MONTPELIER THE frontispiece of the present number represents the seat of the late lamented Ex-president MAD ISON. MONTPELIER is about four miles distant from Orange courthouse. On approaching it from the north, you turn to the left on leaving the main road, and after proceeding through a wood about a mile, the mansion of the ex-president may be seen a mile distant, situated on a slight eminence. It is a large brick building, composed of a main body and two wings. In front of the body, is a portico of wood, painted white, which is supported by four lofty Dorick pillars. The interiour of the house is furnished with plain, but rich furniture, and ornamented with busts and pictures; in the right wing is a library of rare and valuable books, and a cabinet. In the rear of the mansion is an extensive lawn after crossing this, you come to the garden, which consists of several acres of ground, laid out with elegance and taste, and contains a great number of native plants and exoticks, and an abundance of grapes. Here, on the twenty-eighth of June, 1836, the venerable Madison expired, at the advanced age of eighty-seven, lamented deeply by his numerous friends, and by the whole American people, as a national loss. The following sketch of his life is from the pen of one who had passed many pleasant hours in his society, and is copied from the New York Mirror: "Great occasions produce great men. The records of our own country bear testimony to this truth. In the early and in the later ages of her struggles, there were not wanting men to advise and to act for a nation's welfare. Among those who have acted a conspicuous part in building up our political and civil institutions, for more than sixty years, was James Madison, who has lately sunk to rest, full of years and honours. constitution—a wonderful era in the history of the liberties of man-Mr. Madison was elected a member of the first congress, and took an active part in setting the machinery in motion. At this period publick opinion was greatly agitated by the crude and false opinions scattered through the country, through the medium of the opposition presses; this was grievous to the friends of the constitution, and three mighty minds, Jay, Hamilton, and Madison, formed a holy alliance to enlighten the people upon the great doctrines of the constitution, and breaking through the host of the Philistines, drew the pure waters of truth for the good of the people. The essays from the pens of these worthies, were collected in a volume, called the FEDERALIST, which now stands a monument of the wisdom and patriotism of that age. In the debates of the first congress, Mr. Madison took a large share. It was an illustrious assemblage of patriots, among whom there often arose a difference of opinion in regard to political policy, but all were lovers of their country, and labouring for her best interests. Here Mr. Madison acted with the Cabots and the Ames' of the east, in perfect harmony. It was reserved for an afterage to feel the withering effects of partyfeuds.. These were hardly discovered as long as the father of his country filled the presidential chair. In the administration of his successor, a separation into parties took place, and Mr. Madison ranked himself on the side of Mr. Jefferson and his party. During the presidency of Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison was secretary of state, and sustained that office with singular ability. He held a ready pen, had a clear, philosophical perception of the great principles on which the government professed to act, and could readily produce a defence of the course pursued. No secretary ever did, or ever will do more by force of argument, than Mr. Madison, while sup porting the measures of Mr. Jefferson. "In March, 1809, Mr. Madison became president of the United States. It was a stormy period. "Mr. Madison was by birth a Virginian, and wholly France and England, in their fierce struggles for educated in this country. He was intended for a mastery, forgot the rights of neutral nations, and statesman from his youth, and made himself master outraged our independence. Insult followed insult of constitutional law, when it was hardly known as from both countries, for the three first years of his a science either in England or in this country. He administration; but he was, from the very elements was born on the sixteenth of March, 1751, and, of of his nature, inclined to peace, and had not urged course, was in all the ardour and freshness of youth preparations for war. In 1812, war was declared on the breaking out of the revolution. In 1775, Mr. without preparation, and the Executive of the United Madison was a member of the legislature of Virginia, States had a difficult task to perform. A powerful and at that early age, was distinguished for his maturity part of the people were opposed to the war, some of understanding and sage prudence. He was soon for one reason, and some for another, and it required appointed one of the council of the state. During no small degree of moral courage, to steer the ship the whole eventful struggle, James Madison had the of state at such a crisis. Mr. Madison was not a confidence of the state of Virginia; and, as a mem- military chieftain, and took no pleasure in the glories ber of her legislature, was listened to with profound of a victory, no farther than they were beneficial to attention when he brought forward sundry resolu- the interests of his country; but his moral courage tions for the formation of a general government for was of the highest order, that which arises from a the United States, based upon the inefficiency of the consciousness of an intention of doing good. There old confederation. From these resolutions grew a can be no doubt but that so sagacious a statesman as convention of delegates from the several states, who, Mr. Madison, saw some of the blessings that were in conclave, prepared a form of a constitution to be to flow to his country from the evils of war. He submitted to the several states for their discussion, knew that nations, at times, hold incorrect opinions, approbation, and adoption. Mr. Madison was a and that the rude shocks of war are the only remmember of this convention, as a delegate from Vir- edies for these errours. The war had its dark and ginia, and took an active part in the deliberations of bright spots on the tablets of fame, but its results that enlightened body, of which Washington, his were altogether fortunate. The necessity of a navy colleague, was president. On the adoption of this for national honour and protection, anchored itself into the firm bosom of every patriot, with such a but his most familiar guests seldom heard a sentence hold as to ride out every billow and whirlwind of tinged with them, either at his table or fireside. For faction. By this war we were taught that no nation nearly twenty years he has been daily preparing for could ever claim to be independent whose resources the change of worlds, and at last sunk into the arms were confined to agriculture and commerce alone. of death in as peaceful a sleep as a babe on the By this war we became a manufacturing people to a bosom of his mother. Nature and religion had respectable extent; but there was as much opposition cured him of all fears of the grave; he had no to this as there was to the war. This goes to show, dread of what dreams might come when he had that it is beyond human reason to foresee what may shuffled off this mortal coil.' He had no enmities be best; but all will agree that there should always to settle, for he had quarrelled with no one; he had be wisdom and honesty at the head of our people to no slanders to forgive, for no one ever traduced make the most judicious use of every event. him. His history contains, indeed, a miracle, for there has not been one of mortal, or of immortal birth, who has acted a conspicuous part on this earth, but James Madison, whose private reputation has not been assailed." "In 1817, when the reign of peace was established, Mr. Madison retired to his farm to enjoy the serenity of rural life; but here he has not been idle. On the death of Mr. Jefferson, he was made chancellor of the University of Virginia, and, as well as his predecessor, took a deep interest in the prosperity of the institution. When Virginia called a convention to alter her constitution, Mr. Madison, with ChiefJustice Marshall, and Mr. Monroe, were found among the sages who had witnessed the birth of that constitution, and were well acquainted with its excellences and defects, and were good judges of the best forms of amendment. Seven or eight years ago, a bookseller at Washington, got up an edition of the debates in the several conventions called by the states in 1787 and 1788, to deliberate on the adoption of the constitution of the United States. Mr. Madison took a lively interest in this publication, and afforded the editor all the information that he possessed upon the subject. "Mr. Madison was unquestionably the leading member in the Virginia convention, called for the adoption of the constitution of the United States, although there were several distinguished men among them. This body was fortunate enough to have employed a reporter of eminence for the occasion, which was not the case in many other states; and what the Virginian reporter did not put down in his notes, Mr. Madison's minutes and recollections most readily supplied. WARD FABLES. THE BEE AND THE ANT. VIOLENT dispute once arose between the bee and the ant, each claiming superiority for prudence and industry; and, as neither of them would give up the point, they 66 In the convention he had to meet the blaze of mutually agreed to defer the decis Patrick Henry's eloquence, the subtile arguments of ion of this great question to the Mason, and the chilling doubts of Monroe; but all were overcome by the clearness of his views, and decree of Apollo, who was fortunately at hand tendthe force of his reasonings. Mr. Madison was not ing the cattle of Admetus. Accordingly approaching the god, each made out his title to a preference with an orator in the common acceptation of the word; there were no deep tones in his voice; no flashes of all the eloquence which a bee or an ant had ever been master off. When Apollo gave judgment a fierce and commanding eye; no elegant gestures to attract the beholder; all was calm, dignified, and thus:-"I consider you both as most excellent exconvincing. It was the still, small voice, in which amples of industry and prudence. You," said he, the oracles of God were communicated to the proph-addressing the ant, "by your care, your foresight, He never talked for the love of display, but and your labour, make for yourself an ample provision in time of need; thus independent, you simply to communicate his thoughts. He spoke often in debate, when earnest in his cause, but was never intrude on or tax the labours of others for always heard with profound attention; not a word help: but recollect, at the same time, that it is of his speeches were lost. He was so perfectly yourself alone that you benefit; no other creature ever shares any part of your hoarded riches. Wheremaster of his subject, that he had nothing to correct in a retrospective view of it, and was so well under- as the bee produces, by his meritorious and ingestood, that he had nothing to explain. His voice nious exertions, that which becomes a blessing to was deficient in volume, but it was so well mod- the world. Therefore I must give my judgment in ulated, that its compass was more extensive than favour of the bee." that of many speakers of stronger lungs. His conversation was truly a charm. He was familiar with most topicks, and he loved both to communicaté and receive information. He lived in times when men grew up with strong prejudices and partialities; et. APPLICATION. That man deserves the thanks of his country who connects with his own, the good of others. The philosopher enlightens the ignorant; the manufacturer employs the needy; and the merchant gratifies the p rich, by procuring them. the rarities of every clime. But the miser, although he may be no burden on society, yet, thinking only of himself, affords to no one else either profit or pleasure. As it is not the lot of any one in this world to have a very large share of happiness, that will of course have the largest portion who makes himself a partner in the happiness of others. The benevolent are sharers in every one's joys. THE REDBREAST AND THE SPARROW. ERCH'D on a tree, hard by a rural cot, A redbreast, singing, cheer'd the humble spot; A sparrow on the thatch, in critick spleen, Thus took occasion to reprove the strain :"Dost thou," cried he, " thou dull dejected thing, Presume to emulate the birds of spring? Can thy weak warbling dare approach the thrush Or blackbird's accents in the hawthorn bush? Or with the lark dost thou, poor mimick, vie, Or nightingale's unequall'd melody? These other birds possessing twice thy fire, Have been content in silence to admire." "With candour judge," the minstrel bird replied, "Nor deem my efforts arrogance or pride; Think not ambition makes me act this part, I only sing because I love the art; I envy not, indeed, but much revere, Those birds whose fame the test of skill will bear : Nor with their charming songs my own to class; THE ELEPHANT AND THE SLAVE. N elephant, in his progress through the forest, saw a slave felling trees, and linked by a chain to a log of wood, to prevent his escape. "I see clearly," said the elephant, "that you are a slave by your equipment, an indication also of your past bad conduct which has brought you to dis How numerous and varied the forms assumed by nature; and to be seen by the careful observer, in stones, and shells, and fruits, and flowers, as also in other natural productions. Perhaps her phantasies are more common in the mineral kingdom, and many cases of their occurrence are recorded; for instance, the following: During the French revolution, immediately after the unfortunate Louis was beheaded, a very remarkable portrait of this monarch was discovered distinctly marked in a piece of Labrador spar, and so accurate was the likeness, and so curious was this coincidence reckoned at the time, that a very large sum of money was obtained for it; facsimiles were engraved from it, and worn as rings by his partisans. In the British museum, is an agate, on which is portrayed an accurate likeness of Chaucer. At the present time we have before us a view of a profile, found in the fracture of a nodule |