American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-08-14
From the London Magazine for June.
Sir Jonah Barrington's Personal Sketches OF his
own Times.

A romantic spirit seemed 10 vi ,'le c"uh''
On the eve of great commissions. the atmosphere
becomes rarefed as it we're personal sacrhc =,
more common, and wild tenets more practically
supported. An admirable specimen of Qu,xotiism
is given in the person Of the celebrated Mr.. HAM
ilton Rowan a young woman, Mary Neil, had
been treated with violence by some unknown per-
son; her cause was warmly taken up by some, and
by others her yeracity was suspected. Mr. no"-
an. a gentleman of rank and fortune, telt SO deep
" interested in her reputation, that he vowed ven
geance against all her calunniators. One OF the
steps which he tuck to this end, IS eSeeedinssrwe
described in The following history OF visit ne
paid to society Of young barrstcrs, Of which Sir
Jonah was member.
At this time about twenty young barristers.
Including myself, had formed dinner club in
Dublin we had taken large apartments Tor the
purpose and as we were not yet troubled with
too much business, were in the habit OF farin1 lux
urously every day, and taking bottle If the best
cIarct which could be obtained
There never existed more cheerful, nor half
50 cheap dinner club. One day, whilst dining
with our usual harlty, the servant informed us
that gentleman below stairs desired to be admit
ted for moment. We considered it to be
some brother barister who requested permis
sion to Join our party. and desired him to be shown
up. What was our surpsise, however, on percev-
ing the figure that presented itself "a man, VINO
might have served as model for Hercules. his
gigantic limbs conveying the idea Of almost super
natural strength his shoulders, arms. and broad
chest, were the very emblcms OF muscular energy ;
and his Hat, rough countenance Wershadowed by
enormous dark c, ebrows. and deeply ulrowed by
strong lines Of vigor and fortitu'le, completed
Of the finest, vet most formidable figures had
ever beheid. lie was very well dressed: close by
bis side stalked in shaggy Newfoundland dog OF
h,;. g.,
and who, if he should be voraciously inclined.
seemed well able to devour barilster or two
without over charging his stomach AS he enter
ed, indeed, he alternately looked at Us. and then
up at his master, as if only awaiting the orders of
the latter to commence the onslaught His mas
ter held in his hand large yellow, knotted club.
slung BY leathern thong round his great wrist
he had also long small s~odby bis side.
This appaiition walked deliberately up to the
table and having made his obedience with seem
ing courtesy, a short pause ensred, Outing winch
he looked round on all the company with an aspect,
if not stern, yet ilcalcu!ated to set our minds al
ease either as to his or his dog Interior intentions
"Gentlemen Z at length he said, in a tone and
with an air at once SC mild ard courteous nav, 50
polished, as fairly to give the lie. it were, to hi,
gigantic and threatening figure: Gentlemen,
have heard with very great regret that some mem
bers ot this club have been iudiscieet rs to ca
illuminate the character + Mary Neil. which. from
tn part have taken, feel identified with my
own if any present hath done so, | doubt not he
viii now have the candor and courage TO ayow il.
-Wh9 ayo@s il i The dog looked up at him again
he returned the glance; but contented himself for
the present, with pattins the animals head, and
was silent: so were We
" The extreme surprise indeed with which our
party was seized, bordering almost on consterna-
ton, render ed all consultation Us to reply out OF
the question: and never did | see the old axiom
that what i, every body 5 business Is nobody bus,
mess more thoroughly exemplified. A few Of the
company whispered each his neishbGr, and per-
celyed one or TWO steal fruit knife under the Ia
be-cuth, IN case OF extrenitics; but no one made
any reply. We were eighteen in number; aud as
neither would nor could answer Tor the others. it
would require eighteen replies to satisfy The yiant's
single query; and fancy some Of Is coaid not
have replied to his satisfaction, and stuck 10 HE
truth into The bargain.
!" lie repeated his demand (eicvatns lis tone
each tme) thrice Does any gentleman a,owi it,
A faint buzz now circulated rpaad TIE room but
there was n" ansCfr whatsoever. Cnnuuaicaiion
was cut OIL, and therc was a dead silence: at
length our visitor said, with lo9A voice, that he
must suppose, it any .entle~aa had ,aadc any %
servations Or assertions against Mary Neil's cAar-
acter, nc woaid have the courage and spirit to
avow Il therefore, continued! Tie, Shall take Il
Tor granted that my Information WIS erroneous
and, N that polat 81 view, regret having alarm
ed your society And, without another word, he
bowed three times very iow and .ciic ed bacl wards
toward the door. (h!s deg also backing out viii,
equal politeness) where, with saiaatn douby GER
e'nonioas, Mr.. Rowan ended this extraordinary IN
terv'ew. On The first u lis departing baws, by
simultaneous impulse, all rose and returned Ills
salute, almost touching the table wild. our noses,
bnt still IN profound silencc; which booins on both
sides was repeated, as have said, till he was fairly
out OF the room. Three ioar OF the company
then ran hastily to the window, 10 be sue That HI,
an" tue dog we're clear oft into the street; and no
sooner had this satlsiactary denonlnett hpcn