{"newspaper_name": "The Litchfield County post.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": ""}
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red not their skill, and all the resources of their art were exhaustei in their unwearied epdeav0rs to preserve the rob st work of nature.

 Night approAched-tie last night of Wash ing on: the weath.V became severely cold. while he roup gathered nearer to the couch 0f the suff Ter, watching with intense anxiety for the sIls shteSt dawnirg ofhope. He spoke hut little. To the affectiOnatr and respectful female servant. as she smO0thed down his pillow how he felt himself he answered, "I am very sick" To Dr. Craik, his earliest companion in arms long tried. and bosom friend. he observed: !" 1 am dying, Sir hui am not afraid to die" To Mrs. Wash lngton he said : 'Go to my escrutor, and in the private drawer you will find two papers bring them to me-" They were brought. He continued: "these are my wills---pre- serve this one, and burn t,t o CT" which was immediately done. To Col Lear, he directed to have his corpse kept for the usual period of three days. * Here we beg leave to remind our readers. that, in former part of this work, we have said that Washington was old fashioned in much of his habits, and in some of his opin- ions nor was he the less to be admired on these accounts. The custom of keeping the dead for the period of three days, is derived iron, remote antiquity, and arose not from fear0f premature interment. as in more mo- dern times, but from motives of veneration towards the deceased: for the better enabling the relatives and friends to assemble from distance to perform the funeral rites for the piOus Watchings of the corpse; and for the, sad yet endearing ceremonials with which we delight to pay our last duties to the rema ins of those we have loved

 The patient bore his acute suffering with manly fortitude, and perfect resignation to the Divine will; while as night advanced, it became evident that he was sinking, and he seemed aware that his hour was nigh. He inquired the time and it was answered, a few moments to twelve. He spake no more; the hand of death was upon him,and he was con- scious that his hour was nigh. With surprl- sing self possession he prepared to die. Com posing his form at length,and folding his arms on his bos0m-withOut sigh or groan, the Father ofhis Country expired, gently as tho' an infant died. No pang or struggle told when the noble spirit took its noiseiess flight while SD tranquil appeared his features in the repose of death, that some moments had passed ere those around could believe that the Patriarch was no more.

 It may be asked, and why was the minis- try of religion wanting to shed its lustre upon the last hours of Washington Why was he to whom the observances of sacred duties were ever primary through life. without their cancellations in his last moments? We an- swer, circumstances would not permit Close to the hero, resting her head upon that an- cient book,with which she had held piou- com munion, portion of each day for half cen tury, was the venerable consort, absorbed in prayer. and from which she only arose when the mourning groupe prepared to bear her from the chamber of the dead. Such were the last hours of Washington n.-Custis Recol- LectiOnS.