The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

IET 57.] LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 443
advanced to the house prepared for the reception of the
President. The day was passed in festivity and joy,
and in the evening the city was brilliantly illuminated.
The first public act of the President was that of
taking the oath of office. It was decided by Congress, that this should be done with some ceremony.
In the morning of the day appointed, April 30th, at
nine o'clock, religious services suited to the occasion
were performed in all the churches of the city. At
twelve the troops paraded before the President's door,
and soon afterwards came the committees of Congress
and the heads of departments in carriages, to attend
him to the Federal Hall, where the two houses of
Congress were assembled. The procession moved forward with the troops in front, next the committees and
heads of departments, then the President in a coach
alone, followed by the foreign ministers, civil officers
of the State, and citizens. Arrived at the Hall, he
ascended to the senate-chamber, and passed thence
to a balcony in front- of the house, where the oath
was administered to him in presence of the people by
Chancellor Livingston. The President returned to the
senate-chamber, in the midst of loud acclamations from
the surrounding throng of spectators, and delivered to
the two branches of Congress his Inaugural Speech.
He then went on foot to St. Paul's Church, where
prayers were read by the bishop, and the ceremonies
were closed.'To.kens of joy were everywhere exhibited,
as on the day of his arrival, and at night there was,a display of illuminations and fireworks,
Under auspices thus favorable, Washington entered
again upon the career of public life, surrounded and
sustained by the eminent leaders, who had acted with
him in establishing the liberties of his country, and
cheered with the conviction of having received the