Francis Glass, Washingtonii Vita
J.N. Reynolds, Ed.

1 Die, &c., “ on the 13th day of December, 1799, Washington's neck and hair were sprinkled with a thin rain, whilst, bent on some rural affairs, he was desirous that agriculture should be promoted. ”

2 Gulæ, &c., “ seized with an inflammation of the windpipe. ”

3 Vena, &c., “ he lost blood (by one of his overseers, perhaps,) before day; ” literally, a vein was cut.

4 Ingravescente, &c., “ the disease (the croup) increasing, he plainly foresaw that he would die; but, yet, (though) dying, he did not refuse to comply with the counsel of his physicians. ”

5 Expertus erat, &c., “ after he had tried various medicines, ” &c.

6 Ut sine, &c., “ that it might be permitted him to die without any molestation. ” Molestia is here placed passively.

7 Lectumque, &c., “ and sought his bed; ” went to bed.

8 Prœstiterat, “ had shown, ” exhibited, or made good.

9 Fato, &c., “ he yielded to fate; ” or rather, the destiny or decrees of fate.

10 Fuit, &c., “ Washington is no more; ” thus Virg., “ Fuit Ilium, ” “ Troy is no more. ”

11 Patet, &c., “ which (grief) extends so widely. ”

12 Bellumque, &c., “ and most gladly exchanged war for peace. ”

13 Cum, &c., “ when the weakness of the United States of America appeared obvious to all, and the bands, by which the very extensive land of Columbus (America) was held together, would be loosed, we have beheld Washington the first of all those, who had established this our, ” &c.

14 Sibi, (scilicet, patriæ,) “ and the war hanging over it, (his country. ”）

15 Undis, &c., “ plunged, and immersed in civil commotions. ”

16 Ad villam, &c., “ he, nevertheless, (i. e., notwithstanding his ability to be elected president the third time) retired to his countryseat, at Mount Vernon, and he heartily wished to be far removed, in future, from all civil employments. ”

17 Utcunque, &c., “ however the opinion of the rabble, as respects other men, may be changed, the fame, at least, of Washington will ever remain imperishable and the same. ”

18 Patres, &c., “ Conscript fathers, let us, therefore, honor, ” &c. Senators, and members of Congress, may be called by this name.

19 Parentur, “ be prepared, by which it may become plainly manifest, that Congress wishes highly to honor the man, first in war, (first) in peace, (first) in the affections of his countrymen. ”

20 Civium, &c., “ for the grief of the citizens was like the sorrow of an affectionate wife and children, bewailing a husband or father taken from them. ”

21 Ergô, (for causâ,) “ for the sake of gratitude; ” thus Virgil, ““ Illius ergo venimus. ”
“ We have come on account of him, ”
”

22 Ut plurimùm, “ for the most part; ” generally, commonly.

23 Pagi, &c., “ villages, towns, cities, districts, counties, public schools, rejoiced to take to themselves the name of Washington. ”

24 Audaces, &c., “ furthermore, adventurous mariners, who discovered unknown regions, proclaimed the name of Washington, in the most distant corners of the globe. ”

25 Cœlum, &c., “ the air, which he, ” &c.,

26 Laborum, &c., “ wonderfully capable of enduring toil. ”

27 Virtutem, &c., “ he practised virtue and rectitude, not only from a fear of the Deity, but also from an inborn love of rectitude. ”

28 Consuetudo epistolaris, &c., “ an epistolary intercourse with the, ” &c.

29 Maritus, &c., “ he was an affectionate husband, a sincere friend; ” the adjective pius implies, what we usually call affectionate, dutiful, especially towards God, our parents, country, and relatives. It is the epithet by which Virgil invariably designates his hero.

30 Ratione, “ in sound practical sense; ” we have no word of exactly similar import in our language.

31 Ingenium, &c., “ the genius of Washington did not differ much from the genius of Aristotle, of Bacon, (a most learned Englishman,) and of the most illustrious Newton. ” By these we intend to convey the idea, that the parts of Washington were better adapted to the investigation of sober truth, than to display a flippant and superficial learning, like Voltaire, and his self-styled philosophers.

32 Sensu, &c., “ making use of common sense, he could better perform all the (civil) offices, to which his countrymen unanimously called him, than if, tinctured with more polished learning, he would shake the American populace (by his eccentricities) with laughter, by aiming at things obviously repugnant to common sense. ”

33 Voti, &c., “ he obtained his wish, or desire. ”

34 Asciscere, &c., “ and he knew how to take to himself the man deserving praise; worthy of it; an honorable man. ” The substantive noun laus, in the best writers, frequently means, not so much, praise, or commendation, as those actions which deserve it; praiseworthy, or commendable actions. Thus Virgil, “ Sunt etiam hic sua prœmia laudi. ” “ Commendable deeds have their own rewards even here. ”

35 Fateamur, &c., “ it is absolutely necessary that we should confess, that he possessed so much constancy, that neither dangers, ” &c. The conjunction ut, is elegantly suppressed after necesse.

36 Ingenium, &c., “ his genius could supply every aid. ”

37 Vincere, &c., “ he well knew to conquer by delay, and acquired real praise, by despising unjust censure. ”

38 Ut, &c., “ that nothing greater (than he) was ever granted to mortals by the munificence of the Deity. ”

39 Nec., &c., “ he ncither knew how to feign, nor dissemble. ” The verb simulo means, I feign, or pretend a thing that does not exist; and dissimulo, I conceal, or dissemble a reality: thus, Sallust, speaking of the character of Catiline, says, “ Simulator, et dissimulator cujuslibet rei; ” “ he was a counterfeiter, and a dissembler of any thing. ”

40 Formas, &c., “ wholly despising the formalities of schools, and greedily seizing and alluring to him, those arts, and that species of instruction without which, renown in war could not be procured. ”

41 Responsum &c., “ he could very easily return an answer, forthwith, to any one. ”

42 Attamen, &c., “ but yet (that is, notwithstanding his ability to make immediate answers to any one,) he could, at least, reply in a learned, witty, suitable, neat, handsome, eloquent manner. ” The numerous replies to the many addresses received by him, whilst in command of the army, during his presidency, and afterwards, and above all, his farewell address to the citizens of the United States, are sufficient evidence of his ability in composition.

43 Pauci, &c., “ few (of those) who are commonly called great, exist, either now, or have existed formerly, who did not compensate (for) their great virtues, by enormous vices. ”

44 Cum, &c., “ when he was commander-in chief of the American armies, he had to struggle with the greatest difficulties, especially, for the want of provisions. ”

45 Milites, &c., “ the soldiers importuned him for clothing and food, but the farmers, for the protection and defence of their property. ”

46 Civitates, &c., “ furthermore, it was, certainly, not easy to be done, to recall thirteen states, separated by their situation, and by circumstances, to harmony and friendship. ”

47 Iræ, &c., “ resentment, and animosities existed between the southern, ” &c.

48 Rebus, &c., “ in difficult circumstances, not otherwise than in prosperous ones; ” just as in prosperity.

49 Animi, &c., “ that equanimity denoted greatness of soul, and most clearly showed him to be brave and great in all things, to perform which, his country called him. ”

50 Cautes, &c., “ a Marpesian rock; ” thus Virgil, speaking of Queen Dido, “ nec magis incepto vultum sermone movetur, Quàm si dura silex, aut stet Marpesia cautes. ” Nor is she more moved (as to) her countenance, by the begun discourse (of Æneas) than if she stood as a hard flint, or as a Marpesian rock.

51 Generis, &c., “ the rights of mankind. ”

52 Civium, &c., “ but he rightly judged, that the liberty of the citizens (civil liberty) could best be preserved safe, by obeying the laws. ”

53 Rempublicam, &c., “ he though that a republic, well arranged and put together, differed very much from a disorderly, tumultuous democracy. ”

54 Captare, &c., “ to catch at. ”

55 Difficultate, &c., “ in this difficulty of affairs, Washington could not be prevented from consulting the advantages of America. ”

56 Domi, &c., “ it was attempted by faction at home, by stratagem and threats abroad, to call and lead him aside, from a correct method of governing the republic; but the experiment was ineffectual; he ever continued steadfast, in the midst of the tempest which encompassed him. ”

57 Britanniæ, &c., “ he satisfied Great Britain, demanding things that were unreasonable, by embassies, rather than war. ”

58 Benè audiebat, “ sustained a good character; ” for benè, or malè audire, (de se being understood,) is to have a good or a bad name; literally, to hear well, or ill, of oneself.