THE history of republics furnishes us with but few instances of men, however distinguished for talents, continuing from youth to old age as successful politicians. Pericles, who governed Athens in the days of her glory for nearly forty years, is an exception which only proves the rule; for he stands alone in the annals of Greece. Others, of equal fame, have felt the chances and changes of a free government. Miltiades, who had saved his country by his consummate military prowess, in fighting the battle of Marathon, experienced the ingratitude of a republic, and died in prison. Eschylus, the father of tragic writers, and the great improver of the scenic art, after having distinguished himself as a warrior at Marathon, Platæa, and Salamis, was charged with impiety in his writings, because he was too sublime for the comprehension of the mass of the people, and was sentenced to death by those whom he had instructed and defended. He was pardoned by means of a brother's eloquence, but retired in disgust from an ungrateful people. Aristides the Just was exiled by the ostracism for many years, through the machinations of his political opponents: the perpetual agitations of a republic carry one up on the flood who is often in turn swept down as the tide recedes. This has too often been the case in this great republic of ours: we have seen statesmen give way to

THE history of republics furnishes us with but few instances of men, however distinguished for talents, continuing from youth to old age as successful politicians. Pericles, who governed Athens in the days of her glory for nearly forty years, is an exception which only proves the rule; for he stands alone in the annals of Greece. Others, of equal fame, have felt the chances and changes of a free government. Miltiades, who had saved his country by his consummate military prowess, in fighting the battle of Marathon, experienced the ingratitude of a republic, and died in prison. Eschylus, the father of tragic writers, and the great improver of the scenic art, after having distinguished himself as a warrior at Marathon, Platæa, and Salamis, was charged with impiety in his writings, because he was too sublime for the comprehension of the mass of the people, and was sentenced to death by those whom he had instructed and defended. He was pardoned by means of a brother's eloquence, but retired in disgust from an ungrateful people. Aristides the Just was exiled by the ostracism for many years, through the machinations of his political opponents: the perpetual agitations of a republic carry one up on the flood who is often in turn swept down as the tide recedes. This has too often been the case in this great republic of ours: we have seen statesmen give way to

mere politicians, and patriots to demagogues: but to the honor of the "ancient dominion" it must be acknowledged, that she has been less subject to change and caprice, than any of her sister states. She has in most instances been true to her men of talents, and found her reward in the influence they have acquired in the councils of the nation, and sustained in every change of policy. Among her sons whom she has delighted to honor, and who have reaped the reward of her constancy, is James Monroe. For more than half a century, he was daily before the public, and in that period has filled more important offices than any other man in the United States.

James Monroe was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, on the 28th of April, 1758. His ancestors came to this country among the early settlers, and he was born on the paternal acres first meted out to them. He was educated at William and Mary college, and was graduated in 1776. On leaving college, he took the law for a profession; but before he had read Coke upon Lyttleton, the military spirit, then firing the breasts of all our distinguished young men, created a fever in his veins, and he entered as a cadet in a corps then organizing under the gallant General Mercer, of Virginia. He was soon after appointed a lieutenant, and joined the army at New York. The campaign of 1776 was disastrous in the extreme. In four months after the declaration of independence, the Americans had been beaten in seven battles, and dismay and despair hung around them. Lieutenant Monroe took a part in the engagements at Harlaem heights, and at White Plains, and was with the army in their distressing retreat through the Jerseys. He was with Washington when the general crossed the Delaware, and made