At Washington's head-quarters in Peekskill he composed "An Address to the Armies of the United States." It was recited publicly in London, and translated by Chastellux into French prose. Three years later he published a poem on the "Happiness of America," which ran through ten editions. In it the gallant man-at-rhymes tells the story of his own campaigns:-- "From whom I learnt the martial art; With what high chiefs I played my early part: With Parsons first, whose eye with piercing ken Reads through their hearts the characters of men. Then how I aided in the following scene Death-daring Putnam, then immortal Greene. Then how great Washington my youth approved, In rank preferred and as a parent loved; (For each fine feeling in his bosom blends,-- The first of heroes, sages, patriots, friends!) With him what hours on warlike plans I spent Beneath the shadow of th' imperial tent; With him how oft I went the nightly round Through moving hosts, or slept on tented ground; From him how oft (nor far below the first In high behests and confidential trust,)-- From him how oft I bore the dread commands Which destined for the fight the eager bands; With him how oft I passed th' eventful day, Rode by his side as down the long array His awful voice the columns taught to form, To point the thunders and to pour the storm." This extract will give a fair idea of the Colonel's manner. A poem on "The Future Glory of the United States of America," another on "The Industry of the United States of America," and "The Death of General Washington," make up his credentials to a seat on the American Parnassus. Joel Barlow, "Virgilian Barlow," is the most remarkable of the cluster. He started in the race of life with ten competitors of his own blood, and came in a successful adventurer in both hemispheres. After serving in the army with musket and prayer-book, he practised law, edited a newspaper, kept a book-shop,--and having exhausted the variety of callings offered by Connecticut, went to France as agent for the Scioto Land Company, and opened an office in Paris with a grand flourish of advertisements. "Farms for sale on the banks of the Ohio, _la belle rivière_; the finest district of the United States! Healthful and delightful climate; scarcely any frost in winter; fertile soil; a boundless inland navigation; magnificent forests of a tree from which sugar flows; excellent fishing and fowling; venison in abundance; no wolves, lions, or tigers; no taxes; no military duty. All these unexampled advantages offered to colonists at five shillings the acre!" The speculation took well. Nothing was talked of but the free and rural life to be led on the banks of the Scioto. Brissot's foolish book on America confirmed the promises of Barlow, and stimulated the ardor of purchasers.