rican Army on Princeton, where, on the third of January,
1776, he compassed the entire destruction of one regiment of the enemy,
and captured or forced to ignoble retreat two others. This battle was
the subject of one of Colonel Trumbull's most famous paintings; and it
was during this engagement--as Washington himself told the illustrious
artist--that he was in greater peril than even at the time of Braddock's
defeat.

In the height of the battle the two armies were for a brief season in
furious conflict, and Washington between them within range of both
fires. Washington Irving writes:

His Aide, Colonel Fitzgerald, losing sight of him in the heat of
the fight when enveloped in smoke and dust, dropped the bridle on
the neck of his horse and drew his hat over his eyes, giving him up
for lost. When he saw him, however, emerging from the cloud, waving
his hat, and beheld the enemy giving way, he spurred up to his
side: "Thank God," cried he, "your Excellency is safe!" "Away, my
dear Colonel, and bring up the troops," was Washington's reply;
"the day is our own."

Trumbull's immortal picture shows us the hero of that decisive battle
standing on the memorable day of Princeton by the side of his white
war-horse. Says an eloquent writer:

Well might he exult in the event of the day, for it was the last of
a series of bold and skilful manoeuvres and successful actions, by
which, in three weeks, he had rescued Philadelphia, driven the
enemy from the banks of the Delaware, recovered the State of New
Jersey, and, at the close of a disastrous campaign, restored hope
and confidence to the country.

Such are the six memorable events which it well becomes the American
people to recall with devout gratitude and awe, realizing anew the
Providence that watches alike over human beings and the affairs of
nations, and recognizing the solemn truth that ever, as, signally, in
those times that tried the souls of men,

"God fulfills Himself in many ways."

* * * * *

CHARACTERISTICS OF WASHINGTON

_Von Braam and Washington_

Washington began to be a soldier in his boyhood. During the British
campaign against the West Indies, Lawrence Washington, George's
half-brother, made the acquaintance of a Dutchman, named Jacob von
Braam, who afterwards came to Virginia. These young men were great
heroes to the ten-year-old George. Von Braa