338 ANiNUAL REGISTER, 1800. 



refused, day after day, his necessary 

 food; and imminent danger appear- 

 ed of his speedy departure out of 

 life in so dreadful a state of mind. 

 But the Lord, who had dashed the 

 rising hopes of his friends, now 

 mercifully disappointed their fears. 

 His period of mortality was ex- 

 tended ; and means were unexpect- 

 edly afforded for his removal fi-om 

 this neighbourhood to a distant 

 situation, where he could remain 

 under the continual care of an 

 amiable young kinsman, who, with 

 a tenderness beyond the common 

 limits of filial atfection, watched 

 over the precious remnant of his 

 life. Much of it elapsed without a 

 probability of his restoration to the 

 state from which he had last fallen. 

 His intellectual powers were so 

 much affected by this relapse, that 

 he was only capable of attending 

 to the most trivial subjects, even 

 when willing to have his thoughts 

 diverted fi-om despair. Local ad- 

 vantages, the solicitous attention of 

 affectionate friends, and the inde- 

 fatigable assiduity of his only re- 

 maining companion, were at length 

 rendered so far useful, that he was 

 enabled to resume his literary occu- 

 pations, which were always, when 

 pursued, a considerable, though 

 partial, alleviation of his distress. 



During the last year or two of 

 Mr. Cowper's life, his health, and 

 his state of mind, appeared to be as 

 much restored as, for an equal time, 

 at any period during his long afflic- 

 tions. Towards the close of the past 

 winter, he was, however, attacked 

 by a bodily disorder, which brought 

 on a rapid decay. His young friend 

 and relative, convinced that he 

 would shortly exchange a world of 

 infirmity and sorrow for a far more 

 exceeding and eternal weight of 



glory, repeatedly endeavoured to 

 cheer him with the prospect, and i 

 to assure him of the happiness that 

 awaited him. Still he refused to be 

 comforted. "Oh! spare me! spare 

 me! You know, you know it to be 

 false," was his only reply, with the 

 same invincible despair to which 

 he had so long been a prey. Early 

 on the 25th of April, he sunk into 

 a state of apparent insensibility, 

 which might have been mistaken for 

 a tranquil slumber, but thathiseyes 

 remained half open. His breath 

 was regular, though feeble ; and 

 his countenance and animal frame 

 perfectly serene. In this state he 

 continued for twelve hours, and 

 then expired, without heaving his 

 breath. 



General Washington's Will. 



I 



In the name of God, Amen. 

 George Washington, of Mount- 

 Vernon, a citizen of the United 

 States, and lately president of the 

 same, do make, ordain, and declare 

 this instrument, which is written 

 with my own hand, and every page 

 thereof subscribed with my name, 

 to be my last will and testament, 

 revoking all others. 



Item — All my debts, of which 

 there are but few, and none of mag- 

 nitude, are to be punctually and 

 speedily paid J and the legacies here- 

 after bequeathed are to be discliar- 

 ged as soon as circumstances will 

 permit, and in the manner directed. 



Hem. — To my dearly beloved 

 wife, Martha Washington, 1 give 

 and bequeath the use, profit, and 

 benefit of my whole estate, real and 

 personal, for the term of her natu- 

 ral life, except such parts thereof as 

 are specially disposed of hereafter. 



