disputed territory. inhabiting the intervening wilderness was such, that among all the patriotic and gallant men, then residing in the colonies, not one could be found hardy enough to engage in so hazardous a service.

But the terror of the inflamed savages

We shall now take the liberty of laying before our readers the passage in "The Wilderness," from which the Engraving is taken, which will obviate the necessity of our making any further remarks on the subject.

"Domestic concerns and family interference prevented others, who might not have the same objection to trying the effects of negotiation and remonstrance, before the drawing of that sword, whose unsheathing might involve two powerful nations in all the evils of a tedious and sanguinary war.

In short, Governor Dinwiddie, after he had decided on the propriety of the measure, found so much difficulty in finding any one qualified for the hazardous service, willing to undertake it, that he began to harbour thoughts of abandoning the idea, especially as the winter season was approaching, until the ensuing spring.

As he was one day in his private apartment, meditating with considerable anxiety on this subject, he was informed that a very respectable looking young man requested admittance to his presence. The Governor desired him to be shown into a front chamber, where he in a few minutes attended him.

The Governor, although, as we have seen, his mind had been rendered uneasy by contemplating the unfortunate aspect of a favourite and important measure, saluted the stranger with much complaisance; for notwithstanding his youth, being apparently not above twenty years of age, there was in his manner and aspect an air of dignity and intelligence, with which the Governor was struck, and before which any feeling of ill-humour that might have arisen from the pleasant nature of the reflections from which he had been interrupted, entirely gave way.

As this young man will make a considerable figure during the remainder of this history, it is presumed that a description of his appearance on this occasion will not be unacceptable to the reader.

His stature was exactly six feet, and his form a happy medium between the usual slenderness of youth and the more rounded muscularity of manhood. His chest was already somewhat full and expanded, as if to make room for a liberal and capacious heart. His limbs were in just proportion to the rest of his frame VOL. 1.-No. IV.

48

and so free and unincumbered in all their motions, as to give a peculiar gracefulness to his gait and gestures. His shoulders were broad, but finely shaped, and harmonizing so well with the stateliness and just symmetry of the other parts of his figure as to impart to the whole an extraordinary degree of dignity and majesty of mien; and indicating at the same time, strength, hardihood, and activity.

With respect to his countenance, if ever there was one that expressed true nobleness and magnanimity of soul, it was his. It was of the oval form with a remarkably high forehead, which was open, serious, kind and candid. His sparkling blue eyes displayed the fire of passsion, combined with the coolness of wisdom, while the movements of his eye-brows assured the beholder that in every contest the latter should gain the victory. His nose was of a commanding agreeable form, neither exactly Grecian nor Roman, but partaking partly of both, and it was perhaps, this feature which most forcibly impressed the beholder with the idea of his fearless intrepidity and undeviating integrity. But it was in the expression of his mouth that the benevolence, generosity, and tenderness of his nature were chiefly to be seen; for his were lips to which no one could ever impute the utterance of falsehood, calumny, or even unnecessary censure. His chin was muscular, round, and full, bat agreeably corresponding with the general contour of his countenance. As to his complexion. it was at this time slightly sun-burnt, but still affording a pleasant mixture of that fairness and ruddiness which is so becoming in youth, and which generally betokens an originally healthy and still unbroken constitution.

His dress was at once modest and genteel, affecting in no particular either to despise, or to be fastidiously imitative of the fashion of the day. It was neither gaudy, nor slovenly, but such as a gentleman who, while he does not despise his person, seems conscious that his mind is his better part, might be expeced to wear. When we have said this, and when we add that it was a mourning-dress, (for this young gentleman had lately succeeded to the ample estate of a deceased, tenderly beloved, and much lamented elder brother) the reader will easily figure it to himself, without our giving him more particulars.

He was a native of Virginia, and descended from one of the most respectable families in that province; but in the opinion of Governor Dinwiddie on this occasion, such a youth would have made any family respectable. His name was-GEORGE WASHINGTON-a name which is now synonymous with virtue, and to pronounce which is to eulogize..

After the usual salutation was over, Mr. Washington presented an introductory letter from a valued friend of the Governor, who immediately read it as follows:

"May it please your Excellency,

"This letter will be handed to you by Mr. George Washington, of Mount Vernon, a young gentleman of whom I doubt not report has already spoken favourably to you. For myself, I profess to feel a high respect for his promising talents, and a still higher for that steady conduct, unsullied virtue, and strong sense of honour which have hitherto marked his character.

"To speak thus decisively in behalf of so young a man, may seem to your excellency, to be a somewhat overstrained recommendation, but if I know any thing of the characters of men, I am convinced that in giving credit to Mr. Washington for all the virtues and talents my language may ascribe to him, you will not find yourself deceived.

"The ardour of his patriotic feelings, together with his commiserating the distresses under which our back-settlers now labour, and, no doubt, a laudable ambition to signalize himself in doing good to his country, induce him to solicit what he is grieved to find so many of higher name and pretensions have lately refused-the appointment of envoy to the French commandant at Le Bœuf.

"Should it please your excellency to confide to him the management of that arduous and important mission, I am persuaded that young, and consequently inexperienced, as he is, you will have no reason to regret having done so; for, I believe that if prudence, intrepidity, and perseverence in the attainment of the public good can succeed, whatever enterprize he conducts must be successful.

"I have the honour to be your excellency's sincere friend and most obedient humble servant.

"Why! Mr. Washington," observed the Governor, when he had done reading, "this is really a complimentary letter; but Mr. is a good judge of characters, and I believe he has not mistaken yours. Your brother was a brave man, truc to his country, and I think you cannot be inferior to him. When would it suit you to go on this mission ?"

"At a day's warning, whenever your excellency orders-" "Suppose let me see-this is Tuesday the 23d of October. In a week from this date could you be ready?"

"TO-MORROW-TO DAY-THIS HOUR-AND AT ALL HOURS— I AM AT THE SERVICE OF MY COUNTRY."

AMERICAN LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

A NEW NOVEL, entitled "O'HALLORAN, or the Insurgent Chief, an Irish historical Tale of 1798." by the author of "The Wilderness" and "The Spectre of the Forest." will be published about the beginning of May, by Messrs Carey and Lea. In the first and second numbers of our Magazine, we inserted some extracts from this novel which were so favourably received, that the author has been induced to commit the whole to the press, in order that the curiosity of those who wish to know the sequel of the story, may have an opportunity of gratification, sooner than could possibly be the case, by its appearance, in detached portions, in a periodical work. It may be proper to add, that the leading events of the narrative conform more strictly to historical fact than is usual in works of fancy.

Proposals have been issued, for publishing in the city of New York, a new periodical work, to be entitled the Mechanics' and Manufacturers' Magazine, a monthly journal, devoted to the arts and trades of the United States; to be edited by John Griscom, Professor of Mechanical Philosophy and Chemistry in the New York Institution, and author of A Year in Europe."

Noah Webster, Esq. intends to proceed to England, for the purpose of publishing the large Dictionary he promised in his small one, 18 years ago. in that country.

History of Boston.-A history of that city, in one volume octavo, is now in press at Boston. It commences with the first settlement, and is continued down to the present time, including occasional observations and remarks, embellished with elegant engravings, representing the principal public buildings, with a particular description of each.

RECENT AMERICAN PUBLICATIONS.

History of a Voyage to the Chinese sea. By John White, Lieutenant in the United States Navy.

A journal of a residence in China, by a young American during the years, 1817, 18, and '19.

A System of Midwifery, by W. P. Dewees, M. D. 1 vol. 8vo.

FOREIGN WORKS RE-PUBLISHED IN AMERICA.

$81

Sketches of the Earth and its Inhabitants. By J. E. Worcester, A. A. S. author of the Universal Gazeteer.

The Light of Truth in the mind of man, the only rule of true Faith and Practice; With some observations on the formality and idolatry of religious sects. 12mo. p. p. 110.

Mr. Strong, of Pittsfield, Mass. has recently published a Tragedy entitled "The Fall of Iturbide, or the Delivery of Mexico."

A new Drama was announced at the New York Theatre, on the 23d ult. entitled, "La Fayette, or the Castle of Olmutz," written by a young gentleman of that city. The incident is founded on the daring exploit of an American gentleman, and a Hanoverian, to rescue La Fayette from his long imprisonment at Olmutz.

A new play has been performed in New York; entitled The Avenger's Vow, or the Haunt of the Banditti, a dramatic Romance, by the Dramatist of the novel of the Spy.

A New Tragedy entitled "Superstition" was lately brought forward on the Philadelphia Stage, and favourably received. It is a chaste and manly production, full of that spirited and, at the same time, dignified dialogue, which should characterize a well written Tragedy. We cannot help remarking that it is founded on historical events similar to those which form the subject of the novel of the "Spectre of the Forest." Several of the incidents and characters bear a close resemblance to those of the novel. The "Spectre" in the novel, and the "Unknown," in the play, are both representations of Goffe the regicide. It is but justice to the author of the play, however, to state that he had formed its plot before the publication of the novel.

FOREIGN WORKS RE-PUBLISHED IN AMERICA.

Duke Christian of Luneburg, by Miss Porter. 2 vols.

An account of the Varioloid Epidemic, which has lately prevailed in Edinburgh and other parts of Scotland; with observations on the identity of chicken-pox with modified small-pox; in a letter to Sir James M'Grigor-by John Thomson, M. D. 8vo. pp. 418.

The Albigensis, a Romance by the author of Bertram, &c. in 3 vols. 12 mo.