1. CEASE LESSON LIII LOFTY ASPIRATIONS. DEM. REVIEW. your wild fluttering, thoughts that fill the soul! Silence awhile; 'tis but the hour of birth! Spurn not impatiently the mind's control, Nor seek the clouds ere ye have looked on earth: And starry eve comes on! 2. Why would ye sweep so proudly through the sky, And the cloud-armies thunder as they rove,- And tempt the lightning's wrath? 3. Will ye not linger in the earth's green fields 4. Throb not so wildly, restless spirit, now! Deep and undying though thy impulse be: Would not the roses wither on thy brow, When from thy weary chains at last made free? In such hot glare, would not the proud crest stoop, And the scorched pinion droop'? 5. I pause. In might the thronging thoughts arise, — A voice wherewith to speak: 6. "Say, can the children of a loftier sphere And give to joy the utterance of its lyre'? 7. "Must not the wing, that would aspire to sweep Through realms undarkened by the breath of sin, Dare in its earliest flight the trackless deep, Nor faint and feebly on the earth begin,Mount as a soaring lark in morning's glow, And leave the mists below'? 8. "We feel, in heaven's own ether, calm and high, 9. "No soul can soar too loftily, whose aim LESSON LIV. 1 WEST POINT, an important military post, is situated on the Hudson, just below Newburg. During the war of the Revolution, the infamous Benedict Arnold, who was in command of this post, agreed to deliver it up to the British. It is now the seat of the United-States Academy. THE GENERAL WASHINGTON'S ESCAPE. ANON. HE name of Washington is dear to every American. Distinguished not only for bravery and intelligence, but for the purest virtues which can adorn the huinan heart, he has been venerated in the memory of distant nations, and immortalized by the blessings he shed upon his country. He resembles the orb of day, imparting its twilight long after it is set, and invisibly dispensing its light and cheering warmth to the world. 2. Cautious and prudent, he was never surprised by the most disheartening failures, nor alarmed into compliance by the most undaunted threats. His eye could penetrate the darkest designs, and his powers of invention enabled him to escape the most formidable stratagems. The very means employed by the enemy to incommode him, were frequently, in his own hands, the instruments of their ruin. The following account of his escape from a treacherous plot to insnare him will serve as an illustration of his vigilance and eagle-eyed caution. 3. When the American army was stationed at West Point,' during the Revolutionary War, the British headquarters were not many miles distant, on the Hudson; and each was waiting, like the figures on a chess-board, for some favorable movement to disconcert and thwart the operations of the other. Scouting-parties would engage in frequent skirmishes; and wagons of provisions, ammunition, and clothing, would fall into the power of those superior in number and dexterity. 4. On one of these occasions, a quantity of English uniform was seized by an American detachment; and several notable advantages obtained by the latter, inspired the enemy with a desire to retaliate. About this time, while at West Point, General Washington had an intimate acquaintance residing not far from the army, in whose family he enjoyed the kindest hospitality, as well as relief from many of those sterner engagements which harassed his weary mind. As every circumstance was watched by either army, a visit like this, not many miles from their camp, could not long escape the cognizance of the British; and to possess a prisoner like General Washington, would tend, in their opinion, to shorten the period of the war. 5. But the undertaking was difficult: there were always advance guards to cover the American commander, and there was no mode of discovering his visits except by winning over some one of the family. The friend whom the general visited was once thought to have espoused the interests of the British; but he had taken a decided stand in favor of America, and, though a brave man, he professed the strictest neutrality, alleging, as his reason, his advanced years and dependent family. 6. During the intimacy of the general, it was rumored in the American army that his friend had been seen often returning from the British camp. Washington seemed to disregard the report; for he never ceased to visit the family, and apparently mingled as cordially with the host as if no suspicion had crossed his mind. At length, one day, as the general was taking his leave, his friend earnestly requested him to dine with him the following afternoon, em phatically naming the hour of two o'clock as the moment of expecting him. 7. He reminded him of the uncommon delight which his intimacy conferred; begged him to lay aside every formality, and regard his house as his home; and hinted that he feared the general did not consider it in that light, as the guard, that always accompanied him, seemed to indicate he was not visiting a friend. "By no means, dear sir!" ex claimed the worthy patriot: "and, as a proof of the confidence which I repose in you, I will visit you alone to-morrow; and I pledge my sacred word of honor that not a soldier shall accompany me." 8. "Pardon me, general,” cried the host; "but why so serious on so trifling a subject? I merely jested.”—“I am aware of it," said the hero, smiling; "but what of that? I have long considered the planting of these outposts unnecessary, inasmuch as they may excite the suspicion of the enemy; and, although it be a trifle, that trifle shall not sport with the friendship you indulge for me."-" But then - the hour, general?"—"Oh, yes! two o'clock, you said?"—"Precisely," returned the other. 9. At one o'clock, on the following day, the general mounted his favorite horse, and proceeded alone upon a by-road which conducted him to the hospitable mansion. It was about half an hour before the time; and the bustling host received him with open arms, in addition to the greetings of the delighted family. "How punctual, kind sir!" exclaimed the warm-hearted friend. "Punctuality," replied Washington, "is an angel virtue, embracing minor as well as important concerns. He that is not punctual with a friend, may doubt his integrity." The host started; but, recovering himself, he added, "Then yours is a proof that we enjoy your fullest confidence." |