here in Virginia. The Convention meets at Richmond (June 2, 1788,) and holds able men: Madison and Munroe (afterwards Presidents,) Marshall,(afterwards Chief Justice,) and others at this time held to be fully their equals. Mr. Henry does not like this Federal Constitution: it is not a confederation of different States, but a consolidation it is not a grouping-together of Independent States for general specific purposes; it is a welding-together of States into one too solid mass. Such is his main objection, and the details are only a spreading-out of this: quite necessary such spreading-out there and then; quite useless here and now; which therefore we omit. In this Virginia Convention, however, the greater part are against Mr. Henry, and his objections (right or wrong) are overruled. The question of ratification is carried by a majority of ten, and the proposed amendments of the minority are forwarded to Congress with the ratification. In the very next session of the State Assembly, however, resolutions, offered and advocated by Mr. Henry, requesting the Congress of the United States to call a Convention to amend this Federal Constitution, are carried by a majority of more than two to one. This Federal Constitution is in Virginia, and elsewhere, accepted not because it is as good as it should be, but rather because it is better than none; and something of this kind we must have. Patrick Henry continues in this State Assembly till 1791, and then declines a re-election. The law business still holds good, and he is counsel for defendants in the case of the British debts. When he argues this case in 1791, and again in 1793, people from all parts gather to hear him; members of the Assembly desert their seats, leave the speaker without a quorum and throng the Court-house. The report of this case, and the speeches may be read in some fifty

pages of Wirt's book by those who will; not again by me except from a sense of duty. This idle man will now work no more; at any rate not in this law business. He is (1794) fifty-eight years old; is free from debt, and has money enough. In summer evenings he may be seen sitting under a large Walnut tree before his own door, surrounded by his family and neighbors. Here he talks to willing listeners, and listens to willing talkers; and is, we may believe quite happy. In 1796, he is elected Governor once more: but declines the office: he will not come into public life again: he chooses rather to sit there under the old Walnut Tree. Political parties, however, still consider him a prize worth contending for: the first administration offers him the Embassy to Spain, and the second that to France; but he says, no: he will stay at home; where visitors sometimes find him lying on the floor, his children tumbling over him, or dancing around him to the music of his violin, full of glee : a noisy party, frolicksome and happy. About this time Rumor says that he has changed sides in politics and is now a Federalist busy-bodies catch up his words and report them abroad. He, however, denies that he has changed sides. The truth seems to be that this man does not bind himself to an expressed opinion as to an immutable thing from which he can never free himself. He is a Free man ; and therefore not what is called a consistent man, bound down to a well beaten track: he is a Free man; free from passion and prejudice, and approves or condemns according to his honest conviction. He is a bold man, too, and speaks out: therefore he shall be wronged, as in this World all such men are for a time. The light of this man's Life is now waning; but shall flash out briefly once again, and then his Night of Death shall come. clash of contending parties reaches him in his peaceful

.

The

dwelling the fierce contest of Democrat and Federalist startles him from repose, and he will rise and rebuke those who would (as he believes) overturn this now established government. For this purpose he offers himself as a candidate for the House of Delegates, and, as is the fashion here in Virginia, he addresses the Electors at the polls; and can still speak manlike. “Where,” he asks, “ is the Citizen of America who dares lift his hand against the Father of his Country?'" A drunken man in the crowd throws up his hand and says, "I dare do it." "No you dare not do it in such parricidal attempt, the steel would drop from your nerveless grasp."— Again, he says: "if I am asked what is to be done when a people feel themselves intolerably oppressed? my answer is ready: overturn the government." But such a time of intolerable oppression he thinks the present is not. He is elected, spite of all opposition, by a commanding majority: but in this House of Delegates he shall not speak : never again in any house of Earth. On the 6th day of June, 1799, he dies. This Voice is dumb.

That this man had faults is probable enough, that little men, envious of his fame, exaggerated them is certain. He was a frank, fearless Man speaking out what he felt to be True. Such men always fare worst at first, best at last, and Patrick Henry needs no labored eulogium. The curious inquirer would fain know the secret of this Man's power. As shewn by Rhetorician Wirt, it is a wonderful something; one can hardly see what. Where did he get this power over his fellow-men? It was, say many, the Gift of God. Be it so the answer is a good one for those who find meaning in it. But be it noted here that Patrick Henry was not built up on this system, nor on that other; not on any system: he grew up, and so the Gift of God unfolded itself.

CHAPTER XI.

FOURTH OF JULY.

SOON after my arrival at Pebblebrook I heard much talk of arrangements for the celebration of the anniversary of our National Independence, and learned, with astonishment, that Uncle John had been appointed orator of the day. It happened in this way. At the town-meeting, after much talking and many ballotings, it appeared that no choice could be made; the minister and lawyer having each a large party, some scattering votes defeated the election. At last, the lawyer, who represented the town in the state government, rose and addressed the meeting. After professions of his love for his country; of his desire to serve his fellow-men, and some deprecatory remarks about his own ability, he concluded by saying he no longer desired to be considered a candidate for the oratorship. His fellow-townsmen (he said) had considered him unworthy to address them on the national holiday; he should hereafter decline all public offices, and, in private life, content himself with the consciousness of having performed his duty. There was then another balloting, and, to the surprise of all present, Uncle John, who had had some eight or ten of the scattering votes, was declared elected. It was proposed to appoint a commit

tee to notify him of his election: but he, being present, rose and said, there was no need of that formality: he had heard, and he would answer on the spot. He had (he continued) lived long among them, he had talked to them all individually, and he was quite willing to speak to them collectively; he would be the orator of the day. There was an almost universal clapping of hands; for, though they had not heretofore thought of him as an orator, the greater part loved him as a man.

The committee of arrangements, appointed at the same meeting, were busy and careful about many things, and when the day drew near a programma of the procession appeared. At the head of the programma stood the escort of militia; the Selectmen had the next rank, and the Town Clerk and Town Treasurer followed; then the Clergy had place, followed by the Regimental Officers and a Standard Bearer. The Orator of the Day preceded the Distinguished Strangers, and the Committee of Arrangements. The Common Towns-people brought up the rear. There were some half-dozen Marshals on the flanks, a Chief Marshal in front, and the whole thing, on paper, had a fair appearance.

What place," said I one day at dinner, shall I get in the procession?"

"what place

Why, cousin Frank," said Harriet, "you'll be one of the distinguished strangers: I heard so to-day."

"Yes," said my Uncle, "the committee are fearful of a want in that department; for though they have sent invi tations to Natook, and other towns, no answers have yet come to hand. Frank, you shall, once in your life, be distinguished I hope you will bear the honor meekly.” I replied, "I shall do my best to fill the place assigned I need only put on my best dress, bear myself erect,

me.