Litchfield enquirer., 1850-06-06
MlSCgLL AM ".


"reminiscences Of Patrick Henry.
The following is from the pen Of the
Rev. DR.. Alexander of Princeton Sem
mary
From my earliest childhood 1 had
been accustomed to hear of the eio.
quence Of Patrick Henry. On this subject
there existed but one opinion in the
country. The power of his eloquencc
was felt equally by the learned aud IN
learned. No man who ever heard him
speak, on any important occasion, could
fail 10 admit his uncommon power over
the minds of his hearers. The oscasions
on which he made his greatest efforts have
been recorded by Mr. Writ, in his Life
9: Henry. What I propose in this brief
article is to mention only what ! obsefy:--
ed myself mere than half . century aI0:
Being then a young man just catering
on profession in which good speak n
was very important, it was natural for
me to obs srve the oratory of celebrated
men. was anxious to ascertain the true
secret Of their power Or what it was
which enabled them to sway the minds
Of the hearers, almost at their will.
In executing mission from the Sy-
nod of Virginia, in the year 1904. 1 had
TO pass through the county of Prince
Edward, where Mr.. Henry resided. Un.
Outstanding that he was to appear be-
fore the Circuit Court which met in that
county, in defence Of three men charged
with murder, / determed to seize tie OPP
portunity Of observing for myself the el-
oquence of this extraordinary orator.
1t was with some difficulty obtained
seat in front Of the bar, where l could
have full view of the speaker, as well
as hear him distinctly. But had tosub-
NIT to severe penance in gratifying my
curiosity for the whole day was occu-
ped with the exan,inat on of witnes Ics,
in which Mr.. Henry was aided by two
other lawyers. =.
In person, MIR. Henry was lean rather
than ficshy. He was rather above than
below the common height but had a
stoop in the shoulders which prevent, d
him from appearing as tall as he really
was. In his moments of animation, h,
had the habit of Strengthening his frame,
and adding to his apparent stature. He
wore brown wig. which exhibited no
indication of any great care in dressing.
Over his shoulders he wore brown cam
let cloak. Under this his clothing was
black, somewhat the worse for wear.-
The expression of his coun:e nance was
that of >olemnity and deep earnes'nsss.
His mind appeared to be always abs o bed
in what for the time occupied his at,en.
ton. His forehead was high and spa.
cious, and the skin of his face more than
usually wrinklcd for man of fifty. His
eyes were small and deeply set in his
head. but wee ola bright blue color, and
twinkled much in their sockets. In short,
Mr.. Henry's appearance had nothing
very remarkable as he sat at rest. You
might readily have taken him for COM
mon planter. who cared very little about
his personal appearance. In his mans
ners lie was uniformly respectful and
courteous. Candles were brought into
the court house, when the examination
Of witnesses closed and the Judges put
it to the option Of the bar, whether they
would 60 on with the argument that
night or adjourn until the next day
Paul Darlington Jr. the attorney for the
state, man Of large size and uncommon
dignity of person and manner, as also ar
accomplished lawyer, professed his will
lingness to proceed Immediately, whilst
the testimony was fresh in the minds Of
all. Now for the first time / heard Mr..
Henry make anything of speech. and
though it was short, it satisfied me OF
one thing, which / had particularly de-
sired to have decided namely, whether
like player he merely assumed the ap-
pearance Of feeling. His manner Of ad-
dressing the court was profoundly re.
spectful. He would be willing to pro.
coed with the trial. but said he, my
heart is so oppressed with the weight OIL
responsibility which rests upon me, hav-
ing the lives of three fellow citizens de.
pending, probably, on the exertion which
/ may be able to maze in their behalf,
(here he turned to the prisoners behind
him) that l do not feel able to proceed
to night. ! hope the court will indulge
! me, anu postpone the trial till morning.
The impression made these few words
,v,, ,ucn .. :. assure myself no one car
ever conceive by seeing them in print
In the countcnance, action, and information
Of the speaker, there was expressed such
an intensity Of feeling. that all my doubts
were dispelled; never again did ques'
ton whether Henry felt. or only acted
feeling. Indeed, I experienced an in
Simultaneous sympathy with him in the
emotions which he expressed and
have no doubt the same sympathy wa'
felt by every heart. @
AS matter Of course, the proceeding
were deferred ill the next morning.
was early ut my post the judges wer'