Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-27

Which was iInms sdiately done. Calling to Col.
Lear. he directed: Let my corpse be kept
| for the usual period Of three days.
Here We would beg leave to remind our
readers, that, in former part OF this work.
we have said that Washington was old fash
ioncd in much OF his habits and manners, and
in some of his opinions; nor was he the less TO
no admired on those accounts. The custom
Of Keeping the dead for the scriptural period OF
three days, il derived from remote antiquity,
and arose, not from fear Of premature inter-
mcnt as in moro modern times, but from mo-
lives of veneration toward the deceased; for
the better enabling the relative, and friends to
assemble from a distance, TO perform tho fun
eral rites; for tho pious watchngs OF the
corpse; aad for the many sad, yet endearing
ceremonlals with which We delight 10 pay our
last duties to the remains OF those we have low
ed.
The patient bore his acute suGcrings with
manly fortitude, and pe'sect resignation to
the Divine will; while, as the night advanced,
il became evident that he was sinking, and he
seemed fully aware that his "hour was nigh
He inquired the time, and il was answered, a
few moments 10 twslve. He spske no more
the hand Of death was upon him, and ho was
conscious that his +" hour was come" With
surprising self-possession, he prepared TO die
Composing his form at length, aud folding his
hands upon his bosom--without groan- the
Father Of his Country expired, gently as though
an infant died. Nor 2ang or struggle told.
when the noble spirit took Its noiseless flight |;
while, so tranquil appeared the manly features
IN the repose OF death, that some moments ha i
passed ere those around could believe that the
Patriarch was no moro.
II may be asked, and why was the ministry
ofreligion wanting to shed its peaceful and be-
nign luslre upon tho last hours Of Washington
Why was he, to whom the observanccs Of sa-
cred things were ever primary duties, through
life. without their consultations in his last mo-
mcnts Wo answer, circumstances did not
permit. 1t was but for little while that the
disease assumed so threatening a character as
to forbid the encouragement Of hope; Yet, to
stay that summons which none may refuse, to
give still farther length Of days to him, whose
L" time -honored life'' was so dear to mankind,
prayer, was not wanting to the Throne Of
Grace. Close 10 tho couch of the sufferer,
resting her head upon that ancient book, with
which she had been wont to hold pious COM
munion, portion of every day, for more than
half a century, was the venerable consort, abb
sorbed in silent prayer, and from which she on
ly arose when the mourning group prepared to
bear her from the chamber of the dead. Such
were the last hours Of Washington"
Mr.. Custio' work, will DO looked for with
great avidity, and will probably be found in al
most every mans library. If the extract we
have copied, be faithful specimen Of the
whole book, it must BIO exceedingly interest
ing, and decidedly superior TO any that Mr.
Gusts has thus far written. Most Of his pro-
ductions, have been signalized by degroe of
vanity and egotism, which is barely suiferable,
and is only allowed, because the good nten-
tons OF the man, overcome every possible OBJ
lection, and throw mantle over his errors
In all his writings, he seems to have an eye to
himself IS well as his author, and it may Justly
be said of him, what was unjustly said Of
Writ. at the time he published his life ofPAr-
RICK HENRY, "this book is not the history
of Mr.. Henry, it is an EuIogy on the talents of
William Writ" Mr.. Gusts is a near relative
Of the Washington family, and has spent the
most Of his days, in collecting materials 10 add
still brighter lus,re, to the glory of his ances
tors.