Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-02-04
LIrERARY GOSSIP.

| Lord BTOu ham and Patrick EfenryI
MEssRs EDIToRs;-We do not care much, on this
side of the Atlantic about descent and consangunity
those questions SO important, to arstocrpcies and
horse-breeders the other side; yet cannot but
feel some little interest in the coincidence that Patrick
Henry, the orator of our Revolution; and Henry
Brougham the orator of British Reform derive their
origin and their genius from the source. Patrick
Henry was the son of Scotchman. His grandmother
was sister to Dr. Robertson, the celebrated Scottish
historian; and Henry Brougham's grandmother, wife
of Rev. Robert Syme of Aoa, Scotland, was also sis
ter to the distinguished author of the Hstory of Amer
ica." The Union of Lord Brougham's father and
mother was rather fortuitous and romantic, and
short notice of it may interest your readers MIR.
Broug ham, the father Of the future Lord Chancellor,
travelling assuage grief, said to be occasoned
by disappointment Of the heat. He visited Edinburg,
the most splendid and romantic of British cities; and
while strong upon the Cation Hill, the first day of
his VISIT he was so stricken with the appearance Of the
river that rolled below him; with the green slets on its
bosom like emeralds set in god and with the magni6-
cent mountain and Campagna scenery, that he detenn-
ed to soourn there time, and casually asked
gentleman with whom he fell into conservation if he
could recommend to him quiet respectable lodging.
The stranger led him to Mrs. Syme's at the Cowgate
Head, where he soon became enamoued OF the widows
only daughter Eleanor; and in due time took her to
wife. The Cowgate is now the veres purleu of Edin-
b re-, where all the most wreched Irish eetate; and
VIII species Of manners prevails that would do no
discredt to the haut of Paudemonium. In one of
the old, grim, ughooking dwellings ofhs street did
Lord Broughams father and mother spend the first few
months oftheir welded life; previous their removal
t. No. North St. Andrew street, where Henry and
his brothers were born.
l visited this house in the Cowgate. 1t was then
used a Carriers Office and also as a tavern. The
entrance literally through narrow orfce in the
black WALL and by abrupt fight of stone steps,
Over this gap in the facade of the building was sign
board, with profile painted on it, said to be that of
George the Third. 1t was remarkable only for the
spendor Gifts robes and the Canine character of Its
chronological Developments The street, when stood
on it was redolent with masma; and vocal with the
bawlng and bawlng tongues of Irish rioters and Irish
costermongers. Ard was it, here Brougham's mean
choIy father sought retirement and peace and found
love said looking round me with smile. The po.
licemau goes there to keep peace, and he often
finds the weight of brickbats and b!ackthorn for his
trouble; sic transit &c.
/ Is it not worthy of remark that we owe our two
greatest orators, Patrick Henry and Daniel Webster
that nature from which sprung Fletcher of Satoun,
Brougham, and Francis Jeffrey?
The Cosmopolitan Brougham, whom that quzzical
little Mr.. Puuch has presented to the world in such
multitude of aspects, certainly deserves welcome to
our shores, which he purposes to visit, should his
health permit him. only of his early at
~ evrrfoSTdtiU principles; out on account OF
his relationship to the Demoshenes of American Lib
| erty. S.