commanders, who were not really above him in rank. He immediately set off to visit the troops that had been placed in different situations along the borders of the province; and on his return to prepare for an active defence, he was overtaken by a messenger, with an account, that a number of French troops and Indian warriors, divided into parties, were capturing and murdering the inhabitants of the back settlements, burning the houses, and destroying the crops; and that the troops stationed there, were unable to protect them. Washington immediately used every means within his power to provide for their relief; but it was impossible to defend, with a few troops, a frontier of almost four hundred miles, from an enemy that "skulked by day, and plundered by night." While he was anxiously doing what he could, he wrote to the governor an account of the distress around him; and added, "I see their situation, I know their danger, and participate in their sufferings, without having the power to give them further relief than uncertain promises. The supplicating tears of the women, and the moving petitions of the men, melt me with deadly sorrow." It might have been expected, that the people in their distress. would blame him for not protecting them better; but no murmur rose against him; they all acknowledged,

that he was doing as much for them as was within his power. He wrote the most pressing requests for more assistance; but instead of receiving it, he was treated unkindly, as he related in a letter to a friend. "Whence it arises, or why, I am truly ignorant, but my strongest representations of matters, relative to the peace of the frontiers, are disregarded as idle and frivolous; my propositions and measures as partial and selfish; and all my sincerest endeavours for the service of my country, perverted to the worst purposes. My orders are dark, doubtful and uncertain. To-day approved, to-morrow condemned; left to act and proceed at hazard, and blamed without the benefit of defence. However, I am determined to bear up some time longer, in the hope of better regulations." Though disappointed in all his best formed plans, by the obstinacy and ill-nature of the person who had the power to control him, and pained by the increasing sufferings around him, which he was not enabled to relieve, yet he did not suffer an angry resentment to induce him to give up the effort of doing some good. He continued his active and humane endeavours, and pleaded for the relief of his suffering countrymen, until his pleadings were called impertinent. In answer to this he wrote to the governor, "I must beg leave, in justification of

my own conduct, to observe that it is with pleasure I receive reproof, when reproof is due; because no person can be readier to accuse me than I am to acknowledge an error, when I have committed it; or more desirous of atoning for a crime, when I am sensible of being guilty of one. But on the other hand, it is with concern I remark, that my conduct, although I have uniformly studied to make it as unexceptionable as I could, does not appear to you in a favourable light." With calm dignity he endured a continuance of such vexations, without ceasing to toil in his almost hopeless work of humanity.

A new commander of the British troops was sent from England, and he listened to Washington's opinion, that the frontiers could not be freed from the attacks of the Indians, in connection with the French, until they were driven from Fort Duquesne ; for that was the place from which they started on their destructive expeditions. When it was determined that this should be attempted, Washington advanced with a few troops, to open the way for the army; but before they reached the fort, the French left it. The English took possession of it in November, 1758, and named it Fort Pitt. As Washington had expected, the possession of this fort prevented all further attacks on the frontiers; and when

his countrymen were secured from the dangers against which he had left his farm to assist in defending them, he determined on returning to it. His health had been injured by his exposure to severe cold, and being often, for many days, unsheltered from the falling rain; and he felt that he ought to use means to restore it, as he could do so without neglecting a more important duty. He resigned his commission, and the officers whom he had commanded united in offering to him affectionate assurances of regret for the loss of "such an excellent commander, such a sincere friend, and so affable a companion."

Soon after his return to his farm, in the twentyseventh year of his age, he married Mrs. Custis, a lady to whom he had been long attached, and who was deserving of his affection. She had an amiable temper, and was an agreeable companion; and in performing all the duties of a wife, she made his home a scene of domestic comfort, which he felt no desire to leave. Employing himself in directing the cultivation of his ground, and in the performance of all the private duties of his situation, he lived for several years in retirement, except when attending the legislature of Virginia, of which he was a member.

For the benefit of his health, he sometimes visited

a public spring in his native state, to which sick persons went, with the hope of being relieved by using the water. At the season when there were many persons there, it was the custom of a baker to furnish a particular kind of bread, for those who could afford to pay a good price for it. One day it was observed by a visiter, that several miserably poor sick persons tottered into the room where the bread was kept, and looked at the baker, who nodded his head, and each one took up a loaf, and, with a cheerful countenance, walked feebly away. The visiter praised the baker for his charitable conduct, in letting those have his bread, whom he knew could never pay him; but he honestly answered, "I lose nothing. Colonel Washington is here, and all the sick poor may have as much of my bread as they can eat; he pays the bill, and I assure you it is no small one." Such was the beginning of the career of the greatest of men. This book is prepared for the youth of our country. Let them remember while they read it, that it was goodness as well as energy and ability which made our Washington's the first name in the world. In these days it is needful for all to study his character, and emulate it, that the republic of which he was the FATHER, may not be riven and destroyed.