brings me to an end;
      But this informs me I shall never die. 
      The soul, secured in her existence, smiles
      At the drawn dagger and defies its point. 
      The stars shall fade away, the sun himself
      Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years;
      But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth,
      Unhurt amidst the war of elements,
      The wrecks of matter, and the crush of worlds. 
          
                                            —­Addison.

Notes.—­The above selection is Cato’s soliloquy just before committing suicide.  It is from the tragedy of “Cato.”

Cato, Marcus Porcius, (b. 95, d. 46 B. C.) was a Roman general, statesman, and philosopher.  He was exceptionally honest and conscientious, and strongly opposed Caesar and Pompey in their attempts to seize the state.  When Utica, the last African city to resist Caesar, finally yielded, Cato committed suicide.

Plato (b. 429, d. about 348 B. C.) was a celebrated Greek philosopher.  His writings are all in the form of dialogues, and have been preserved in a wonderfully perfect state.

CXXX.  CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON. (440)

Jared Sparks, 1789-1866, was born at Willington, Connecticut, and graduated at Harvard in 1815.  He was tutor in the University for two years, and in 1819 was ordained pastor of the Unitarian Church in Baltimore.  In 1823 he returned to Boston, purchased the “North American Review,” and was its sole editor for seven years.  From 1839 to 1849 he was Professor in Harvard, and for the next three years was President of the University.  Mr. Sparks has written extensively on American history and biography, including the lives of Washington and Franklin.  He collected the materials for his biographies with great care, and wrought them up with much skill. ###

The person of Washington was commanding, graceful, and fitly proportioned; his stature six feet, his chest broad and full, his limbs long and somewhat slender, but well-shaped and muscular.  His features were regular and symmetrical, his eyes of a light blue color, and his whole countenance, in its quiet state, was grave, placid, and benignant.  When alone, or not engaged in conversation, he appeared sedate and thoughtful; but when his attention was excited, his eye kindled quickly, and his face beamed with animation and intelligence.

He was not fluent in speech, but what he said was apposite, and listened to with the more interest as being known to come from the heart.  He seldom attempted sallies of wit or humor, but no man received more pleasure from an exhibition of them by others; and, although contented in seclusion, he sought his chief happiness in society, and participated with delight in all its rational and innocent amusements.  Without austerity on the one hand, or an appearance of condescending familiarity on the other, he was affable, courteous, and cheerful; but it has often been remarked that there was a dignity in his person and manner not easy to be defined, which impressed everyone that saw him for the first time with an instinctive deference and awe.  This may have arisen, in part, from a conviction of his superiority, as well as from the effect produced by his external form and deportment.