in the name of his country for his distinguished services. Washington rose to reply--blushed-stammered-trembled--but could not say a word. "Sit down, Mr. Washington," said the Speaker; "your modesty equals your courage, and that surpasses the power of any language I possess."

4. The strongest place now in possession of the French was Quebec. This had been founded about the same time as Jamestown. The fort stood on an almost perpendicular bluff, two hundred feet high. It was strongly built, and defended by a large army under Montcalm. This post the English determined to take. The heroic Wolfe, with eight thousand men, was sent against it. They arrived in the summer of 1759.

5. For several months Wolfe lay before Quebec. He made various attempts, but was baffled in all by the strength of the place. He could see but one chance of success, and that, slight as it was, he resolved to try. While sailing up the river, he had espied, a short distance above the fort, a steep rough path running up the face of the cliff amid rocks and bushes. This led, he was told, to the Plains of Abraham, which extended to the upper town. His plan was to land in the night, lead his men up the narrow path, surprise the French guard on the top, and then advance upon the fort.

6. This plan was carried out. In the engraving you see Wolfe's men climbing up the cliff. Supporting themselves by roots and bushes, they reached the top, and put to flight the French guard which had fired on them as they approached the summit. By dawn the whole English army was on the heights. Montcalm was thunderstruck when he received these tidings. His men were at once in motion. A bloody battle took place. The English were successful. Wolfe fell at the moment of victory, thanking God for his success, and declaring that he died happy.

received, on his return to Virginia? What passed in the House of Burgesses? -4. What was the strongest place now in possession of the French? How was Quebec situated? By whom wås it defended? Who was sent against it? When?-5. How did Wolfe spend several months? What desperate plan did he at last form?-6. Give an account of the ascent. What did Montcalm do, on hearing the news? What was the result of the battle? What was Wolfe's

1759] CLOSE OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

77

7. Montcalm, also, was mortally wounded, while trying to rally his men. He had done all he could to save the day, but in vain. The French fled into the town, and three days afterwards Quebec surrendered to the English. The next year Montreal was taken, and with it all Canada fell into the hands of the English. It has ever since remained in their possession.

8. Thus ended the French and Indian War. It lasted over

fate?-7. What happened to Montcalm? Three days after the battle, what took place? What fell into the hands of the English, the next year?-8. How long did the French and Indian War last? How have the English honored the

six years, and cost the lives of thousands of brave men. Wolfe and Montcalm, the two gallant generals, were much lamented. The English have since raised a monument, bearing the name of each, on the spot where the battle was fought. Though England spent a great deal of money in this struggle, she in return vastly increased her possessions in the new world.

LESSON XXVI.

TROUBLES WITH THE GOVERNORS.

1. Peace now prevailed, and the colonies would have flourished if they had been left to themselves. But the King and Parliament of England wanted to control them and interfere with their affairs. Many of the governors, for years back, had been men who cared little for the colonies. Their chief aim was to enrich themselves, and deprive the people of their rights.

2. But the hardy settlers of America were not disposed to submit. On one occasion, Andros, who had been made governor of all New England, went to Connecticut, and told the people they must give up their charter. This was a paper setting forth their rights. It had been granted to them by a previous King; but the tyrannical James II. had revoked it, and sent Andros to take it away. The people were opposed to its surrender, and crowded into the hall where the assembly were discussing the question.

3. The charter lay open on the table. On a sudden the candles were put out, and when they were relighted the charter could not be found. A patriot had made off with it, and hidden it in the hollow of a large oak, called from this "the charter oak". Two years afterwards, the people heard that King

memory of Wolfe and Montcalm? What did England lose, and what did she gain, in this struggle?

1. What now prevented the colonies from flourishing? What was the character of many of the governors ?-2. How did the colonists feel towards their oppressive governors? What difficulty arose with Governor Andros?-3. How

1689]

STORY OF GOVERNOR FLETCHER.

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James had been driven from his throne in England, on account of his tyranny. On this they seized Andros, sent him over to England, and drew the much-prized charter, uninjured, out of its hiding-place.

4. A few years after this, the King gave Governor Fletcher authority to command the militia of Connecticut; and he ordered them to turn out at Hartford on a certain day, for review. The people preferred having their own officers command them. When Fletcher arrived, he found a large body of men assembled, with their captain, named Wadsworth, at their head. "Read the King's order, by which I am to command the Connecticut militia," said Fletcher to his secretary. Just then Wadsworth gave a signal, and the drummers commenced beating their drums so loudly that the secretary could not be heard.

5. "Silence!" roared Fletcher, and beckoned to his secretary to go on. Before he could do so, the drums commenced again, drowning every other sound. "Silence!" again cried Fletcher, almost bursting with rage. The drummers stopped; but Wadsworth, stepping up fiercely with his drawn sword, bade them go on. "If you interrupt them again," said he to Fletcher, "I will make daylight shine through you." When Fletcher heard this, he concluded to leave the Connecticut militia to their own officers.

6. The French and Indian War afforded a new pretext for wringing money out of America. The King and Parliament took the ground that, as the war had been in defence of the colonies, the colonies should pay for it. So they laid duties on various articles imported into America. The colonies were willing to bear the expense of the war. But they claimed that Parliament had no right to tax them, because they were not represented by any delegates in that body. Taxation without representation they would not submit to.

7. In 1760, Parliament took new measures for collecting the

was the charter saved? What afterwards happened to Andros ?-4, 5. What difficulty arose with Governor Fletcher.? Tell what passed between him and Captain Wadsworth.-6. What afforded a new pretext for wringing money out of America? What did the King and Parliament claim? What ground was

odious duty. The colonies were at once thrown into great excitement. Meetings were held, and the people protested against Parliament's assuming such despotic powers. The excitement was increased in 1765, by Parliament's passing the famous Stamp Act. By this act, all newspapers and almanacs, all bonds, notes, contracts, &c., were required to bear stamps, which were to be bought from the government at prices ranging from one cent to nearly thirty dollars. This tax the colonies determined to resist, if necessary, by force of arms.

LESSON XXVII.

CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION.

1. When the news that the Stamp Act had passed reached Virginia, the House of Burgesses was in session. Among the members was a young lawyer of burning eloquence and fearless spirit, named Patrick Henry. Indignant at this outrage on his country's rights, he poured forth an impassioned speech, which carried all before it. So boldly did he express himself, that the cry of "Treason! Treason!" was raised in different parts of the house, by members who favored the royal cause. But nothing could withstand the torrent of Patrick Henry's eloquence. It awakened a spirit of resistance in every noble breast.

2. The people did not confine themselves to words. They burned images of those who were appointed to sell the stamps. When vessels with stamps arrived, they tolled the bells, and walked the streets dressed in mourning. They destroyed whole boxes of stamps, and threatened all who should distribute or use them. So Parliament had to repeal this act. But it still

taken by the colonies ?-7. What did Parliament do in 1760? What was the effect of this in the colonies? What increased the excitement? What was required by the Stamp Act? How did the colonists feel respecting this tax?

1. What took place in the House of Burgesses of Virginia, when the passage of the Stamp Act was announced? What was the effect of Patrick Henry's eloquence ?-2. What acts followed on the part of the colonists? What was