Caxton's Book: A Collection of Essays, Poems, Tales, and Sketches.

by W. H. Rhodes

  [Decoration]

  XX.

  _THE TWO GEORGES._

  Between the years of our Lord 1730 and 1740, two men were born onopposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, whose lives were destined to exerta commanding influence on the age in which they lived, as well as tocontrol the fortunes of many succeeding generations.

  One was by birth a plain peasant, the son of a Virginia farmer; theother an hereditary Prince, and the heir of an immense empire. It willbe the main object of this sketch to trace the histories of these twoindividuals, so dissimilar in their origin, from birth to death, andshow how it happened that one has left a name synonymous with tyranny,whilst the other will descend to the lowest posterity, radiant withimmortal glory, and renowned the world over as the friend of virtue, theguardian of liberty, and the benefactor of his race.

  Go with me for one moment to the crowded and splendid metropolis ofEngland. It is the evening of the 4th of June 1734. Some joyful eventmust have occurred, for the bells are ringing merrily, and theinhabitants are dressed in holiday attire. Nor is the circumstance of aprivate nature, for banners are everywhere displayed, the vast city isilluminated, and a thousand cannon are proclaiming it from their ironthroats. The population seem frantic with joy, and rush tumultuouslyinto each other's arms, in token of a national jubilee. Tens ofthousands are hurrying along toward a splendid marble pile, situated ona commanding eminence, near the river Thames, whilst from the loftiesttowers of St. James's Palace the national ensigns of St. George and theRed Cross are seen floating on the breeze. Within one of the mostgorgeously furnished apartments of that royal abode, the wife ofFrederic, Prince of Wales, and heir apparent to the British Empire, hasjust been delivered of a son. The scions of royalty crowd into thebed-chamber, and solemnly attest the event as one on which the destinyof a great empire is suspended. The corridors are thronged with dukes,and nobles, and soldiers, and courtiers, all anxious to bend the suppleknee, and bow the willing neck, to power just cradled into the world. ARoyal Proclamation soon follows, commemorating the event, and commandingBritish subjects everywhere, who acknowledge the honor of Brunswick, torejoice, and give thanks to God for safely ushering into existenceGeorge William Frederic, heir presumptive of the united crowns of GreatBritain and Ireland. Just twenty-two years afterward that child ascendedthe throne of his ancestors as King George the Third.

  Let us now turn our eyes to the Western Continent, and contemplate ascene of similar import, but under circumstances of a totally differentcharacter. It is the 22d February, 1732. The locality is a distantcolony, the spot the verge of an immense, untrodden and unexploredwilderness, the habitation a log cabin, with its chinks filled in withclay, and its sloping roof patched over with clapboards. Snow covers theground, and a chill wintery wind is drifting the flakes, and moaningthrough the forest. Two immense chimneys stand at either end of thehouse, and give promise of cheerful comfort and primitive hospitalitywithin, totally in contrast with external nature. There are but foursmall rooms in the dwelling, in one of which Mary Ball, the wife ofAugustine Washington, has just given birth to a son. No dukes ormarquises or earls are there to attest the humble event. There are noprinces of the blood to wrap the infant in the insignia of royalty, andfold about his limbs the tapestried escutcheon of a kingdom. His firstbreath is not drawn in the center of a mighty capitol, the air ladenwith perfume, and trembling to the tones of soft music and the "murmursof low fountains." But the child is received from its Mother's womb byhands imbrowned with honest labor, and laid upon a lowly couch,indicative only of a backwoodsman's home and an American's inheritance.He, too, is christened George, and forty-three years afterward tookcommand of the American forces assembled on the plains of old Cambridge.

  But if their births were dissimilar, their rearing and education werestill more unlike. From his earliest recollection the Prince heard onlythe language of flattery, moved about from palace to palace, just ascaprice dictated, slept upon the cygnet's down, and grew up inindolence, self-will and vanity, a dictator from his cradle. The peasantboy, on the other hand, was taught from his infancy that labor washonorable, and hardships indispensable to vigorous health. He earlylearned to sleep alone amid the dangers of a boundless wilderness, astone for his pillow, and the naked sod his bed; whilst the voices ofuntamed nature around him sang his morning and his evening hymns. Truth,courage and constancy were early implanted in his mind by a mother'scounsels, and the important lesson of life was taught by a father'sexample, that when existence ceases to be useful it ceases to be happy.

  Early manhood ushered them both into active life; the one as king overextensive dominions, the other as a modest, careful, and honest districtsurveyor.

  Having traced the two Georges to the threshold of their career, let usnow proceed one step further, and take note of the first great publicevent in the lives of either.

  For a long time preceding the year 1753 the French had laid claim to allthe North American continent west of the Alleghany Mountains, stretchingin an unbroken line from Canada to Louisiana. The English strenuouslydenied this right, and when the French commandant on the Ohio, in 1753,commenced erecting a fort near where the present city of Pittsburgstands, and proceeded to capture certain English traders, and expel themfrom the country, Dinwiddie, Governor of Virginia, deemed it necessaryto dispatch an agent on a diplomatic visit to the French commandant, anddemand by what authority he acted, by what title he claimed the country,and order him immediately to evacuate the territory.

  George Washington, then only in his twenty-second year, was selected bythe Governor for this important mission.

  It is unnecessary to follow him, in all his perils, during his winterymarch through the wilderness. The historian of his life has painted inimperishable colors his courage, his sagacity, his wonderful coolness inthe midst of danger, and the success which crowned his undertaking. Thememory loves to follow him through the trackless wilds of the forest,accompanied by only a single companion, and making his way throughwintery snows, in the midst of hostile savages and wild beasts for morethan five hundred miles, to the residence of the French commander. Howoften do we not shudder, as we behold the treacherous Indian guide, onhis return, deliberately raising his rifle, and leveling it at thatmajestic form; thus endeavoring, by an act of treachery and cowardice,to deprive Virginia of her young hero! And oh! with what fervent prayersdo we not implore a kind Providence to watch over his desperateencounter with the floating ice, at midnight, in the swollen torrent ofthe Alleghany, and rescue him from the wave and the storm. Standingbareheaded on the frail raft, whilst in the act of dashing aside somefloating ice that threatened to ingulf him, the treacherous oar wasbroken in his hand, and he is precipitated many feet into the boilingcurrent. Save! oh, save him heaven! for the destinies of millions yetunborn hang upon that noble arm!

  Let us now recross the ocean. In the early part of the year 1764 aministerial crisis occurs in England, and Lord Bute, the favorite of theBritish monarch, is driven from the administration of the government.The troubles with the American colonists have also just commenced toexcite attention, and the young King grows angry, perplexed, and greatlyirritated. A few days after this, a rumor starts into circulation thatthe monarch is sick. His attendants look gloomy, his friends terrified,and even his physicians exhibit symptoms of doubt and danger. Yet he hasno fever, and is daily observed walking with uncertain and agitated stepalong the corridors of the palace. His conduct becomes gradually moreand more strange, until doubt gives place to certainty, and the royalmedical staff report to a select committee of the House of Commons thatthe King is threatened with _insanity_. For six weeks the cloud obscureshis mental faculties, depriving him of all interference with theadministration of the government, and betokening a sad disaster in thefuture. His reason is finally restored, but frequent fits of passion,pride and obstinacy indicate but too surely that the disease is seated,and a radical cure impossible.

  Possessed now of the chief characteristics of George Washington andGeorge Guelph, we are prep
ared to review briefly their conduct duringthe struggle that ensued between the two countries they respectivelyrepresented.

  Let us now refer to the first act of disloyalty of Washington, the firstindignant spurn his high-toned spirit evinced under the oppressions of aking.

  Not long after his return from the west, Washington was offered thechief command of the forces about to be raised in Virginia, to expel theFrench; but, with his usual modesty, he declined the appointment, onaccount of his extreme youth, but consented to take the post oflieutenant-colonel. Shortly afterward, on the death of Colonel Fry, hewas promoted to the chief command, but through no solicitations of hisown. Subsequently, when the war between France and England broke out inEurope, the principal seat of hostilities was transferred to America,and his Gracious Majesty George III sent over a large body of troops,_under the command of favorite officers_. But this was not enough. Anedict soon followed, denominated an "Order to settle the rank of theofficers of His Majesty's forces serving in America." By one of thearticles of this order, it was provided "that all officers commissionedby the King, should take precedence of those of the same gradecommissioned by the governors of the respective colonies, although theircommissions might be of junior date;" and it was further provided, that"when the troops served together, the provincial officers should enjoyno rank at all." This order was scarcely promulgated--indeed, before theink was dry--ere the Governor of Virginia received a communicationinforming him that _George Washington was no longer a soldier_.Entreaties, exhortations, and threats were all lavished upon him invain; and to those who, in their expostulations, spoke of thedefenseless frontiers of his native State, he patriotically but noblyreplied: "I will serve my country when I can do so without dishonor."

  In contrast with this attitude of Washington, look at the conduct ofGeorge the Third respecting the colonies, after the passage of the StampAct. This act was no sooner proclaimed in America, than the most violentopposition was manifested, and combinations for the purpose of effectualresistance were rapidly organized from Massachusetts to Georgia. Theleading English patriots, among whom were Burke and Barre, protestedagainst the folly of forcing the colonies into rebellion, and the cityof London presented a petition to the King, praying him to dismiss theGranville ministry, and repeal the obnoxious act. "It is with the utmostastonishment," replied the King, "that I find any of my subjects capableof encouraging the rebellious disposition that unhappily exists in someof my North American colonies. Having entire confidence in the wisdom ofmy parliament, the great council of the realm, I will steadily pursuethose measures which they have recommended for the support of theconstitutional rights of Great Britain." He heeded not the memorablewords of Burke, that afterward became prophetic. "There are moments,"exclaimed this great statesman, "critical moments in the fortunes of allstates when they who are too weak to contribute to your prosperity mayyet be strong enough to complete your ruin." The Boston port billpassed, and the first blood was spilt at Lexington.

  It is enough to say of the long and bloody war that followed, thatGeorge the Third, by his obstinacy, contributed more than any other manin his dominion to prolong the struggle, and affix to it the stigma ofcruelty, inhumanity and vengeance; whilst Washington was equally thesoul of the conflict on the other side, and by his imperturbablejustice, moderation and firmness, did more than by his arms to convinceEngland that her revolted colonists were invincible.

  It is unnecessary to review in detail the old Revolution. Let us pass tothe social position of the two Georges in after-life.

  On the 2d August, 1786, as the King was alighting from his carriage atthe gate of St. James, an attempt was made on his life by a woman namedMargaret Nicholson, who, under pretense of presenting a petition,endeavored to stab him with a knife which was concealed in the paper.The weapon was an old one, and so rusty that, on striking the vest ofthe King, it bent double, and thus preserved his life. On the 29thOctober, 1795, whilst his majesty was proceeding to the House of Lords,a ball passed through both windows of the carriage. On his return to St.James the mob threw stones into the carriage, several of which struckthe King, and one lodged in the cuff of his coat. The state carriage wascompletely demolished by the mob. But it was on the 15th May, 1800, thatGeorge the Third made his narrowest escapes. In the morning of thatday, whilst attending the field exercise of a battalion of guards, oneof the soldiers loaded his piece with a bullet and discharged it at theKing. The ball fortunately missed its aim, and lodged in the thigh of agentleman who was standing in the rear. In the evening of the same day amore alarming circumstance occurred at the Drury Lane Theatre. At themoment when the King entered the royal box, a man in the pit, on theright-hand side of the orchestra, suddenly stood up and discharged alarge horse-pistol at him. The hand of the would-be assassin was thrownup by a bystander, and the ball entered the box just above the head ofthe King.

  Such were the public manifestations of affection for this royal tyrant.He was finally attacked by an enemy that could not be thwarted, and onthe 20th December, 1810, he became a confirmed lunatic. In this dreadfulcondition he lingered until January, 1820, when he died, having been themost unpopular, unwise and obstinate sovereign that ever disgraced theEnglish throne. He was forgotten as soon as life left his body, and washurriedly buried with that empty pomp which but too often attends adespot to the grave.

  His whole career is well summed up by Allan Cunningham, his biographer,in few words: "Throughout his life he manifested a strong disposition tobe his own minister, and occasionally placed the kingly prerogatives inperilous opposition to the resolutions of the nation's representatives.His interference with the deliberations of the upper house, as in thecase of Fox's Indian bill, was equally ill-judged and dangerous. _Theseparation of America from the mother country, at the time it tookplace, was the result of the King's personal feelings and interferencewith the ministry._ The war with France was, in part at least,attributable to the views and wishes of the sovereign of England. Hisobstinate refusal to grant any concessions to his Catholic subjects,kept his cabinet perpetually hanging on the brink of dissolution, andthreatened the dismemberment of the kingdom. He has been often praisedfor firmness, but it was in too many instances the firmness ofobstinacy; a dogged adherence to an opinion once pronounced, or aresolution once formed."

  The mind, in passing from the unhonored grave of the prince to the lastresting-place of the peasant boy, leaps from a kingdom of darkness toone of light.

  Let us now return to the career of Washington. Throughout theRevolutionary War he carried, like Atropos, in his hand the destinies ofmillions; he bore, like Atlas, on his shoulders the weight of a world.It is unnecessary to follow him throughout his subsequent career.Honored again and again by the people of the land he had redeemed fromthraldom, he has taken his place in death by the side of the wisest andbest of the world's benefactors. Assassins did not unglory him in life,nor has oblivion drawn her mantle over him in death. The names of hisgreat battle-fields have become nursery words, and his principles haveimbedded themselves forever in the national character. Every pulsationof our hearts beats true to his memory. His mementoes are everywherearound and about us. Distant as we are from the green fields of hisnative Westmoreland, the circle of his renown has spread far beyond ourborders. In climes where the torch of science was never kindled; onshores still buried in primeval bloom; amongst barbarians where the faceof liberty was never seen, the Christian missionary of America, rousedperhaps from his holy duties by the distant echo of the national salute,this day thundering amidst the billows of every sea, or dazzled by thegleam of his country's banner, this day floating in every wind ofheaven, pauses over his task as a Christian, and whilst memory kindlesin his bosom the fires of patriotism, pronounced in the ear of theenslaved pagan the venerated name of WASHINGTON!

  Nor are the sons of the companions of Washington alone in doing justiceto his memory. Our sisters, wives and mothers compete with us indischarging this debt of national gratitude. With a delicacy that nonebut woman could exhibit
, and with a devotion that none but a daughtercould feel, they are now busy in executing the noble scheme ofpurchasing his tomb, in order for endless generations to stand sentinelover his remains. Take them! take them to your hearts, oh! ye daughtersof America; enfold them closer to your bosom than your first-bornoffspring; build around them a mausoleum that neither time nor changecan overthrow; for within them germinates the seeds of liberty for thebenefit of millions yet unborn. Wherever tyranny shall lift its Medusanhead, wherever treason shall plot its hellish schemes, wherever disunionshall unfurl its tattered ensign, there, oh there, sow them in thehearts of patriots and republicans! For from these pale ashes thereshall spring, as from the dragon's teeth sown by Cadmus of old on theplains of Heber, vast armies of invincible heroes, sworn upon the altarand tomb at Mount Vernon, to live as freemen, or as such to die!