It is brilliant. The destroyers of nations stood abashed at the majesty of his virtues. It reproved the intemperance of their ambition, and darkened the splendour of victory.

The scene is closed; and we are no longer anxious lest misfortune should sully his glory. He has travelled on to the end of his journey, and carried with him ar increasing weight of honour. He has deposited it safely where misfortune cannot tarnish it; where malice cannot blast it. Favoured of heaven, he departed without exhibiting the weakness of humanity; magnanimous in death, the darkness of the grave could not obscure his brightness."

The committee appointed to devise some mode by which to express the national feelings, recommended that a marble monument be erected by the United States, at the city of Washington, to commemorate the great events of Washington's military and political life; that a funeral oration be delivered by a member of congress; that the president be requested to write a letter of condolence to Mrs. Washington; and that it be recommended to the citizens of the United States, to wear crape on the left arm for thirty days.

These resolutions passed both houses unanimously. The whole nation appeared in mourning. The funeral procession at the city of Washington was grand and solemn, and the eloquent oration delivered on the occasion by Gen. Henry Lee, was heard with profound attention, and with deep interest.

Throughout the United States, similar marks of affliction were exhibited. Funeral orations were delivered, and the best talents devoted to an expression of grief, at the loss of "the man, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his fellow citizens." 17#

* Goodrich.

98. Invention of Steam Boats.

The first successful application of steam, for the pur pose of propelling boats, was accomplished by Robert Fulton, a native of the state of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Fulton's inventive genius displayed itself at an early age. It seems that as early as the year 1793, he had conceived the idea of propelling vessels by steam, and he speaks in some of his writings with great confidence of its practicability.

After a number of years residence in Europe, and making a variety of experiments both in that country and in this, his labours were finally crowned with success.

In the spring of 1807, the first steam boat built in this country was launched from a ship yard in New York, on the East River. The engine, which he procured from England, was put on board in August, and the boat was completed, and moved by her machinery to the Jersey shore. This boat, which was called the Clermont, soon after sailed for Albany, which voyage she accomplished, going at the rate of about five miles an hour; she afterwards became a regular passage boat between New York and Albany. The account of her first voyage to Albany is thus described: "She excited the astonishment of the inhabitants on the shores of the Hudson, many of whom had not heard even of an engine, much less of a steam boat. She was described by some who had indistinctly seen her passing in the night, as a monster moving on the waters, defying the tide, and breathing flames and smoke. Her volumes of smoke and fire by night, attracted the attention of the crews of other vessels. Notwithstanding the wind and tide were adverse to its progress, they saw with astonishment that it was rapidly approaching them; and when it came so near that the noise of the machinery and paddles was heard, the crews, in some instances, sunk beneath their decks, from the terrific sight, and left their vessels to go on shore, while others prostrated themselves, and besought Providence to protect them from the approaches

of this horrible monster, which was marching on the ides, and lighting its path by the fires which it vomited."

From the time that this boat was put in motion, this noble invention has been rapidly extended; till it is now used in every part of the civilized world.

The following is from a discourse delivered by Judge Story, before the Boston Mechanics' Lyceum-"I myself have heard the illustrious inventor relate, in an animated and affectionate manner, the history of his labours and discouragements. When, said he, I was building my first steam boat at New York, the project was viewed by the public either with indifference, or with contempt, as a visionary scheme. My friends, indeed, were civil, but they were shy. They listened with patience to my explanations, but with a settled cast of incredulity on their countenances. I felt the force of the lamentation of the poetTruths would you teach to save a sinking land,

All shun, noné aid you; and few understand.

"As I had occasion to pass daily to and from the building yard, while my boat was in progress, I have often loitered unknown near the idle groups of strangers, gathering in little circles, and heard various inquiries as to the object of this new vehicle. The language was uniformly that of scorn, or sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh often rose at my expense; the dry jest; the wise calculation of losses and expenditures; the dull but endless repetition of the Fulton Folly. Never did a single encouraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, cross my path. Silence itself was but politeness, veiling its doubts or hiding its reproaches. At length the day arrived when the experiment was to be put into operation. To me it was a most trying and interesting occasion. I invited my friends to go on board to witness the first successful trip. Many of them did me the favour to attend as a matter of personal respect; but it was manifest, that they did it with reluctance, fearing to be the nartners of my mortification and not of my triumph. I was well aware that in my case there were many reasons to doubt of my own success. The machinery was new and ill made; many parts of it were constructed by

mechanics unaccustomed to such work; and unexpected difficulties might reasonably be presumed to present themselves from other causes. The moment arrived in which the word was to be given for the vessel to move; my friends were in groups upon deck; they were silent, and sad, and weary. I read in their looks nothing but disaster, and almost repented of my efforts. The signal was given, and the boat moved a short distance, and then stopped and became immoveable. To the silence of the preceding moment now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers, and shrugs. I could hear distinctly repeated, I told you it would be so-it is a foolish scheme-I wish we were well out of it.' I elevated myself upon a platform, and addressing the assembly, stated that I knew not what was the matter; but if they would be quiet, and indulge me for a half an hour, I would either go on, or abandon the voyage for that time. This short respite was conceded to, without objection. I went below, examined the machinery, and discovered that the cause was a slight mal-adjustment of some of the works. The boat was put in motion. She continued to move on. All were still incredulous. None seemed willing to trust the evidence of their own senses. We left the fair city of New York; we passed through the romantic and ever-varying scenery of the high-lands; we descried the clustering houses of Albany; we reached its shores; and then, even then, when all seemed achieved, I was the victim of disappointment. Imagination superseded the influence of fact. It was then doubted, if it could be done again; or if done, it was doubted, if it could be made of any great value.

"Such was the history of the first experiment, as it fell, not in the very language which I have used, but in substance, from the lips of the inventor. He did not live, indeed, to enjoy the full glory of his invention. It is mournful to say that attempts were made to rob him in the first place of the merits of his invention, and next of its fruits. He fell a victim to his efforts to sustain his title to both. When already his invention had covered the waters of the Hudson, he seemed little satisfied with the

results, and looked forward to far more extensive opera tions. My ultimate triumph, he used to say, my ultimate triumph will be on the Mississippi. I know, indeed, that even now it is deemed impossible by many, that the difficulties of its navigation can be overcome. But I am confident of success. I may not live to see it; but the Mississippi will yet be covered with steam boats; and thus an entire change be wrought in the course of the internal commerce and navigation of our country.

"And it has been wrought. And the steam boat, looking to its effects upon commerce and navigation; to the combined influences of facilities of travelling and the facility of trade; of rapid circulation of news and still more rapid circulation of pleasure and products; seems destined to be numbered among the noblest benefactions of the human race."

99. Wars with the Barbary States.

War with Tripoli.-In 1803, congress sent out a squadron under the command of Commodore Preble, to the Mediterranean, to protect the American commerce, and to bring the Tripolitans to submission. The Tripolitan cruisers had long annoyed our commerce; many merchantmen had been taken, and their crews imprison ed, and cruelly used.

After having taken a number of the enemy's vessels, Commodore Preble arrived before Tripoli, and blockaded the harbour; his force consisted of one frigate, three brigs, three schooners, and six gun boats. The number of men engaged in the service amounted to one thousand and sixty. With this force, Preble repeatedly attacked and bombarded the city, although it was defended by a castle and batteries, on which were mounted 115 pieces of cannon; besides this, they had armed vessels in the harbour. In addition to the ordinary Turkish garrison, and the crews of the armed vessels, estimated at 3,000, upwards of 20,000 Arabs had been assembled for the de