daring, he creates happy emotions in others, and foretokens fame for himself.

The era in our history, now under consideration, was exceedingly favorable for the cultivation of the most exalted order of eloquence. It was a period when the public mind was strongly agitated by the popular discussion of interests, the most comprehensive and enduring.

The war of 1776 was the Trojan war of America; it diffused one impulse over our whole domain, united the Colonies in one spirit of resistance against oppression, and bound them together in one national bond. Moreover, it had the effect of the Persian war, when Miltiades led the flower of Greece to Marathon, and a young, but vigorous, nation could successfully compete with superior numbers and veteran skill. The different sections of the country vied with each other in generous competition for precedence in facing a common foe, feeling that stern conflicts and a glorious triumph were necessary to give them all a consciousness of their real strength.

The period of our Colonial and Revolutionary history was, in fact, an era of great superiority in eloquence, at home and abroad. England then presented an array of orators such as she has known at no other time. In Westminster Hall, the accomplished Mansfield was constantly heard in support of kingly power, while the philosophic and argumentative Camden exercised his mighty intellect in defence of popular rights. Burke had awoke with all his wealth of fancy, daring imagination and comprehensive learning. Fox had entered the

arena of forensic and senatorial gladiatorship, with his great, glowing heart, and titanic passions, all kindled into volcanic heat. Junius, by his sarcasm and audacity, stung the loftiest circles into desperation. Erskine embellished the darkened heavens by the rainbow tints of his genius; and Chatham, worthily succeeded by his "cloud-compelling" son, ruled the billowy sea of excited mind with the majesty of a god.

Against all that is powerful in mental energy and martial force, our fathers had to give battle under the most fearful odds. The chivalrous antagonists came into open field; empires were at stake, and the struggle was worthy of the prize, as the result was glorious to those whom we delight to commemorate.

Eloquence in America then was a system of the most invigorating mental gymnastics. The popular orators hurled accusations and arguments into the bosom of the populace, and aroused universal rebellion against regal wrongs. Prominent among the mightiest of the "rebels," stood the subject of this sketch.

The ancients set up statues of renowned citizens in the most public resorts, to keep passing generations in remembrance of the worthies whose patriotism and piety they ought to emulate. Sometimes filial love would prompt admiring disciples to bring garlands, not with the vain hope of adding to the intrinsic worth, or external elegance, of the venerated form, but simply to wreathe round its brow a token of fond regard. In the present instance, our ambition "hath this extent, no more." We do not herein expect to elicit any new facts in the life of Patrick Henry, but shall attempt only

to group, as comprehensively as possible, some of our views respecting the source and characteristics of his eloquence. The circumstances relating to his parentage, birth, and early history, have been carefully compiled by his biographer, Wirt, and are freely copied in the historical portion of the following sketch :

Patrick Henry, the second son of John and Sarah Henry, and one of nine children, was born on the 29th of May, 1736, at the family seat, called Studley, in the county of Hanover, and colony of Virginia. In his early childhood his parents removed to another seat in the same county, then called Mount Brilliant, now the Retreat; at which latter place, Patrick Henry was "raised" and educated. His parents, though not rich, were in easy circumstances; and, in point of personal character, were among the most respectable inhabitants of the colony.

His father, Col. John Henry, was a native of Aberdeen, in Scotland. He was, it is said, a first cousin to David Henry, who was the brother-in-law and successor of Edward Cave in the publication of that celebrated work, the Gentleman's Magazine, and himself the author of several literary tracts: John Henry is also said to have been a nephew, in the maternal line, to the great historian, Dr. William Robertson. He came over to Virginia, in quest of fortune, some time prior to the year 1730, and the tradition is that he enjoyed the friendship of Mr. Dinwiddie, afterward the governor of the colony. By this gentleman, it is reported, that he was introduced to the elder Col. Syme, of Hanover, in whose family, it is certain, that he became domesticated during the life