And where is the band who so vauntingly swore,
Mid the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country they'd leave us no more?
Their blood hath wash'd out their foul footsteps'
pollution;

No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's deso-
lation;

Bless'd with victory and peace, may the heavenrescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved

us a nation.

Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, And this be our motto, "In GoD is our trust," And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

JOSEPH HOPKINSON.*

HAIL, COLUMBIA.

HAIL, Columbia! happy land!
Hail, ye heroes! heaven-born band!

Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause,
Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause,
And when the storm of war was gone,
Enjoy'd the peace your valour won.
Let independence be our boast,
Ever mindful what it cost;
Ever grateful for the prize,
Let its altar reach the skies.
Firm-united-let us be,
Rallying round our Liberty;
As a band of brothers join'd,
Peace and safety we shall find.

With the popular national songs, "The Star-spangled Banner" and "Hail, Columbia," I bring to a close this volume of specimens of American poetry. These lyrics have not much poetic merit, but they are as well known throughout the United States as the Rhine Song is in Germany, or the Marseilles Hymn in France. The late excellent Judge HOPKINSON,† a few months before his death, addressed to me a letter from which I quote the following account of the circumstances attending the composition of "Hail, Columbia:"

"It was written in the summer of 1798, when war with France was thought to be inevitable. Congress was then in session in Philadelphia,deliberating upon that important subject, and acts of hostility had actually taken place. The contest between England and France was raging, and the people of the United States were divided into parties for the one side or the other, some thinking that policy and duty required us to espouse the cause of republican France, as she was called; while others were for connecting ourselves with England, under the belief that she was the great preservative power of good principles and safe government. The violation of our rights by both belligerents was forcing us from the just and wise policy of President WASHINGTON, which was to do equal justice

↑ The Honourable Joseph Hopkinson, LL. D. Vice-President of the Ame rican Philosophical Society, and President of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, etc., died in Philadelphia on the fifteenth of January, 1842, in the seventy-second year of his age. He was a son of Francis Hopkinson, one of the most distinguished patriots of the Revolution.

Immortal patriots! rise once more;
Defend your rights, defend your shore;
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Let no rude foe, with impious hand,
Invade the shrine where sacred lies
Of toil and blood the well-earn'd prize.
While offering peace sincere and just,
In Heaven we place a manly trust,
That truth and justice will prevail,
And every scheme of bondage fail.
Firm-united, &c.

Sound, sound the trump of Fame!
Let WASHINGTON'S great name

Ring through the world with loud applause,
Ring through the world with loud applause:
Let every clime to Freedom dear
Listen with a joyful ear.

With equal skill, and godlike power,
He governs in the fearful hour
Of horrid war; or guides, with ease,
The happier times of honest peace.
Firm-united, &c.

Behold the chief who now commands,
Once more to serve his country, stands-
The rock on which the storm will beat,
The rock on which the storm will beat:
But, arm'd in virtue firm and true,
His hopes are fix'd on Heaven and you.
When Hope was sinking in dismay,
And glooms obscured Columbia's day,
His steady mind, from changes free,
Resolved on death or liberty.

Firm-united, &c.

to both, to take part with neither, but to preserve a strict and honest neutrality between them. The prospect of a rupture with France was exceedingly offensive to the por tion of the people who espoused her cause, and the violence of the spirit of party has never risen higher, I think not so high, in our country, as it did at that time, upon that question. The theatre was then open in our city. A young man belonging to it, whose talent was as a singer, was about to take his benefit. I had known him when he was at school. On this acquaintance, he called on me one Saturday afternoon, his benefit being announced for the following Monday. His prospects were very disheartening; but he said that if he could get a patriotic song adapted to the tune of the "President's March," he did not doubt of a full house; that the poets of the theatrical corps had been trying to accomplish it, but had not suc ceeded. I told him I would try what I could do for him. He came the next afternoon; and the song, such as it is, was ready for him. The object of the author was to get up an American spirit, which should be independent of, and above the interests, passions, and policy of both belligerents: and look and feel exclusively for our own honour and rights. No allusion is made to France or England, or the quarrel between them: or to the question, which was most in fault in their treatment of us: of course the song found favour with both parties, for both were Americans; at least neither could disavow the sentiments and feelings it inculcated. Such is the history of this song, which has endured infinitely beyond the expectation of the author, as it is beyond any merit it can boast of, except that of being truly and exclusively patriotic in its sentiments and spirit.

"Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, "Jos. HOPKINSON. "Rev. RUFUS W. GRISWOLD."

Stereotyped by L. Johnson, Philadelphia.

Printed by C. Sherman.