American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-05-19

1t was still summer evening, ahcn our little
vessel came to anchor near The western shore Of
the Potomac, between Fort Washington and Mount
Vernon Every feature Of the scene seemed to
parake Of that calmness, oil rather lassi,ude, which
we are apt to feel after the heat of summer day.
MOI bird nor an insect was seen IN motion. The
sea gull that had been sporting around u.s. some.
times dipping IN the wave her snowy wing, and
sometimes mounting in airy circles, had now gone
to rest. The silence that reigned around was un.
nterrupted-saye at times by the ripping pas
| sage OF shosl OF fish, the distant sound OF the
sturgeon leaping sportisely from his element aud
pnnging again into the deep.
The last rays OF the setting had left The sum-
init OF the eastern hills, and solitary star was look
ing forth pensively on the placid scene pelow. AT.
ter enjoying tor some time he beauty OF the eyen4
ing we all retired TO births But could not
sleep There ave Thousand anxious thoughts and
pleasing visions hat crowd upon the mind Of The
young adyenlurer. ~hen he FIRST leaves The scenes
OF his childhood He wandsrs in imagination
through the same fields and groves he has long
heqoented walks through the chambers of the pa
ternal mansion ana meets the persons with
whom he has been wont to associate An indea-
cribahle air OF gloom hangs each scene, which
like he morning mist, seems but to augment The
Ibrgh ard lovely objects that shining throughts
arose and went deck. The moon was iuss
rising over the green hills that skired The eastern
shore oil the river, few thin clouds were thrown
softened the lus're of her beauty. II was indeed
one OF the finest scenes ever witnessed AT some
distance above, Fort Washington rowned upon the
waves that flowed at her fret--a solitary light that
elimmered there was just visible, and meihought
could hear the slow monotanors foot fall of the senti-
mel as he paced his nightly round. What crowd OF
images did it bring to view! The rage of battle
and the ravages OF war; the strife for glory and for
wealth with all is rain of vice and suferings! and
| then when j looked up and bcheld the moon and
stars peacefully pursuing their destined paths in
obedience to the will of heaven, more than ever
regretted the weakness and the crimes Of men.
| In the midst of these mournful reflections, how
consoling il, when ! turned towards Moune
Vernon, and beheld the slvery light resting upon
the tomb of Washington Yet it was not with
those feelings OF emulation had once experienceds
when standing on the grassy mound which covers
his remains, beheld him in ina iDation like thu
| bold river that flows by his tomb; traye sing 10
| his youth the dark forests and romantic Wales Of the
west, gathering strength as he proceeded, and cal.
ling to his aid The tributary streams till he burst
with resstless force through the mountain barrier
then pursuing his majestic by many a dam
eeions ro.k. descending with imposing dignity
from his lofty eminente, and At last flowing calmly
and peacefully by the shades OF Mount Vernon,
down TO The vast -ngulphina
| ltwas her the man, thar the hero that now
admired. The heart that tell for the wounds of
that no persuasons of private interest could bibe-
no storm of party spirit shake There was pc, haps
never human character thai has claimed such Uni.
versai veDeraon. The greatest lovers oil peaces
nay, even the advocates OF resistance. repair
his trmb and shed the tributary tear. And when
that happy period OF unvel sal peace, to WIKI the
Christian world looks forward shall have arrived
when the Garth shall be robed in beauty the heavens
clad in smiles, and the human family united 10 the
bond OF brotherhood how will they lonk back
upon the character OF Washington? Will it not
still be with reverence? His name meihinks will
not be regarded as the names OF those who fought
for wealth glory. The spendor of his virtues
| will break through the gloom OF the age IN which
he lived. He will perhaps be regarded as an nstru.
ment in the hands of Divine Providence for achiev-
ing revolution which has shaken the dominion OF
error, and is still changing the face OF society.
FIRE then kindled which has shed the light OF
knowledge on distant regions, and will yet spread
wider and wider until the great mass OF mankind
shall feel its genial influence
Oh it is pleasing spectacle to the lovers OF
humanity, to behold the revolutions which are tax
ing place in the feelings. views and sentiments Of
mankind.
Far different from the revolutions recorded in the
history of past ages, when tyrant dethroned by
tyrant, and the degraded vassas knew no change,
accumulation of their burdens, and the gal
ling scouige OF a severe master. The most impor-
tant changes of the present day those which
take place in the intellectual world by the influx Of
lsh, and knowledge for these shall go on progress
sively TO illuminr and to bless each succeeding
generation, and the improvement which they bring
forth, being wrought in the immortal part OF our
nature must needs be eternal No stronger evidence
of these changes can be required than the league
which has been formed by the rnonarcha of Europss
to shut out and extnguish the light which has
beamed forth so brightly as to penetrate even the
strongest holds of prejudice and error. Like hos
-. l1st<rt k.rvyf oN