decidedly the handsomest man I ever saw; and when in a lively mood, so full of pleasantry, so agreeable to all with whom he associated, that I could hardly realize that he was the same Washington whose dignity awed all who approached him. A few days after, being on my return home in company with others, while we were conversing about Washington, I saw a servant rapidly riding towards us. On his near approach, I recognised him as belonging to Mount Vernon. He rode up his countenance told the story-he handed me a letter. Washington was dead!"

The most authentic and most interesting account of this melancholy event, is given by Tobias Lear, one of his attendants, who drew up the following statement, on the day after its occurrence. We have no fear that our readers will think the details too particular.

"On Thursday, December 12th, the General rode out to his farm at about ten o'clock, and did not return home till past three. Soon after he went out, the weather became very bad; rain, hail, and snow falling alternately, with a cold wind. When he came in, I carried some letters to him to frank, intending to send them to the post-office. He franked the letters, but said the weather was too bad to send a servant to the office that evening. I observed to him that I was afraid he had got wet; he said nohis great-coat had kept him dry; but his neck appeared to be wet-the snow was hanging to his hair.

"He came to dinner without changing his dress. In the evening he appeared as well as usual. A heavy fall of snow took place on Friday, which prevented the General from riding out as usual. He had taken cold, (undoubtedly from being so much exposed the day before,) and complained of having a sore throat; he had a hoarseness, which increased in the evening, but he made light of it, as he would never take anything to carry off a cold,-always observing, "let it go as it came." In the evening, "In the papers having come from the post-office, he sat in the room, with Mrs. Washington and myself, reading them, till about nine o'clock; and, when he

met with anything which he thought diverting or interesting, he would read it aloud. He desired me to read to him the debates of the Virginia Assembly, on the election of a senator and governor, which I did. On his retiring to bed, he appeared to be in perfect health, except the cold, which he considered as trifling—he had been remarkably cheerful all the evening.

"About two or three o'clock on Saturday morning, he awoke Mrs. Washington, and informed her he was very unwell, and had an ague. She observed that he could scarcely speak, and breathed with difficulty, and she wished to get up and call a servant; but the General would not permit her, lest she should take cold. As soon as the day appeared, the woman Caroline went into the room to make a fire, and the girl desired that Mr. Rawlins, one of the overseers, who was used to bleeding the people, might be sent for to bleed him before the Doctor could arrive. I was sent for-went to the General's chamber, where Mrs. Washington was up, and related to me his being taken ill between two and three o'clock, as before stated. I found him breathing with difficulty, and hardly able to utter a word intelligibly. I went out instantly, and wrote a line to Dr. Plask, and sent it with all speed. Immediately

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I returned to the General's chamber, where I found him in the same situation I had left him. A mixture of molasses, vinegar and butter, was prepared, but he could not swallow a drop; whenever he attempted it he was distressed, convulsed, and almost suffocated. "Mr. Rawlins came in soon after sunrise, and prepared to bleed him; when the arm was ready, the General observing Rawlins appeared agitated, said, with difficulty, "don't be afraid;" and, after the incision was made, he observed the orifice was not large enough-however the blood ran pretty freely. Mrs. Washington, not knowing whether bleeding was proper in the General's situation, begged tha much blood might not be taken from him, and desired me to stop it. When I was about to untie the string, the General put up his hand to prevent it, and, so soon as he could speak, said "more."

"Mrs. Washington being still uneasy lest too much blood should be taken, it was stopped, after about half a pint had been taken. Finding that no relief could be obtained from bleeding, and that nothing could be swallowed, I proposed bathing the throat externally with sal volatile, which was done ; a piece of flannel was then put around his neck. His feet were also soaked in warm water, but it gave no relief. By Mrs. Washington's request, I des