, 1842-02-12
1 am made to revel yet in the Halls
Of the MOnteZumas.

ing up pennsylvania Avenue, IN the CITY Of
Washington. he accosted an old friend from
the West whom he had not seen for manv
years. After mutual expressions of surprise
and salutation, these two singular men walk.
ed arm-in-arm to Browns Hotel, where both
had taken lodgings. In the whole country
perhaps there could not be found two others
more passionate!y fond of excitement, more
remarkable in their habits, or more noted for
their ecceltricities. Retiring to a private
room, they sat down to recount the story oil
,.leir past lives, and as they industriously cir
culated the bottle many a loud shout echoed
through that hall, and startled the watchmen
in the street as they went their silent rounds.
As the night wore on their excitement in.
creased, until at the close of a thrilling story
relating to his strange career, his compan.
ion exclaimed y
"Now, Booth, let's have n speech to liber.
ty-one of those apostrophes TO Old Roman
freedom with which you startle audiences!'
Had Booth been inclined to refuse, he knew
that his friend. when the mood was on him.
would not he denied any request, however
absurd or difficult of performance. But the
tragedian had himself entered into the spirit
of his companion. and. nothing 10th. he re-
hearsed with magic power many of those
electric passages in defence of liberty with
which the English drama abounds. His
friend, whose memory as well as habits par
took of the Indian character, caught up the
words, and with equal force, clearness and
accuracy. went through each speech IN rcgu-
lar succession. Thus they proceeded for a
time. and then again sat down upon the floor
of that chamber to renew their potatiOns
and the story of their personal adventures.
Booth drank and listened. whilst the other
told of his own elevation in his native State.
Of his disgust at civic honors, of his home
in the distant forest, of the uncontrolled
freedom of the red.men, of their stole forti-
tude and matchless heroism. Warmed by
the recollection of those thrilling scenes, he
oiluiS At luSl W lS lCCt. ailds III nc 'hlC VI
one amid the battles din. fighting against the
most fearful odds, exclaimed.
"Now, Booth, once more for libertvr.'
The tragedian dared not disobev. He
ran through with all his usual energy the
tale of Mexican thraldom, of the Spanish
Conquest Of that land. the dangers incurred
by the invading army. their commanders en-
hortation before the battle. and the stubborn
bravery of the native chiefs. Before hin
tensity of thought and feeling which shone
through his eyes, lightened DER his face,
strained ever muscle and started the sweat
in great drops from his lofty brow, one who
had all the fiery spirit of 4 Cortes and ambi-
ton Of a Pizarro. Qnick as thought he took
up the task and repeated the words Just ut
tered by Booth, with the most critical pre-
cision Of tone and manner. That scene was
one of no small moment. it may be to a ma
tons history. As he became excited in the
recitation. his spirit seemed to take fire
and with an air so strange, so determined.
50 frightful, that il seemed the voice of one
inspired, he exclaimed at the close of a mas
terly extemporaneous rhapsody. ayes! yes!
/ am made to revel vet in the Halls of the
Montezumas."
Reader, Booths COMPANION on that night is
now President of Texas-the hero of San
Jacinto. And who can saw that the words
hx him in that honr Of excitement
are destined never to be fulfilled. Samuel
if ever "coming events cast their
shadows before" will yet revel in the Halls
Of the Mon,ezumas.
The above is description Of a scene
which actually occurred, and which recent
have called up with great distinct
ness. History has shown MANY instances of
declarations, like that of Houston's. which
subsequent events have induced men to re-
gard as prophetic. We have ever looked
upon such strong and passionate words. as
indicative Of a spirit possessed Of the re-
determination and energy Of charac.
ter to work out the wondrous changes pre-
licted. Such is the character of Houston