LOVE OF COUNTRY.

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LOVE OF COUNTRY.

Patriotism, or the love of country, is so general, that even desert is remembered with pleasure, provided it is our own. he Cretans called it by a name which indicated a mother's ve for her children.-The Ethiopian imagines that God made is sands and deserts, while angels only were employed in orming the rest of the globe. The Arabian tribe of Ouadelin onceive that the sun, moon, and stars, rise only for them. The Maltese, insulated on a rock, distinguish their island, by he appellation of "The Flower of the World ;" and the Caribbees esteem their country a Paradise, and themselves alone entitled to the name of men.

The Abbé de Lille relates of an Indian, who, amid the splendour of Paris, beholding a banana tree in the Jardin des Plantes, bathed it with tears, and for a moment seemed to be transported to his own land. And when an European advised some American Indians to emigrate to another district, "What," said they, "shall we say to the bones of our fathers, Arise, and follow us to a foreign country?"

Bosman relates, that the negroes of the Gold Coast of Africa are so desirous of being buried in their own country, that if a man die at some distance from it, and his friends are not able to take his entire body to his native spot, they cut off his head, one arm, and one leg, cleanse them, boil them, and then carry them to the desired spot, where they inter them with great solemnity. And the Javanese have such an affection for the place of their nativity, that no advantages can induce them, the agricultural tribes in particular, to quit the tombs of their fathers.

The Norwegians, proud of their barren summits, inscribe upon their rix dollars-" Spirit, loyalty, valour, and whatever is honourable, let the world learn among the rocks of Norway!"

PATRICK HENRY.

The moment that the United States had established their independence on a firm basis, Patrick Henry, so renowned for the bold and active part which he took in effecting this revolution, was the first to forget all previous animosities, and to hold out the hand of reconciliation and peace. He was a strong advocate for every measure which could induce the return of the refugees, who had espoused the cause of the mother-country; and made a proposition in their favour, which was very severely animadverted upon by some of the most respected members of Congress. Among others, Judge Tyler, the speaker of the Assembly, vehemently opposed him, and in a committee of the House, demanded "how he, above all other men, could think of inviting into his family, an enemy from whose insults and injuries he had suffered so severely?" The following was his prompt and beautiful reply:

"I acknowledge, indeed, sir, that I have many personal injuries of which to complain; but when I enter this hall of legislation, I endeavour, as far as human infirmity will permit, to leave all personal feelings behind me. This question is a national one, and in deciding it, if you act wisely, you will regard nothing but the interest of the nation. On the altar of my country's good, I am willing to sacrifice all personal resentments, all private wrongs, and I am sure I should most absurdly flatter myself, if I thought that I was the only person in this House capable of making such a sacrifice."

Mr. Henry then proceeded to show, in a very forcible manner, the policy of using every possible means of augmenting the population of a country as yet so thinly inhabited as America; whose future greatness he thus prophetically depicted:

"Encourage emigration-encourage the husbandmen, the mechanics, the merchants of the old world, to come and settle

in this land of promise-make it the home of the skilful, the industrious, and happy, as well as the asylum of the distressed -fill up the measure of your population as speedily as you can, by the means which Heaven hath placed in your power —and, I venture to prophesy, there are those now living, who will see this favoured land amongst the most powerful on earth. Yes, sir, they will see her great in arts, and in arms -her golden harvests waving over immeasurable extent— her commerce penetrating the most distant seas, and her cannon silencing the vain boast of those who now affect to rule the waves.

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Mr. Henry's proposition was carried, and every succeeding year proves that his anticipations were well founded. America soon experienced the policy of his counsels; and tide after tide, emigration has ever since continued to roll wealth and improvement over her provinces.

DR. FRANKLIN.

Dr. Franklin, in the early part of his life, and when following the business of a printer, had occasion to travel from Philadelphia to Boston. In his journey, he stopped at one of the inns, the landlord of which possessed all the inquisitive impertinence of his countrymen. Franklin had scarcely sat himself down to supper, when his landlord began to torment him with questions. He, well knowing the disposition of these people, and knowing that answering one question would only pave the way for twenty more, determined to stop the landlord at once, by requesting to see his wife, children, and servants, in short, the whole of his household. When they were summoned, Franklin, with an arch solemnity, said, “My good friends, I sent for you here to give you an account of myself: My name is Benjamin Franklin; I am a printer, of nineteen

years of age; reside at Philadelphia, and am now going to Boston. I sent for you all, that if you wish for any further particulars, you may ask, and I will inform you; which done, I hope you will permit me to eat my supper in peace.”

GENERAL PUTNAM

Is known to have been decidedly opposed to duelling, on principle. It once happened that he grossly affronted a brother officer. The dispute arose at a wine table, and the officer demanded instant reparation. Putnam, being a little elevated, expressed his willingness to accommodate the gentleman with a fight; and it was stipulated that the duel should take place on the following morning, and that they should fight without seconds. At the appointed time, the general went on to the ground, armed with sword and pistols. On entering the field, Putnam, who had taken a stand at the opposite extremity, and at a distance of thirty rods, levelled his musket, and fired at him. The gentleman now ran towards his antagonist, who deliberately proceeded to reload his gun.

"What are you about to do?" exclaimed he ;-" is this the conduct of an American officer, and a man of honour?"

"What are you about to do?" exclaimed the General, attending only to the first question; "a pretty question to put to a man whom you intend to murder! I'm about to kill you; and if you don't beat a retreat in less time than t'would take old Heath to hang a tory, you are a gone dog;" at the same time returning his ramrod to its place, and throwing the breech of his gun into the hollow of his shoulder.

This intimation was too unequivocal to be misunderstood; and our valorous duellist turned and fled for dear life.

It is believed that this was the only single combat in which