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mighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm; but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, blood, and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States; yet through all the gloom I can see rays of light and glory; I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not."

On the following day, the 4th, the Declaration was formally adopted by Congress, and proclaimed to the world; -the most important document in the political history of nations. As the day on which this solemn manifesto was made public, rather than that on which the resolution was adopted in private, was deemed the proper date of the country's independence, the Fourth of July has been consecrated as the National Anniversary; and will thus be celebrated, with patriotic zeal and pious gratitude, by the citizens of America, to the end of time.

DR. FRANKLIN IN CONGRESS.

WHEN the Declaration of Independence was under the consideration of Congress, there were two or three unlucky expressions in it, which gave offence to some members. The words "Scotch and other auxiliaries," excited the ire of a gentleman or two of that country. Severe strictures on the conduct of the British king, in negativing our repeated repeals of the law which permitted the importation of slaves, were disapproved by some southern gentlemen, whose reflections were not yet matured to the full abhorrence of that traffic. Although the offensive expressions were immediately yielded, those gentlemen continued their depredations on other parts of the instrument. I was sitting by Dr. Franklin, who perceived that I was not insensible to the mutilations. "I have made it a rule," said he, "whenever it is in my power, to avoid becoming the draughtsman of papers to be reviewed by a public body. I took my lesson from an incident which I will relate to

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you. When I was a journeyman printer, one of my companions, an apprentice hatter, having served his time, was about to open shop for himself. His first concern was to have a handsome signboard, with a proper inscription. He composed it in these words :- John Thompson, Hatter, makes and sells hats for ready money, with the figure of a hat subjoined. But he thought he would submit it to his friends for their amendments. The first he showed it to, thought the word 'hatter' tautologous, because followed by the words 'makes hats,' which show he was a hatter. - It was struck out. The next observed that the word 'makes' might as well be omitted, because his customers would not care who made the hats; if good, and to their mind, they would buy, by whomsoever made. He struck it out. A third said he thought the words 'for ready money' were useless, as it was not the custom of the place to sell on credit-every one who purchased expected to pay. They were parted with and the inscription now stood, 'John Thompson sells hats.' Sells hats? says his next friend; why nobody will expect you to give them away. What then is the use of that word? It was stricken out, and hats' followed it, the rather as there was one painted on the board; so his inscription was reduced ultimately to 'John Thompson,' with the figure of a hat subjoined."

PATRIOTIC SCHOOL BOYS.

IN November, 1776, the General Court ordered four brass cannon to be purchased for the use of the artillery companies in Boston. Two of these guns were kept in a gun-house that stood opposite the Mall, at the corner of West street. A school-house was the next building, and a yard enclosed with a high fence was common to both. Major Paddock, who then commanded the company, having been heard to express his intention of surrendering these guns to the British army, a few individuals resolved to secure for the country a property which belonged to it, and which, in the emergency of the times, had an importance very disproportionate to its intrinsic value.

Having concerted their plan, the party passed through the school-house into the gun-house, and were able to open the doors which were upon the yard, by a small crevice, through which they raised the bar that secured them. The moment for the execution of the project was that of the roll-call, when the sentinel, who was stationed at one door of the building, would be less likely to hear their operations.

The guns were taken off their carriages, carried into the school-room, and placed in a large box under the master's desk, in which wood was kept. Immediately after the roll-call, a lieutenant and sergeant came into the gun-house to look at the cannon, previously to removing them. A young man, who had assisted in their removal, remained by the building, and followed the officer in, as an innocent spectator. When the carriages were found without the guns, the sergeant exclaimed, " Halloa, they're gone! I'll be hanged if these fellows won't steal the teeth out of your head, while you're keeping guard." They then began to search the building for them, and afterward the yard; and when they came to the gate that opened into the street, the officers observed that they could not have passed that way, because a cobweb

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