Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-09-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Princeton Magazine.
Patrick Henry.

The following is from the pen Of the
Rev. Dr.. Alexander, Of Princeton Semi
nary -
From nv earliest childhood | bad been
accustomed to hear of the eloquence OF
Patrick Henry. On this subject there
existed but one opinion in the country.
The power of his elOquence was felt
equally bv the learned and the lnlearned.
No man who ever heard him speak, on
any important occasion, could fail 10 adj
nit his uncommon power over the mil DIS
of his hearers. The occasions on which
he made his greatest efforts have been
recorded bv Mr.. Writ, in his Life of Hen
". What propose in this brief article
is TO mention only what | observed my
self more than half century ago. Being
then a Young man just entering on pro
fession in which good speaking was very
important, it was natural for me to observe
the Oratory of celebrated men. | was
anxious to ascertain the true secret ofthelr
power; or what it was which enabled
them to sway the minds of their hearers
almost al their will.
In executing mission from the Synod
ofVirginia, in the year 1894, | had to
pass through the county of Prince Ed
ward, where Mr.. Henry resided. Un-
derstanding that he was to appear before
the Circnil Court which met in that coun-
", in defence of three men charged with
murder determined TO seize the oppor-
runity Of observing for myself the elo-
quence of This extraordinary orator.
It was with some difficulty | obtained
seat in front of he bar, where | could
have full view of the speaker, as well as
hear him distinctly. But had 10 submit
TO severe penance in gratifying my Gu
rlOSily; for the whole day was occupied
with the examination of two witnesses.
in which Mr.. Henry was aided by two
other lawyers.
--. In person, Mr.. Henry was lean rather
than AeShy. He was rather above than
below the common height, but had stooP
IN his shoulders which prevented him from
appearing as tall as he really was. In his
moments If animation. he had the habit OF
slraghtcning his frame, and adding TO his
apparcn, stature. He wore brown wig,
which exhibited no indication of any great
care in the dressing. Over his shoulders
he wore a brown camet cloak. Under
this his clothing was black, something the
worse for wear. The expression OF his
coun'enance was that of solcmmty and
deep carneslncS>. His mind appeared TO
he always absorbed in what. COR the time,
occupied his attention. Ills forehead was
h'gl and spacious, aud ihe SKIN Of his lace
moFe than usually wrlnkied for 4 man ot
h!y, lis eyes were small and deeply
Se. ia his head, but were Of bright blue
'o'our. and twukled much in their sock
yN, In short, Mr.. !lenry's appearance
.'" nothing very remarkable as he sat al
loH might readily have mistaken
nun r"H ''r common Planter, who cared very
rue ABOUT hls personal appearance. in
'''S manners he was uniformly respectful
ana roarleoES. Candles were brought
,'.' ne courthouse, when the cxamina-
~; w" "' he Witnesses closed and the
i 10 he option Of the bar,
ln"v, m"D,. T.. T., lary would 90 ou with the arga-
,,. "' ',,' a'5h;, or adjourn until the next
c'.L ""' ! arlington, Jr., the attorney
''.' - 4'r' Nan of large size and un-
''''" ' s"I'y ofPcrson anu ssHntr, as