unable to rally his soldiers, fled with a single companion, a trusty slave, who, leagueing his fortunes with those of his master, would not desert him. Osman, having sworn by the beard of the prophet that, so long as he could wield a sword, he would never become a prisoner to a Christian foe, determined to keep his oath, though he might perish in its fulfilment. Chance willed his escape, for, on getting to the water's edge, he found a fisherman's

had the Hospitallers resided in Cyprus, an Island the privations of a four years siege, and were which, for its beautiful scenery, its rich soil, many weak from the losses of an hundred attacks. Το fruits, and lovely climate, the ancients had dedicated the conquerors it was a dear-bought victory; for, to the goddess of love, when they were afflicted by in reducing the Island, the Grand-Master had exthe death of De Villiers, their brave and pious pended millions of money, and among the thouprince. The reign of this Grand-Master is memo- sands of his followers who had perished, were rable in the history of the Order for two remarka-many of his bravest Knights and choicest troops. ble events. The first, for the expulsion of the con- Hardly had the monks succeeded in bringing the vent from the Holy Land, which he fought so Island of Cos, and many other barren islets in its bravely to prevent, and secondly, for sending his neighborhood, under their rule, before they were ships to Europe to carry pilgrims to Jaffa, thereby called upon to defend themselves against a powerful laying the foundation of a naval force for his suc- force, which Osman surnamed the "bone breaker," cessors, which should be superior to that of any a warlike Turk, had landed on Rhodes to assault other power in the Christian world, for more than them. A desperate contest ensued, and the Ottofour hundred years. The sultans of Turkey and man leader, meeting with a grievous repulse, and Egypt, hearing these voyages were made, sent their commanders to intercept the Knights on their passage; and this they did at first so successfully, that the Christians met with many reverses. After several vessels had been taken, and their crews carried into captivity, De Villiers ordered his monks to arm for their own defence, and for that of their ships. It was thus the Knights became naval men, and their Order a naval power. In 1236, Odo de Puis was honored with the vacant Grand-Master-boat concealed among the rocks, which, with the ship-but his rule continued only two years, and assistance of his companion, he succeeded in gethe was succeeded by William de Villaret, who was ting afloat. Some of the monks, who had witdestined to hold a distinguished rank in the history nessed his flight from the ramparts, mounted their of his convent. On his decease, 1307, his brother, horses, and started in full pursuit. But the OttoFulk d' Villaret, came to the throne. If we look man chief had the lead of an hour, and before his back to the period when the Knights were living in enemies got to the beach, the current had carried the Holy Land, and ask what has become of their him without the range of their darts. So long as monuments, we are told that even the site of the the Knights remained on the banks, the Turkish hospital which gave birth to their convent, is now prince continued to brandish his scimetar, and wave unknown, and that the fortifications which, for his cap in defiance. And as they left, he gave them nearly two centuries, they so bravely defended, are his war cry over the water, which met them both at this day but piles of crumbling stones. If, when louder and stronger, because he who had sent it was driven from the Holy Land, we follow them to free. Disappointed and enraged, the monks reCyprus, where they dwelt for fourteen years, we turned to their quarters, while the fugitives, withfind that nothing now remains, not even a ruin to out provisions, sails, or oars, were drifting in their show that they ever had a habitation and a name frail bark to sea. The land breeze, which blew amidst the verdant hills, and picturesque valleys of strongly at night, carried Osman and his slave to this, at one time, truly beautiful Island. These the opposite coast of Asia Minor, where, after a warrior priests, persecuted by the king of Cyprus passage of eighteen hours, and passing over as for (as he said) not obeying his laws, and paying many miles, they landed in safety. Thirty-five the taxes which he levied upon them, embarked on hundred unfortunate soldiers, who could not reach their ships, and sought, among the many isles their boats, were made prisoners of war, and which dotted this eastern sea, for one which they doomed to a servitude which was as lasting as might call their own. Rhodes, so famed for its their lives: Such was the destiny of these wretchclimate, its wealth, and its harbors, was the one ed captives, the more cruel, because they were enwhich they selected, and, if we may believe the chained in sight of their native hills, and without poetical descriptions of Savary and La Martine, even having a chance to reach them. When it they could not have made a happier selection. But was known in Europes that the Knight had a fixed such a possession was not to be easily won. The residence, many French, Spanish, German and Grecian and Saracenic inhabitants, being averse | Italian noblemen went to Rhodes and entered the to any change of masters, united their forces to- ranks of the Order. The achievements of this gether, and answered the summons, sent them to distinguished body of seamen and soldiers, shall surrender, by threats of the most determined defi- be the subject of our next chapter. Villaret hoisted his standard over its bas- Rome, 1843. tions, only when its defenders had suffered from

ance.

:

TO WHOM DOES WASHINGTON'S GLORY BELONG? and virtues; but the labor is to keep up these displays, when the difficulties are surmounted and the The disposition to appropriate to one's own coun-" tyranny overpast." The only feeling that can try whatever grandeur and honor can be drawn do this is one of devoted nationality. Let the around her, is a useful and often a beautiful trait of sons of this free republic live for her honor and National character. Thus, the patriotic states- glory, in the eyes of the enlightened nations of man devises and espouses measures, which will the world-basing that glory on the foundations of reflect the greatest lustre upon his beloved land, truth and justice-not disregarding, but by noble and seeks to connect her fame with the noble and deeds, defying the opprobrious jeers and comparigrand movements of mankind. The orator, with sons of foreigners. Let Legislators plan and exethe glow of genius and the light of truth, and in cute measures which will exalt her before the the brilliant colors of exulting hope, portrays her assembled world. But the attractions of the subrenown; and, with the fervor of soul-seated zeal ject have already prolonged this introduction. and pride, exhorts all her sons to place her on It has been already remarked, that Historians are the pinnacle of true glory and the Historian sometimes tempted to rob others, in order to incomes at length to collect around her the splendor crease the splendor of their own country. Mr. of her whole past career, and to shed upon her Alison, who must be ranked with the greatest of honors drawn from the widest range through which modern historians, has given a striking and almost truth will allow him to wander. The lustre of amusing illustration of his overstrained propensity other times and other nations must lend something to magnify England; still, she will get the full beto his country's fame; and sometimes, in the excess nefit of his labors, and a title may soon repay him of his zeal, he is tempted to act the ungenerous for his high-wrought eulogiums and masterly exalpart of weaving in her chaplet laurels that belong tation. to another. This spirit of nationality is the daughter of Patriotism-and her powerful aid. In the brightest eras of Nations, it has been the governing motive of those who raised them to their ex-but there have been some virtues and excellencies alted position. It swayed and inspired Chatham, Pitt, and their compeers. Bonaparte's greatest exploits were performed, when he fought for France: and, indeed, did he not seek during his whole career, to exalt her over all the European nations, as well as himself over all mankind? More than all men did Washington live for his country.

The fame of Washington has filled the worldand not as other men's has filled it. The names of other men have resounded throughout the world,—

which have shrunk instinctively from the swelling notes of their fame, as discordant and false; yet when the praise of Washington was sung, they came forth eager to catch the rising strain, and strove to retain the lingering notes, as it passed on. Mr. Alison, like Lord Brougham, must have joined in this exalted strain; but, then, he has sought to A true national spirit will elevate a nation, and give to Britain the glory of producing the characthen, when the people boast, they can do so ho- ter of Washington. Speaking of the close of the nestly, and enjoy a proud consciousness that they year 1796, he says— have contributed to the greatness in which they "The end of the same year witnessed the reexult. National vanity is entirely different from signation of the presidency of the United States of national pride. The former feeds on the recollec- America by General Washington, and his voluntary tion of what others have done; and, whilst it is retirement into private life. Modern history has gasconading, the glory achieved by heroes and not so spotless a character to commemorate. Inpatriots of older days may be fading fast. The vincible in resolution, firm in conduct, incorruptible latter is active and zealous. It views the deeds of in integrity, he brought to the helm of a victorious "the fathers" as examples for imitation, as well as subjects for exultation, and strives to perpetuate, by its own exploits, the renown in which it so justly rejoices.

English Statesmen and historians seem to be more thoroughly imbued with this spirit, than those of any other country. England's glory has been a passion with her greatest heroes; and the bare annunciation" England expects every man to do his duty," has dispelled the deepest gloom, and aroused to the most gallant victories the almost desponding.

republic the simplicity and innocence of rural life; he was forced into greatness by circumstances, rather than led into it by inclination, and prevailed over his enemies rather by the wisdom of his designs and the perseverance of his character, than any extraordinary genius for the art of war. A soldier from necessity and patriotism rather than disposition, he was the first to recommend a return to pacific councils when the independence of his country was secured, and bequeathed to his countrymen an address, on leaving their government, to which there is no composition of uninspired wisIn past times, no country had more devoted and dom which can bear a comparison. He was modest, disinterested Patriots than America. Times of without diffidence; sensible to the voice of fame difficulty, peril and oppression must ever call forth without vanity; independent and dignified, without the noblest and highest displays of man's talents' either asperity or pride. He was a friend to liberty,

There is this remarkable feature in it, too, that all has been done under the authority of the Existing Laws, which have ever been as much vaunted as now; for, however much the law forbade, it was perverted, or evaded, to compass the desired end. How often have "the genuine principles of British freedom" been sacrificed, by their appointed defenders and preservers too, to the Royal pleasure, or to the pretended expediency or necessity of the case!

but not licentiousness; not to the dreams of enthu- | subjects, the History of scarcely any other country siasts, but to those practical ideas which America exhibits as much crime, injustice and oppression. had inherited from her English descent, and which were opposed to nothing so much as the extravagant love of power in the French Democracy. Accordingly, after having signalized his life by successful resistance to English oppression, he closed it by the warmest advice to cultivate the friendship of Great Britain; and by his casting vote, shortly before his resignation, ratified a treaty of friendly and commercial intercourse between the mother country and its emancipated offspring. He was a Cromwell without his ambition; a Sylla Did "the genuine principles of British freedom" without his crimes: and, after having raised his people America? Did they dictate the colonial country, by his exertions, to the rank of an inde-policy, which drove us to Independence? for, it is a pendent state, closed his career by a voluntary re- remarkable fact that England set the colonies free linquishment of the power which a grateful people long before they desired it. When they were ready had bestowed. It is the highest glory of England for conciliation, she looked upon them as panting to have given birth, even amid transatlantic wilds, for Independence, and took her steps against rebels to such a man; and if she cannot number him and not as against children. This mistake may among those who have extended her provinces or have led to the establishment of our Independence, augmented her dominions, she may at least feel a at the time it was achieved. It may be admitted, legitimate pride in the victories which he achieved, that the very principles of British freedom for and the great qualities which he exhibited, in the which Sidney and Hampden died, were those which contest with herself, and indulge with satisfaction inspired Washington and his compatriots. But in the reflection that that vast empire, which neither the principles of Sidney and Hampden were sputhe ambition of Louis XIV. nor the power of Na-rious, and the genuine slew them. Yes, and those poleon could dismember, received its first rude very principles of British freedom, which the sucshock from the courage which she had communi- cessive ministers and their supporters, in Great cated to her own offspring; and that, amid the Britain, during the revolutionary war, maintained convulsions and revolutions of other states, real to be "the genuine," would have added our fathers liberty has arisen in that country alone, which into the list of state criminals. Then, this same herited in its veins the genuine principles of Brit-historian, for the same end, would have condemned ish freedom."—Alison's History of Europe, No. as rebellious the very acts, which have achieved a 4, p. p. 446-7.

fame so splendid, that he covets and plunders it for The eulogy pronounced in the foregoing extract his own country. British oppression may claim is not unworthy; but it is not worthy. The eulogy the fruits of American liberty; but "the grapes of Washington must be short. There is so little are sour." Even if "the genuine principles of of his superior excellence in the world, that the British freedom" found an asylum "in transatlantic list of lofty epithets and appropriate phrases, which wilds," England can claim none of their fruits here; there has been occasion to invent, would soon be but is rather liable to the obloquy of having banished exhausted. The best eulogy and the best improve-them from home. Ah! no, the glory of our fathers ment of his unrivalled example would be for Ame- is all our own; the reproach alone is hers. She ricans to study his character, impress his farewell was arrayed in long and deadly struggle with her address, so eloquently alluded to by Mr. Alison, children-each party contending for the establishupon their hearts; and then bow their hearts before ment of diametrically opposite principles of freeHeaven, and in a spirit of pious patriotism fer- dom; and this struggle gave birth to the matchless vently ask "make me like Washington." The Washington. If then "the genuine principles of pure and upright mind, in its loftiest aspirations, British freedom" had found an asylum here, what may think his praise; but words can never ex-kind were they for which she was contending? press it. England might claim some credit for having But what shall be said to this grasping claim? given occasion to the heroic displays, which her Shall America's brightest, rarest gem be trans-zealous and able historian seeks to appropriate ferred to the coronal of British glory? There is to her. But this ground is scarcely as tenable as some truth in the boast, that is made of the princi- the one we have been considering. The attacks ples of British liberty. No one, the least conver- of the Edinburg Review are thought to have consant with English History, and with the Common tributed to the excellence of the noble poet, whose Law, can doubt this; but "Oh! Liberty, what crimes fame is now in every clime. What would be thought are perpetrated in thy name!" With all the boasted of that Review, should it now claim in excuse for liberties, immunities and safeguards of English

its malevolent critique, that the principles of Scotch | ton is all our own. And the veneration and love criticism had given higher flights to the poet's ge-entertained for him by the people of the United nius, and that Scotland was entitled to his fame? States are proof, that they are worthy of such a To make the case parallel, it must be supposed countryman. I would cheerfully put the question that the Review in its strictures had openly de- to-day to the intelligent men of all Europe; I will parted from what it had always maintained to be say to the intelligent of the whole world, what the genuine principles of criticism. character of the century stands out in the relief of Demosthenes' guardians robbed him of his patri-history, most pure, most respectable, most sublime; mony, thus depriving him of all those advantages and I doubt not that by a suffrage approaching to which it was calculated to bestow. The youth de- unanimity, the answer would be WASHINGTON. voted himself to study, with the intention of one day That monument itself is not an unfit emblem of bringing them to an account for their breach of trust. his character, by its uprightness, its solidity, its At length, he did arraign them before the tribunals durability. His public virtues and public princiof his country, and, by his eloquence and talents, succeeded in gaining his cause. What would be thought, if the unfaithful guardians had claimed to share the fame of the model orator of the world, because their injustice had stimulated his powers and conduced to the splendor of his name?

ples were as firm and fixed as the earth on which that structure rests; his personal motives as pure as the serene Heavens in which its summit is lost. But, indeed, it is not an adequate emblem. Towering far above this column that our hands have built, beheld, not by the citizens of a single city or a single State, but by all the families of man, ascends the colossal grandeur of the character and life of

When Nelson had gained a splendid victory over the Danes, one of their writers sought consolation in the fact that the conqueror was of Danish de- WASHINGTON. In all its constituent parts, in all scent, and ascribed his gallant actions to Danish valor. Even this is a stronger case, than Mr. Alison's ascription to "the genuine principles of Bri

tish freedom."

its acts, in all its toils, universal love and admiration, it is an American production. Born upon our soil, of parents born upon our soil, never having for a single day had a sight of the old world, reared amid our gigantic scenery, instructed according to the modes of the time in the spare but wholesome, elementary knowledge, which the institutions of the country furnish for all the children of the people; brought up beneath and penetrated by the genial influence of American society, partaking our great destiny of labor, partaking and leading in that great victory of peace, the establishment of the present Constitution; behold him, ALTOGETHER

But, even in these transatlantic wilds, where Washington was born, nurtured, lived, acted and died, there are those capable of appreciating his deeds, and of vindicating America's sole title to his peerless purity and transcendant moral greatness. As yet, the historians of America are chiefly her orators, and in what matchless style have these, time again, written brilliant portions of her history! Suppose a Webster were called to take the historic pen, in reply, too, to this claim of the British AN AMERICAN. That glorious lifeannalist; what would be his idea of it? Indeed he has already, unintentionally silenced it forever; and, thus far, may justly be quoted as historical authority, for, if specially called to the task above supposed, this, or something even still better would be his testimony:

'Where multitudes of virtues passed along,
Each pressing foremost in the mighty throng-
Contending to be seen, then making room
For the multitudes which were to come,'-

that life in all its purity, in all its elevation, in all "America exercises an influence, and holds out its grandeur, was the life of an American citizen. an example of still higher character, because of a I claim him, I claim Washington, wholly for Amepolitical nature. She has furnished proof of the rica, and amidst the perilous and darkened hours fact that a population, founded on equality, on the of the night, in the midst of the reproaches of eneprinciple of representation, is fully capable of ful-mies, and the misgivings of friends, I turn to that filling all the purposes of government, that it is transcendant name, for courage and for consolation. practicable to elevate the masses of mankind, to To him who denies that our transatlantic liberty raise them to self-respect, to make them competent can be combined with law and order, and the secuto act in the great duty of self-government. This rity of property, and power and reputation; to him she has shown can be done by the diffusion of who denies that our institutions can produce any knowledge and education. But, my friends, Ame- exaltation of soul, or passion for true glory; to him rica has done more. America has furnished Eu- who denies that America has contributed any thing rope and the world with the character of WASH to the stock of great lessons and great examples, And if our institutions had done nothing to all these I reply by pointing to the character of else, they would have deserved the respect of man- Washington."-Mr. Webster's speech at Bunker kind. WASHINGTON-first in war, first in peace, Hill.

INGTON.

and first in the hearts of his countrymen;' Washing-I

Inscription on the monument in the garden at tomb-stone of usual size, standing on the banks of