of caprice; it was beyond all visionary, and above all changeable feelings.  It was founded on nothing extraneous; not upon what he had said or done, but upon what he was.  They saw something in the man, which gave them assurance of a nature and destiny of the highest elevation—­something inexplicable, but which inspired a complete satisfaction.  We feel that this reliance was wise and right; but why it was felt, or why it was right, we are as much to seek as those who came under the direct impression of his personal presence.  It is not surprising, that the world recognizing in this man a nature and a greatness which philosophy cannot explain, should revere him almost to religion.  The distance and magnitude of those objects which are too far above us to be estimated directly—­such as stars—­are determined by their parallax.  By some process of that kind we may form an approximate notion of Washington’s greatness.  We may measure him against the great events in which he moved; and against the great men, among whom, and above whom, his figure stood like a tower.  It is agreed that the War of American Independence is one of the most exalted, and honorable, and difficult achievements related in history.  Its force was contributed by many; but its grandeur was derived from Washington.  His character and wisdom gave unity, and dignity, and effect to the irregular, and often divergent enthusiasm of others.  His energy combined the parts; his intelligence guided the whole:  his perseverance, and fortitude, and resolution, were the inspiration and support of all.  In looking back over that period, his presence seems to fill the whole scene; his influence predominates throughout; his character is reflected from everything.  Perhaps nothing less than his immense weight of mind could have kept the national system, at home, in that position which it held, immovably, for seven years; perhaps nothing but the august respectability which his demeanor threw around the American cause abroad, would have induced a foreign nation to enter into an equal alliance with us upon terms that contributed in a most important degree to our final success, or would have caused Great Britain to feel that no great indignity was suffered in admitting the claim to national existence of a people who had such a representative as Washington.  What but the most eminent qualities of mind and feeling—­discretion superhuman—­readiness of invention, and dexterity of means, equal to the most desperate affairs—­endurance, self-control, regulated ardor, restrained passion, caution mingled with boldness, and all the contrarieties of moral excellence—­could have expanded the life of an individual into a career such as this?