with France that the country was threatened with
war. Washington was asked to take his old position of Commander-in-Chief
of the army and he accepted. He organized an army, but, fortunately,
peace was made without bloodshed, and he was glad to go back to Mount
Vernon.

One winter day, while riding, Washington was caught in a heavy storm of
rain and snow. He was used to all kinds of weather and thought nothing
of the exposure, even though he was hoarse and had a severe cold the
next day. Before morning of the third day, he was very ill and when the
doctors came, they bled him. It was the stupid practice of those days
and in a few hours Washington was so weakened as to be past hope of
recovery. He died on December 14, 1799, as bravely as he had lived. His
wife praying beside him was as brave and calm as he. He had asked that
his funeral might be a simple one, and so it was. None was there but
friends and neighbors. The casket was carried out upon the veranda that
all might see his face. Troops from Alexandria, (Va.) with solemn music
led the funeral procession. Four clergymen in white followed. The
General's favorite horse, with saddle and bridle, was led by two negro
grooms. The casket, borne by Free Masons and army officers, was followed
by his family, and by friends and neighbors. While minute guns were
fired from a warship in the river below, the procession wound along the
lovely paths of Mount Vernon to the family tomb on the hillside. Here
the body was laid to rest with religious and Masonic ceremonies.

When the news reached the people that Washington was dead, the whole
country went into deepest mourning. In Europe, the sorrow was true and
sincere. The British fleets put their flags at half-mast and Napoleon
ordered crepe put upon the banners of France. Though Washington was born
and educated in America and belongs truly to Americans, he was such a
friend to humanity, such a champion of liberty, that the whole world
claims him as a model.

His will provided that, after the death of his wife, all his slaves
should be free and he left money for those who could not earn a living.
His able management had made Mount Vernon a great estate of nine
thousand acres. Beside this, he held forty-four other tracts of land in
nine different States, and he was one of the greatest land owners in
America. Believing that the Republic would stand secure only upon a
foundation of education, courage and conscience, he left money for