War of the Revolution (Continued).

1. Congress declared the colonies free and independent July 4th, 1776. The war, however, lasted for several years; and, during this period, the Americans contended nobly to effect their independence, and to drive the British from the country.

2. In the fall of 1776, a deep gloom overspread the land. General Washington's army was reduced to three thousand men. He was obliged to retreat from Long Island into New Jersey, and afterwards into Pennsylvania. During this retreat, the army suffered the greatest hardships. The soldiers had poor provisions, and not enough even of them. They had few blankets and few shoes. The ground over which they passed was often stained with their blood.

3. In December, however, the prospect brightened. General Washington and his army returned into New Jersey, and there fought the "battle of Trenton." In this battle the Americans took a thousand prisoners. These prisoners were "Hessians." Hessians." They came from a place called Hesse, in Germany.

4. The next year- that is, in 1777-in September, was fought the "battle of Brandywine," in Delaware. Another battle was fought in October. This was the "battle of Germantown," six miles from Philadelphia. In both these battles the Americans were defeated.

5. The season was now growing late. After the battle of Germantown, the British army retired to Philadelphia, where they spent the winter. The

American army passed the winter twenty miles from Philadelphia.

6. This was a trying winter for the American army. Three thousand were sick at one time. Once they were in danger of famine. The soldiers were obliged to lie in their tents without blankets; and to walk in the snow, and on frozen ground, without shoes.

Questions.

1. When was independence declared? Did the war continue after this? Why did the Americans fight?

2. What is said of the state of things in the fall of 1776? To what number was the American army reduced? Where was General Washington obliged to retreat? Did the army suffer? For what?

3. When did things become brighter? What battle was fought? How many prisoners were taken by the Americans? What were they called? From what country did they come?

4. When was the battle of Brandywine fought? Where is Brandywine? When the battle of Germantown? Where is Germantown? What was the success of the Americans in these battles ?

5. Where did the British army spend the winter? Where the American army?

6. What is said of the American army this winter? How many were sick at one time? Of what were they in danger? From what other causes did they suffer?

Story.

1. After the battle of Germantown the British army was in Philadelphia. The Americans had retired to White Marsh, a few miles distant from the city.

2. Whilst here, an attempt was made by the British to surprise Washington in his camp. It was frustrated by a Quaker woman named Lydia Darrach.

3. Lydia lived in Philadelphia, and at her house the Adjutant-General of the British army had his quarters, and here consultations were frequently held by the commanding officers.

4. One evening the General ordered Lydia to prepare a room for the reception of some gentlemen who were to meet him on business; adding, in a decisive tone," and be sure,. Lydia, your family are all in bed at an early hour." His manner impressed her with the feeling that something of importance was intended, but she obeyed his orders; her family were asleep, and she, after admitting the officers, retired without undressing to her own bed.

5. The feeling that evil designs against her country were plotting made her so restless, that at length she arose, and stole, barefooted, to the door of the room in which the council was sitting There she heard an order from General Howe for the troops in Philadelphia to march out and surprise and attack Washington's camp at White Marsh.

6. At early dawn Lydia arose, and, with a prayer for guidance and protection, went to General Howe, the chief

General of the British army, and told him she wished to go to Frankford Mills for flour, and asked him to give her leave pass the British troops. This he readily did.

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7. Leaving her meal-bag at Frankford, she pressed on through the snow, for it was a cold December morning, towards Washington's camp. Meeting an American officer, she told him the precious secret, and then, hurrying back to Frankford, took up her flour, and reached Philadelphia without any suspicions being aroused.

8. That night she saw the troops depart, on what she felt was a fruitless errand; and so it proved, for in a few days they returned, having accomplished nothing, and feeling very much vexed.

to account.

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9. The Adjutant-General of course called Lydia Darrach He asked if any of her family were up on the night previous to the day on which the troops left the city?" she replied, "No, they all retired at eight o'clock." "It is very strange," said the officer; "you, I know, Lydia, were asleep, for I knocked at your door three times before you heard me, yet it is certain we were betrayed:-on arriving, we found Washington so prepared at every point, that we have been compelled to march back without injuring our enemy, like a parcel of fools."