[Born in Virginia, United States, 1732. Died, 1799. Aged 67.]
If we were asked to single out from ancient or modern story one bright
unsullied example of true greatness, of perfect patriotism,
disinterestedness, consistency, and self-devotion, it would be difficult
not to select George Washington. England, that suffered by his acts, has
reason to be proud of his surpassing glory; for he came from the common
stock, and he wrought the liberty of his country by the exercise of
virtues dear to all Englishmen, and--let us dare to say--characteristic
of their race. He received the most ordinary education, for he lost his
father when ten years old; and he had to make his way in life by his own
best efforts. At the age of eighteen he was appointed surveyor, in
Virginia, to Lord Fairfax. At twenty he was Major in the colonial
militia. In 1775, he took the command of the army in America against
England. How he acted from that hour until 1783, when the treaty of
peace was signed,--what intrepidity he exhibited,--what wisdom, what
coolness, what courage, what moderation, what rare self-command under
defeat, for, fighting at great disadvantage, he lost more battles than
he gained,--is known to all. In 1789, he was elected President of the
United States. As chief of the government, he declined all remuneration,
save the bare payment of his official service: he had shown the same
abstinence when in command of the army. In 1796, worn out by the labours
and anxieties of his momentous life, he laid down his power and withdrew
into privacy; but not until he had delivered to the American people, as
his last public work, his solemn advice for their future
self-government and conduct. His words of weight may be read to-day with
singular advantage by the millions who enjoy the inappreciable blessings
of freedom and prosperity, which his good right hand, sound heart, and
sagacious judgment, chiefly secured to them. If hero-worship may be
pardoned, he shall be forgiven--for his offence shall induce in him only
humility--who kneels before the quiet, unpretending shrine of
Washington.
[By Canova.]
451*. WARREN HASTINGS. _Statesman._
[Born 1732. Died 1818. Aged 86.]
Descended of an ancient and honoured line, seated at Daylesford, in
Worcestershire, but ruined by taking the King’s side in the civil war.
The boy, motherless, from his birth, and left in the hands of his
grandfather, the impoverished incumbent of the parish, was sent early to
the village school, and taught his letters with the peasantry. At seven
years old, as he basked on the bank of the little stream that ran
through the domain of his fathers, the thought of repossessing the lost
inheritance broke on his imagination. The vision of the child was the
single personal aim of the man’s life. What a life, ere the vision took
reality! At 10 he was placed at Westminster school, at 17 he sailed with
a writership for Bengal. His courage and intelligence, when the English
authorities had fled from Calcutta, with his services in Clive’s army,
raised him rapidly to distinction, and in ten years after setting foot
on Indian ground, he was member of Council. At 32, he returned, with a
moderate fortune, to England: and--that given and spent--at 36, back to
India. At 40, Governor of Bengal. At 41, Governor-General. Ere the five
years of his appointment had elapsed, he was more! He had overthrown his
mortal foes in the Council: and was Lord Paramount of British India. In
his 53rd year, his reign ceased. What had it been? With a resolution
which no dangers and no difficulties could daunt, with a genius for
resource, fertile in proportion to the demand, with a sagacity that
disabled opposition and commanded success, with a self-possession calm
in every tempest, he had taken in hand a set of provinces imperilled by
their disorganization and by terrible enemies: and he left a constructed
and fortified empire. What had been his means? Good and ill. He had
stood between the rapacious rulers and the feeble ruled, and was alike
beloved by both. A civilian, he held the heart and allegiance of the
army. But in India he had used Indian powers. He had not amassed money
corruptly, but he had corrupted with it. He had extorted treasure, he
had broken faith, he had authorized and instigated cruelty, he had
violated justice to shed guilty blood, he had held the ordinary moral
laws suspended, for the safety and the aggrandizement of the dominion
committed to his sway. Called to answer before the highest tribunal in
the land, by all the intellect, eloquence, and power of a great party in
Parliament, he was acquitted after a process of unheard-of duration,
reaching through many years: but ruined by the costs. Partially
compensated by the India House he retired to the ancestral home which,
according to his early resolve, he had taken care to secure. Here for
years he lived a tranquil, happy life in the midst of books, which he
loved, and of endeavours to improve English cultivation from his
experience in India.
[By J. Bacon, R.A.]