Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-08-03
From the Rochester Gem.

Paulding's Life of Wpshington.-We
have read this excellent work with great
pleasure and profit. We are never tired
OF contemplating the character of the Fa.
Their of his Country. Every new contem.
platlon but more clearly developes to oui
mind his exalted purity and patriotism, and
more firmly prove to us how worthy he is
OF the fond admiration of grateful coun-
try. These volumes were primarily de-
signed for the young, and from their beau
tlfully attractive style, they are eminently
calculated to win the attention of that class !;
but they will be read with great delight by
any who wish to imbibe the genius of the
greatest man that ever ruled nation or
led an army to battle.
These volumes are happily interspersed
with excellent moral reflections, and the
leading virtues of the patriots life are most
judiciously held up for admiration and imi-
tation. They add new laurels to the brow
of Mr.. Paulding, and prove him to be a
chaste and elegant writer, and peculiarly
adapted to the historic department of litera-
ture.
We subjoin description Of General
Washington's reception at Trenton, when
on his way from Mount Vernon TO New
York after his election to the Presidency.
1t is beautifully drawn and exceedingly af.
fecting:
"f1is reception at Trenton was peculiar
ly touching. 1t was planned by those fe-
males and their daughters whose patriotism
and suilerings in the cause of liberty, were
equal to those Of their fathers, husbands,
sons, and brothers. Ii was here, when the
hopes of the people lay PROSTATE on the
earth and the eagle of freedom seemed to
flap his wings, as if preparing to forsake the
world, that Washington performed those
prompt and daring acts, which, while they
revived the dropping spirits of his country,
freed, for time the matrons of Trenton
from the insults and wrongs of an arrogant
soldery.-The female heart is no sanctu-
airy for ingratitude; and when Washington
arrived at the bridge over the Assumpink,
which flows close TO the borders of the city
he met the sweetest reward that, perhaps,
ever crowned his virtues.
Over the bridge was thrown an arch of
evergreens and flowers, bearing the ahec-
ting inscription in large letters:
"DEcEMBER &c, 1776."
"The hero acho defended The mothers, pill
protect the daughters"
At the other extremity of the bridge
were assembled many hundreds of young
girls of various ages arrayed in white, the
emblem oftruth and innocence. their brows
circled with garlands and baskets of flow.
ers in their hands. Beyond these were
disposed the grown-up daughters of the
land, clothed and equipped like the others I;
and behind them the matrons, all of whom
remembered the never to be forgotten twen-
ty-sixth'o of December, l776. As the good
Washington left the bridge, they joined in
chorus, touchingly expressive of his SER
vices and their gratitude, strewing, at the
same time, flowers as he passed along.
That mouth whose muscles of gigantic
strength indicated the firmness of his char
acter and the force of his mind was now OBJ.
served to culver with emotion; that eye
which looked storms and tempests, enemies
and friends, undauntedly in the face, and
never quailed in the sight Of man, now
glistened with tears; and that hand which
had not trembled when often life, fame, and
the liberty of his country hung on the point
of a single moment, now refused its Office.
His hat dropped from his hand, as he drew
it across his brow"