The Wilmingtonian., 1824-01-29
Patrick HenTy and Biliy Coacan.

patriot, Patrick Henry, was distinguished,
was illustrated in the most happy manner
on trial which took place in the district
court of New London, Virginia, soon alter
the war of independence. During the dis
tress of the continental army. consequent
on the plunderings, burnings and devasta-
tions of CORVALLIS, Phillips, and their
worthy compeer and brother general, the
traitor Arnold, in 1871, Mr.. Venable, a
commissary of the army, took for the use
of the troops, two steers from MIR. Hook,
a wealthy Scotchman, who was suspected
Of being tory. The act had not been
strictly legal, and on the establishment Of
peace, Hook, under the advice Of Cowan,
a lawyer of some distinction, brought an
action of trespass against Mr.. Venabe.
Mr.. Henry appeared for the defendant,
and conducted the cause in manner
highly gratifying to his hearers, the un-
lucky Hook always excepted. After he
became animated in the cause, he had the
most complete controul over the passions
of his audience /; at one time he would ex-
cite their Indignation, and then vengeance
was visible in every countcuance against
Hook again, when he chose TO relax and
ridicule him, the whole audience was in a
roar of laughter. He painted the Amer-
can army, exposed almost naked to the RI
gour of winters sky, and marking the
frozen ground over which they marched
with the blood of their unshod feet; "Nbere
is the man." he exclaimed, "who bad an
American heart in his bosom, who would
not have thrown open his fields, his barns,
his cellars, to have received with open
arms the meanest soldier in that little
band of famished patriots: where is the
man there lie stands; hut whether an Am
erican heart beats in his bosom, you, gen
tIemen are the Judge" He then carriet
the Jury, by the magic of his Imagination
to the plains around York, the surrender
of which, together with the capture o
CORVALLIS, followed shortly after the ac
complained Of. lie depicted the surren
der in the most brilliant colours of his IN
rivalled eloquence; the audience saw be
fore their eyes the humiliation and dciec
tion of the British. as they marched out o
their trenches they saw the triumph tina
lighted up the face Of every patriot; they
heard the sounds of victory, the cry o
Washington and liberty, as it rung anc
echoed through the American ranks, an,
was reverberated from the hills and shore
of the neighbouring river; "but hark !!
continued Henry, "what notes of dscor,
are those which disturb the general jc,
and silence the accamation of victory
they are the notes of John Hook, hoarsel
bawlng through the American camp. jeet
beef! beef"
The court was convulsed with laughter
when Hook turning to the clerk, said, "ne
yer mind you mon wait till Billy Cora
gets up, and he'll show him the la Bu
Mr.. Cowan was so completely overwheln
ed by the torrent which bore upon his eli
ent, that when he rose to reply to MI
Henry, he was scarcely able to make a
intellgible or audible remark. The cans
was decided almost by acclamation. 1h
Jury retired for form sake, and Instant
returned with a verdict for the defendan
ON LOVE AND MARRIAGE.
There is but one sort of love, but, lik
genuine coin, there are thousand coul
terfeits of it. True love is founded on c
TEEN, as il requires something more tha
personal beauty to make it permanent
Beauty ofperson is like an annual Go,
er; but beauty Of the mind, like pere
ial one, lasts for more than season.
Too great disparity of years is unn
turaI in wedlock; if man be double t
are Of woman, old age overtakes b
too soon--eight or ten years may be {
cused on the mans side-the half Of it
the woman's is intolerable.
A sensible man seldom or never use
woman i'll, unless she throws aside
prudence, because he takes reason as
guide. The most sensible men are so'
times awkward in courtshp but sh
most in the married state; they desp
affecta ton, and had rather censure Il
Hatter. In short courtship, we can fo
no Judgment of either the affection or I
rit Of person, length of time must evil
both. Remember, hut do not try the
proverb. marry in haste, but repent at
sure. The most unhappy marriages
the monied ones, and parents often ren
their own and their chil,lren's lives m
rable, by pursuading them to marry
convenience instead of love. Since