friends that inquire after me. I am, honoured madam, your most dutiful son."

In a few weeks subsequent to the above, he wrote again :

"MOUNT VERNON, 14th August, 1755. "Honoured Madam,"

"If it is in my power to avoid going to the Ohio again, I shall; but if the command is pressed upon me, by the general voice of the country, and offered upon such terms as cannot be objected against, it would reflect dishonour on me to refuse it; and that, I am sure, must or ought to give you greater uneasiness, than my going in an honourable command. On no other terms will I accept of it. At present I have no proposals made to me, nor have I any advice of such an intention, except from private hands."

The following extract from a Diary, which he kept in the year 1760, the year after his marriage, will supply a gratifying instance of his filial devotion.

"Jan. 16th.-I parted with Mr. Gisbourne, leaving Colonel Champe's before the family was stirring, and about ten o'clock reached my mother's, where I breakfasted, and then went to Fredericksburg with my brother Samuel, whom I found there. About noon it began snowing, the wind at north-west, but not cold. Was disappointed of seeing my sister Lewis, and getting a few things, which I wanted out of the stores. Returned in the evening to my mother's; all alone with her."

From this period he was in the habit of regularly visiting his mother as long as she lived. Mount Vernon being about fifty miles from Fredericksburg, he performed this duty once or twice a year, except when

his public engagements prevented. In the Fredericksburg Newspaper of March 12th, 1789, we find the subjoined notice of one of his visits.

"On Saturday evening last, His Excellency General Washington arrived in town from Mount Vernon, and early on Monday morning he set out on his return. The object of his Excellency's visit was probably to take leave of his aged mother, sister, and friends, previous to his departure for the new Congress, over the councils of which, the united voice of America has called him to preside."

This was the last interview which Washington ever had with his mother. She died on the 25th of August following, in her 83d year, whilst he was in New-York. The writer has before him, a part of the mourning dress which he wore, as a token of respectful and affectionate remembrance of her who had given him birth. On opening her Will he was found to be her principal heir and chosen Executor. She gave him all her landed property. The language of the Will is as follows:-

"Imprimis, I give to my son General George Washington, all my lands on Accokeek Run, in the County of Stafford," &c.

The Will concludes thus:

"Lastly, I nominate and appoint my son General George Washington, Executor of this my Will; and as I owe few or no debts, I direct my Executor to give no Security, nor to appraise my Estate, but desire the same may be allotted to my Devisees with as little trouble and delay as may be-desiring their acceptance thereof, as all the token I now have to give them of my love for them."

The following letter, written by General Washington to his only sister, Mrs. Betty Lewis, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, will attest the filial sensibility with which he regarded the death of his mother, and the pious resignation cherished by him in reference to the event.

"NEW-YORK, 13th September, 1789.

"My Dear Sister,

"Colonel Ball's letter gave me the first account of my mother's death. Since that, I have received Mrs. Carter s letter, written at your request, and previous to both, I was prepared for the event, by some advices of her illness communicated to your son Robert.

"Awful and affecting as the death of a parent is, there is consolation in knowing that Heaven has spared ours to an age beyond which few attain, and favoured her with the full enjoyment of her mental faculties, and as much bodily strength as usually falls to the lot of fourscore. Under these considerations, and the hope that she is translated to a happier place, it is the duty of her relatives to yield due submission to the decrees of the Creator. When I was last at Fredericksburg, I took a final leave of my mother, never expecting to see her more.

"It will be impossible for me at this distance, and circumstanced as I am, to give the smallest attention to the execution of her will; nor, indeed, is much required, if, as she directs, no security should be given, or appraisement made of her estate, but that the same should be allotted to the devisees with as little trouble and delay as may be. How far this is legal, I know not. Mr. Mercer can, and I have no doubt would readily advise you if asked, which I wish you to do. If the ceremony of inventoring, appraising, &c. can be dispensed with, all the

rest, as the will declares that few or no debts are owing, can be done with very little trouble. Every person in that case, may immediately receive what is specifically devised.

"Were it not that the specific legacies* which are left to me by the will, are meant, and ought to be considered and received as mementos of parental affection, in the last solemn act of life, I should not be desirous of receiving or removing them; but in this point of view, I set a value on them much beyond their intrinsic worth.

"Give my love to Mrs. Carter, and thank her for the letter she wrote to me. I would have done this myself, had I more time for private correspondence. Mrs. Washington joins me in best wishes for her, yourself, and all other friends; and I am, with the most sincere regard, your affectionate brother."

May we not commend to the youth of our country, this example of persevering and respectful filial love. It commenced with his childhood, and distinguished him till its venerated object left the world, nor failed to move him with tenderest recollections in contemplating that event. And surely the wonted blessing attended it. The divine promise was richly fulfilled in his history. He "lived long upon the earth, and it was well with him all the days of his life." Filial piety is not only lovely, but it is ever advantageous; the approbation of the wise and good, with the blessing of God, crowning it with prosperity here, and bright rewards hereafter, its source being conscientious and religious.

* The legacies alluded to, consisted of a few plain articles of household furniture,

THE importance of this affection to the happiness of families, communities, and nations, has long since been established by the experience of mankind. On its decided existence in those united in the bonds of holy wedlock, the benefits of that divine institution mainly depend. Marriage is the fruitful source of the most of that felicity which may be attained in this world. It is the foundation of all the grateful connexions of life, and instrumental of the purest delights to those, who derive from it their unbought claims, to the joys of reciprocal love and tenderness. It is the prolific root, which teeming with the blossoms and fruits of domestic and social sympathy, diffuses so much sweet odour, so much real delight through the family and neighbourhood circles. Who can tell how much suffering has been averte, how much sorrow has been allayed, how much evil mitigated, or how much comfort has been imparted, by the mutual love and encouragement of husband and wife, parents and children, brothers and sisters, with the auxiliary kindness added, of kindred, united in acknowledged, though feebler bonds.

Of this sacred relationship, love is the hallowed cement, and bountiful nurse of all its numerous progeny of