ed since the parents of Alida had taken up
their residence in the city for the winter, when the news of peace
reached New-York. The cries of peace resounded throughout the city at
these joyful tidings,--and the evening of this day was celebrated by a
splendid illumination. Transparencies, emblematical of the liberties of
the country, were exhibited at all the public edifices. The fine and
melodious music in the Park, drew the people together in crowds within
the inclosure, till scarcely another could enter,--and although the snow
had fallen profusely, and the walking was extremely bad, yet it seemed
as if all the inhabitants, generally, were out, parading on foot, to
witness the general rejoicing.

In the mean time, a visible change for the better took place almost
immediately, and these happy effects shed their benign influence
throughout all ranks of society, and among all classes of the people.
Those who had been in despair on account of the times, had now the
charming prospect before them of returning happiness and prosperity,
when the active scenes of life would again impel the multitude to the
exercise of laudable industry, whereby they might ultimately realize the
success and proceeds attending on an honest perseverance in business.

The country that had been unwillingly drawn into combat had been
victorious, and its inhabitants left in peaceful possession of the
warrior's field. An honourable peace had been concluded, and happy
tranquillity was once more the fate of the American nation.

The miseries and unhappy grievances occasioned by war, were again at an
end, and happily terminated. The cheering consequences of peace again
communicated their happy effects among the people, awakening to their
imagination new hopes and prospects, filling their minds with
exultation, and anticipations the most sanguine.

The painful, unpleasant effects of discord, animosity, and contention,
were now changed to the exercise of those better qualities and
dispositions, more pacific and praiseworthy. The scenes of fury, terror,
and confusion, were succeeded by those of placid serenity. The hours but
a short time before spent in moping melancholy and sadness, in
individual discouragement and wo, were now passed in listening to
musical serenades, in scenes of mirth and festivity. The people whose
independence had been gloriously won, nearly half a century before, by
the superior prowess of a renowned hero,* who, as a general, mars