the sole control and guidance of several children. We are told that her son George was but twelve years of age, at the time of his father's death, and that he retained little remembrance of his deceased parent. The pleasing recollection of his personal appearance, and of his paternal tenderness formed the only inheritance of memory in after years; while his emphatic testimony reverted invariably to his MOTHER as the source of his usefulness and success.

It was now that the extraordinary characteristics of Mrs. Washington began most strikingly to be exhibited.

Gifted with great firmness and constancy of purpose, as well as with a clear judgement, and remarkable mental independence, her self-reliance was rapidly strengthened, and soon rendered habitual by circumstances so peculiarly demanding its exercise, as those in which duty imperatively summoned her to act.

Her thorough knowledge of practical life enabled Mrs. Washington to superintend all matters relating to the affairs of her household, and, in a good degree, to supply, by her own indefatigable industry and ingenuity, whatever was necessary to the welfare and comfort of her family. Order, regularity and occupation reigned supreme in her little world of home.

She exacted implicit obedience from her children, and she tempered maternal tenderness with strict discipline; but we are told by one* who, as the companion

*Laurence Washington, Esq., of Chotank, who thus described his distinguished relative: "I was often there with George, his playmate, schoolmate, and young man's companion. Of the mother I was more afraid than of my own parents; she awed me in the midst of her kindness, for

of her son, occasionally shared her care and hospitality, that she was "indeed truly kind.”

In that genuine and judicious kindness lies the secret of the power always maintained by this venerated mother over the minds of her offspring. If she assumed the right to direct the actions of others, her daily life exhibited such powers of self-control and self-denial as convinced her children, by more irresistable evidence than words could possibly convey, of the justice and disinterestedness by which she was habitually actuated.

That she rendered their home, simple, nay even humble, though it might be, endearing to her children, is proved in some degree, by the frequency and pleasure with which, as we gather from much incidental testimony, the happy band that once rejoiced in the comfort and security of her well-ordered abode, in after years revisited the maternal roof. Indeed, we are expressly informed, upon the best authority, that an interdiction of the innocent amusements and relaxations, a taste for which is so natural to the young, formed no part of the system of juvenile training practiced with such preeminent success by Mrs. Washington.

She never rendered necessary restraint and discipline needlessly distasteful or repulsive by ascetic sternness or harsh compulsion. The power that sometimes gently coerced the subjects of her guidance was a moral suasion far more effective and beneficial than influences such as those can ever exert.

she was indeed truly kind, and even now, when time has whitened my locks, and I am the grandfather of a second generation, I could not behold that majestic woman without feelings it is impossible to describe."

Of all the mental qualities of this celebrated woman, perhaps none was more constantly illustrated in her life than her native good sense, the practical effects of which were infinitely more useful and precious to her children than she could possibly have rendered volumes of theoretical precept, however philosophical and profound.

To her possession of this unpretending, but invaluable characteristic, emphatically, her illustrious son was indebted for the education that formed the basis of his greatness.

This it was that taught the great WASHINGTON those habits of application, industry, and regularity that were of such essential service to him, alike in the camp and in the cabinet, and which so materially contributed to render his character a perfect model, bequeathed to successive ages.

This it was, that, by inculcating and enforcing habitual temperance, exercise, and activity, strengthened and developed the wonderful physical powers that were rivalled only by the indomitable will and stupendous wisdom of her son.

To his mother Washington owed the high value he attached to "the only possession of which all men are prodigal, and of which all men should be covetous:" and from her early instructions he imbibed that love of truth for which he was remarkable, and which is so pleasingly and forcibly illustrated in some of the favorite anecdotes of our childhood.*

*Our juvenile readers can scarcely fail to be familliar with the stories of "The Little Hatchet," and of "The Sorrel Colt," almost the only authentic

Trained to unvarying respect for the truths of revealed religion, in which she was herself a firm believer, and rigidly regardful of the dictates of an enlightened conscience, her gifted son was indebted to Mrs. Washington for his quick moral sense, and the unflinching adhesion to principle that so strongly marked every act of his public and private life.

The noble friend and pupil of Washington, and others among her numerous panegyrists, have likened the mother of the "Hero" to a Spartan matron. With due deference to the high source whence the comparison emanated, it seems scarcely just to her who was its subject. Her life reminds us rather, of those celebrated women whose names are recorded with grateful affection and respect by St. Paul, in his Epistles,—those heroic, self-sacrificing friends and champions of early Christianity, and its devoted advocates, who were 66 succorers of many," who scorned not to "bestow much labor" upon the temporal necessities of the Apostle and his fellowmartyrs, and who even "laid down their own necks" for them! Mrs. Washington was a CHRISTIAN MATRON, who derived her ideas of parental authority and government from the same Book, wherein she sought her own rules of life; and she was as múch superior to a Spartan mother, as are the inspired principles of our blessed religion to the heathen teachings which exalted mere physical courage above the highest virtues of humanity!

anecdotes of the childhood of the great American hero, and which also incidentally illustrate more than one of his youthful habits.

CHAPTER II.

"T is the Divinity that stirs within us!

ADDISON.

-Must such minds be nourish'd in the wild,
Deep in the upturned forests, midst the roar
Of cataracts, where nursing Nature smiled
On infant Washington? Has earth no more

Such seed within her breast and Europe no such shore?

BYRON.

We are unable to present our readers with any particulars of the life of MRS. WASHINGTON, for several years previous to the American Revolution, except such as are gleaned from the published accounts of those troubled times, as associated with the history of her son.

The incipient workings of the mighty spirit destined to achievements that should move the world, influenced the youthful Washington, when only fourteen years of age, to form plans for his independent maintenance.

He had actually taken the necessary steps preliminary to entering the English Navy, when the disapproval of his mother prevented the accomplishment of his design. Who shall say that the decisive interposition of