The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-03
Archibald Hamilton Rowan.

lfeyer knight errantry was realized in ancient or
modern days, II was so III Archibald Hamilton
Rowan. Endowed with figure of the grandest
proportions, he possessed mind guileless and ro
mantle TO a degree that, if depicted in novel,
would be looked upon as forced and incredible.
Confident in his great strength and courage, and
prompted by his generous feelings, he always
ready TO undertake the rcdrcssa of the wrongs OF
distressed damses, or of the needy and oppressed
of either sex; il not, therefore, matter OF won
der that he should have devoted himself with "a
hearty enthusiasm to the cause OF the rehei oil his
suffering country He did in the purest spirit OF
patriotism, and with the most entire disregard of
his personal interests; and up 10 the last moments,
like feelings continued 10 influence him.
Those who remember the streets of Dublin thirty
years since, can scarcely have forgotten that gil
gantic old man, in his old fashioned dress, and
with his following Of the two last OF the raceot Irish
wolf dogs. His appearance then, however, could
scarcely convey notion OF what he was some flve-
and twenty years earlier, when he and ! made a
pedestrian tour OF England together, and when, as
well remember, his practice at starting from our
inn, of wet morning. was 10 roll himself into the
first pool hc met, in order that he might be before
hand with the rain. The aurels were then fresh
which he had won by the performance of "A grand
feat under the eyes of Marie Antoinette, and of
which he was not little proud He had run foot
race, III presence OF the whole French court, IN
lack boots, against officer of the Garde de Corps,
dressed in light shoes and silk stockings, and had
won with to the great admiration OF the queen,
who honored him with special marks of her regard.
w hen frst knew Rowan ne was master OF Il lor-
tune OF full $4,000 year, upon which, however,
hi. philanthropic cscapades caused heavy drafts.
lie had always some adventure upon hand and
two or three of these in which he rescued distressed
damses from the snares and force of ravishers Of
rank made a good deal of noise at the time; the
particulars being made known by means of
private printing press, which he kept in his house
ready for such occasions. While he was obliged 4
take refuge in America he was frequently in pecu
MARY distress, owing TO the uncertainty with which
remittanCcs reached him from home; and rccol
lect his telling that he was, for good part o.
the time indebted for a livelihood TO his mechani-
cal knowledge, which was very considerable, and
enabled him 20 take charge of cotton factory in
New York. The last time / saw him at his
house Of Rathcotfey, in the county of Kildare where
] went for the purpose of introducing to him lady
Campbell, the daughter Of Lord Edward Fitzger.
aid, who visit to Lyons. He unable
20 leave his room, and but the mummy Of the for
mer Archibald Hamilton Rowan; yet that the spirit
Of the ynelr cLsralier who had won the smiles o
the Queen Of France, still lived in that skeleton
was aislndanty manifested in the affectionate gal
lantry with which he received and greeted the
daughter of his early associate and friend.
Lord ClonctnTy'S Recolections