York, urging them to adopt the Constitution that upheld

"The Fed'ral system which at once unites

The 13 States and all the people's rights."

John Jay (1745-1829), the honoured Chief-Justice of the United States, contributed five of these; James Madison, "The Father of the Constitution," wrote twenty-nine, and on these is based his literary reputation; and Hamilton, the third of the great trio, wrote fifty-one.

All these essays were on profound themes and each is marked with sincerity and dignity.

of those contributed by Madison: —

Guizot says

"There is not one element of order, strength, or durability in the Constitution which he did not powerfully contribute to introduce, and cause to be adopted."

The result was achieved; for in 1790, the Constitution was accepted by the "Thirteen States," and thus national existence was firmly established.

And "The Federalist" still remains an authority on the principles of government; and for it we are indebted to Hamilton more than to any other man. Even his unswerving opposer, Jefferson, declared him "The Colossus of the Federalists." And this challenged Constitution has adapted itself to the growing conditions of our phenomenal government, and with

but few amendments still remains a monument to our "Master Nation-Builder."

Hamilton built his country home, "The Grange," on Harlem Heights, nine miles from the city. It was in the centre of a rolling region of field and forest and winding roads, with a glimpse beyond of silvery river and bay. Here, also, he planted thirteen gum trees as symbolic of the thirteen original. States.

And it was on a fateful July morning, in 1804, that Hamilton left "The Grange" and crossed the Hudson to meet his death at the hands of Vice-President Aaron Burr; and he was borne to his grave in Trinity churchyard, amid the splendour of a great pageant. "The Order of Tammany," the most famous "Order of the Cincinnati," Federalist and Anti-Federalist, were all in line, and behind the bier two black men robed in white led Hamilton's charger; and Gouverneur Morris gave the impassioned funeral oration in which he said: "His sole subject of discussion was your freedom and your happi

ness.

To-day, at Convent Avenue and One-Hundred and Forty-first Street, in the great city, we find "The Grange" in good preservation, used as the rectory of St. Luke's Church; and an apartment house covers the site of the thirteen colonial trees. They had lived for many years, an object of interest to sightseers. Downtown in Trinity churchyard, not far from

Hamilton's old city home, we read on his tombstone the following inscription:

"Erected by the Corporation of Trinity Church, in testimony of their respect for

The patriot of incorruptible integrity,

The soldier of approved valor,

The statesman of consummate wisdom, whose talents and virtues will be admired by a grateful posterity long after this marble shall have mouldered into dust."

And other nation-builders there were, but only one more to whom we shall allude, and this is George Washington, "The Father of his Country." He left, it is true, but small mark upon the writings of his day, but his letters and documents manifest a pious and patriotic spirit. His public utterances were always dignified.

In old "Fraunce's Tavern," corner of Broad and Pearl Streets, New York, we visit the room where, in 1783, he bade farewell to his officers, saying in parting:

"With a heart full of love and gratitude, I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honourable."

His noblest literary production, however, is his more famous "Farewell Address," issued in September, 1796, on his retirement from the Presidency.

It is full of good advice and produced a profound sensation; and we close this period of Revolutionary strife with its tranquil note:

"I have not only retired from all public employments, but I am retiring within myself, and shall be able to view the solitary walk, and tread the paths of private life, with a heartfelt satisfaction. Envious of none, I am determined to be pleased with all; and this being the order of my march, I will move gently down the stream of life until I sleep with my Fathers."

"WHAT CONSTITUTES A STATE?

Not high-raised battlement or laboured mound,
Thick wall or moated gate;

Not cities fair, with spires and turrets crowned:
Men, high-minded men,

No:

With powers as far above dull brutes endued,

In forest, brake, or den,

As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude

Men who their duties know,

Know too their rights, and knowing, dare maintain;
Prevent the long-aimed blow,

And crush the tyrant, while they rend the chain."

-Alcaeus (tr. Sir William Jones).

XI

GLANCES BACKWARD AND FORWARD

We have considered the strivings of our colonial forbears and our heroic nation-builders, and there are yet other forces which combined to hasten the National era that is just before us.

For example, no sooner was the Revolutionary War over than patriotic Noah Webster exclaimed: "Let us seize the present moment and establish a national language "; and now, in 1783, he offered new literary implements in the form of a speller, grammar, and reader, which he called his "Grammatical Institute "- and the trio accomplished most successful educational results all over the United States. The speller alone, with its tempting fables, succeeding "The New England Primer," has appealed to more than sixty million young Americans.

And this professor, lexicographer, lawyer, and writer, had the excellent habit of jotting down every word whose meaning was not clear, and he was so often unable to find a definition, that he determined to prepare a compendium of the whole Enblish language; and with careful labour he commenced a Herculean task, and in 1828, "Webster's Dictionary" was published.