Jared Sparks, 1789-1866, was born at Willington, Connecticut, and
graduated at Harvard in 1815. He was tutor in the University for two
years, and in 1819 was ordained pastor of the Unitarian Church in
Baltimore. In 1823 he returned to Boston, purchased the "North American
Review," and was its sole editor for seven years. From 1839 to 1849 he was
Professor in Harvard, and for the next three years was President of the
University. Mr. Sparks has written extensively on American history and
biography, including the lives of Washington and Franklin. He collected
the materials for his biographies with great care, and wrought them up
with much skill.
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The person of Washington was commanding, graceful, and fitly proportioned;
his stature six feet, his chest broad and full, his limbs long and
somewhat slender, but well-shaped and muscular. His features were regular
and symmetrical, his eyes of a light blue color, and his whole
countenance, in its quiet state, was grave, placid, and benignant. When
alone, or not engaged in conversation, he appeared sedate and thoughtful;
but when his attention was excited, his eye kindled quickly, and his face
beamed with animation and intelligence.
He was not fluent in speech, but what he said was apposite, and listened
to with the more interest as being known to come from the heart. He seldom
attempted sallies of wit or humor, but no man received more pleasure from
an exhibition of them by others; and, although contented in seclusion, he
sought his chief happiness in society, and participated with delight in
all its rational and innocent amusements. Without austerity on the one
hand, or an appearance of condescending familiarity on the other, he was
affable, courteous, and cheerful; but it has often been remarked that
there was a dignity in his person and manner not easy to be defined, which
impressed everyone that saw him for the first time with an instinctive
deference and awe. This may have arisen, in part, from a conviction of his
superiority, as well as from the effect produced by his external form and
deportment.
The character of his mind was unfolded in the public and private acts of
his life; and the proofs of his greatness are seen almost as much in the
one as the other. The same qualities which raised him to the ascendency he
possessed over the will of a nation, as the commander of armies and chief
magistrate, caused him to be loved and respected as an individual. Wisdom,
judgment, prudence, and firmness were his predominant traits. No man ever
saw more clearly the relative importance of things and actions, or
divested himself more entirely of the bias of personal interest,
partiality, and prejudice, in discriminating between the true and the
false, the right and the wrong, in all questions and subjects that were
presented to him. He deliberated slowly, but decided surely; and when his
decision was once formed he seldom reversed it, and never relaxed from the
execution of a measure till it was completed. Courage, physical and moral,
was a part of his nature; and, whether in battle, or in the midst of
popular excitement, he was fearless of danger, and regardless of
consequences to himself.
His ambition was of that noble kind which aims to excel in whatever it
undertakes, and to acquire a power over the hearts of men by promoting
their happiness and winning their affections. Sensitive to the approbation
of others, and solicitous to deserve it, he made no concessions to gain
their applause, either by flattering their vanity or yielding to their
caprices. Cautious without timidity, bold without rashness, cool in
counsel, deliberate but firm in action, clear in foresight, patient under
reverses, steady, persevering, and self-possessed, he met and conquered
every obstacle that obstructed his path to honor, renown and success. More
confident in the uprightness of his intention than in his resources, he
sought knowledge and advice from other men. He chose his counselors with
unerring sagacity; and his quick perception of the soundness of an
opinion, and of the strong points in an argument, enabled him to draw to
his aid the best fruits of their talents, and the light of their collected
wisdom.
His moral qualities were in perfect harmony with those of his intellect.
Duty was the ruling principle of his conduct; and the rare endowments of
his understanding were not more constantly tasked to devise the best
methods of effecting an object, than they were to guard the sanctity of
conscience. No instance can be adduced in which he was actuated by a
sinister motive or endeavored to attain an end by unworthy means. Truth,
integrity, and justice were deeply rooted in his mind; and nothing could
rouse his indignation so soon, or so utterly destroy his confidence, as
the discovery of the want of these virtues in anyone whom he had trusted.
Weaknesses, follies, indiscretions be could forgive; but subterfuge and
dishonesty he never forgot, rarely pardoned.
He was candid and sincere, true to his friends, and faithful to all;
neither practicing dissimulation, descending to artifice, nor holding out
expectations which he did not intend should be realized. His passions were
strong, and sometimes they broke out with vehemence: but he had the power
of checking them in an instant. Perhaps self-control was the most
remarkable trait of his character. It was, in part, the effect of
discipline; yet he seems by nature to have possessed this power in a
degree which has been denied to other men.
A Christian in faith and practice, he was habitually devout. His reverence
for religion is seen in his example, his public communications, and his
private writings. He uniformly ascribed his successes to the beneficent
agency of the Supreme Being. Charitable and humane, he was liberal to the
poor, and kind to those in distress. As a husband, son, and brother, he
was tender and affectionate. Without vanity, ostentation, or pride, he
never spoke of himself or his actions unless required by circumstances
which concerned the public interests.
As he was free from envy, so he had the good fortune to escape the envy of
others by standing on an elevation which none could hope to attain. If he
had one passion more strong than another it was love of his country. The
purity and ardor of his patriotism were commensurate with the greatness of
its object. Love of country in him was invested with the sacred obligation
of a duty; and from the faithful discharge of this duty he never swerved
for a moment, either in thought or deed, through the whole period of his
eventful career.
Such are some of the traits in the character of Washington, which have
acquired for him the love and veneration of mankind. If they are not
marked with the brilliancy, extravagance, and eccentricity, which, in
other men, have excited the astonishment of the world, so neither are they
tarnished by the follies, nor disgraced by the crimes of those men. It is
the happy combination of rare talents and qualities, the harmonious union
of the intellectual and moral powers, rather than the dazzling splendor of
any one trait, which constitute the grandeur of his character. If the
title of great man ought to be reserved for him who can not be charged
with an indiscretion or a vice; who spent his life in establishing the
independence, the glory, and durable prosperity of his country; who
succeeded in all that he undertook; and whose successes were never won at
the expense of honor, justice, integrity, or by the sacrifice of a single
principle,--this title will not be denied to Washington.
How sweetly on the ear such echoes sound!
While the mere victors may appall or stun
The servile and the vain, such names will be
A watchword till the future shall be free.
--Byron.