The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-10-10
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From Barriagton's Sketches.

Cor. BURR AND Mr.. GRATTAN. Col.
Burr, who had been vice president of
America, and probably would have been
the next president, but for his unfortunate
duel with Gen. Hamilton, came over to
England, aud was made known to me by
Mr.. Randolph; of South Carolina, with
whom was very intimately He requested
would introduce him to Mr.. Grattan,
whom he was excessively anxious to see.
Col. Burr was not a man of very prepos-
sessing appearanee,-rough featured and
neither dressy nor polished but well
Informed, sensible man, and though not
particularly agreeable,-yet an instruct
i've companion.
"PeoFie in general form extravagant
anticipations regarding eminent persons.
The idea Of great orator and Irish chief
carried with it, naturally enough, cores
ponding notions of physical elegance,
vigor and dignity. Such was Go,0lei
Burr's mistake, | believe, about Mr.. Graf
him.
eve went to my friends house, who
waste leave London next day. announc-
ed that Col. Burr, from America,) Mr..
Randolph and myself, wished to pay our
respects, and the servant informed us that
his master would receive us in short time,
but was at the moment much occupied on
business Of consequence. Burr's eXpecta-
J tons were all on the alert Randolph also
! was anxious to be presented to the great
Grattan, and both impatient for the en-
trance of this Demosthenes. At length
the door opened, and in hoped small
| bent figure, -meagre, yellow, and ordi-
J Ill -.
breecbes' knees lose his cravat hanging
down; his shirt and coat sleeves tucked
up high, and an old hat upon his head.
" This apparition saluted the strangers
very courteously asked without any in
troduction) how long they had been in
England, and immediately proceeded to
make inquiries about the late General
Washington and the revolutionary war.
My companions looked at each other:-
their replies were costive, and they seemed
quite impatient to see Mr.. Grattan.
could scarcely contain myself; but deter
mined to let my eXcentric countryman take
his course who appeared quite. delighted
to see his visiters, and was the most inquis-
tive person III the world. Randolph was
far the tallest, and most dignified looking
man of the two, gray haired and well
dressed; Grattan therefore, of course, took
him for the vice president, and addressed
him accordingly. Randolph at length beg
ged to know if they could shortly have the
honor of seeing Mr.. Grattan. Upon
which, our host mot doubling but they
| knew him. conceived It must be his son
James for whom they inquired, and said he
believed he had that moment wandered out
somewhere to amuse himself
"This completely disconnected the Amer
leans, and they were about to make their
bow and their exit, when | thought it high
time to explain; and taking Col. Burr and
Mr.. Randolph respecti, ely by the hand,
introduced them to the Right Honorable
Henry Grattan,
'' l never saw people stare so, or so
much embarrassed! Grattan himself now
lperceiving the cause, heartily joined in my
merriment ;-he pulled down his shirt
sleeves, pulled up his stockings; and in his
own irresistible way, apologized for the
outre figure he cut, assuring them he had
totally overlooked it, in his anxiety not to
keep them waiting that he was returning
to Ireland next morning, and had been bus
! lily packing up his books and papers in q
closet full of dust and cobwebs This in
cident rendered the interview more inter-
esting the Americans were charmed with
their reception; and after protracted vis-
it, retired highly gratifed, whilst Grattan
returned again to his books and cobwebs."
SINGULAR AND PLURAL. A young
Prince being on a journey, said to his pre-
ceptor, I" give me my mantle. The gem
tlenan answered, "My Lord, great prin-
ces, speaking ofthemselves, always use the
plural number; you should, therefore have
said, give us our mantle" The Prince did
not fail to remember his lesson, aud said
shortly after, our teeth ache y" mine, ! am
sure, said his preceptor, with a smile, "dc
not ache in the least my Lord" "Then,
answered the Prince, rather veXed, 81
plainly see the mantle must be ours, but
the tooth ache mine alone"
Cards now are not much restored to but by
the old, the stupid, duh and disagreeable. II
is astonishing that rational creatures, with the