Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-04-19
AN ORIGINAL LETTER OF VIM. PrNKNEY.


From THE LITERARY WORLD.
In 1896 WILLIAM PMKNEY was selected by
President WAsHNGToN as one of the Commission
ers on the partof the United States, under the 7th
article of Mr.. Jays treaty with Great Britain, to
settle the claims for British spoiations. CHRISTIE
PIER GORE, afterwards Governor Of Massachusetts,
was the other American commissioner. DR.. JOHN
NIcHoLL and DR.. JOHN ANsTEY were the British
commissioners; and the fifth (appointed by lot)
was Colonel JOHN TRUMBULL. Mr.. PNKNEY arrv-
ed in London in July, 1896, and remained in Eng
land until 1904, august when he resumed his
professional pursuits in Maryland.
LoSDos, 9th FEBRUARY, 1877.
Mr DrAR Sir: thank you for requesting to hear from
me, but did not intend to wait for such request wished
to feel little home before troubled you with letter. and
stranger in London continues stranger for some time
find il difficult to accommodate myself to world
in all respects to My habits were at variance with
London life; and habits contracted an carly period and
long cherished stubborn things have however made
virtue Of necessity, and struggled with considerable industry
to like what must submit to, whether like it or not Still
cannot look back upon my country without rong re-
ges Absence has consecated and sweed into importance
the verest res have left behind You have doubtless
experienced this enthusiastic retrospect and know with what
soft and mellow coloring imagination paints the past in sit
uaton like mine, and how the visionary picture ndsposes
one to the Of the moment.
Upon the whole, however, (when keep down the pic
turedrawing propensiy manage better than expected.
have found here those whom would be want Of beraliy
not to esteem have much to amuse and more to in
struct me.
Our circle of acquaintance is pleasant one and
sve wish il; and if did not find friend too,
in such place London, should be afraid that did not
deserve any In short, my time passes agveeab, though
not happily in Maryland. Ny fancy is more amused,
and my understanding widely occupied but the heart
is not so much interested.
II is the misfortune Of almost all avelershat they out
with expectations exavagant that their qualification alb
soluey impossible. This was in great measure my case
and the consequence has been frequent disappointment
presume is to be attributed to my sanguine antici
patton that have Mrs. sIDDoss in her vore
characters without emotion appreciation that have heard
Mr. Fox the most interesting and weghy subjects with
out discovering that he Is orator that have heard Mr.
GREr the occasions without thinking him above me-
docrty in Short that have and heard much that
was told should admire without admirng it at ALL Mr.
PITT, indeed, has not disappointed He is truly
der man. never heard clear and mastery reasone
or eectua decaimer They have all fault how
they do not understand the power which may be given
to the human voice by tones and modulation.
In consequence Of public character Gore and myself
allowed to sit under the gallery Of the House Of Commons
privilege Of which you will suppose do not omit avail
myself could sit there forever to listen to Mr. PIrT. In
argument be beyond example correct and pespcuous and
in defamation energetic and commanding His style might
model of classic elegance and has Defect unless
il be that it is sometimes overloaded with parenthess You
have and heard him, and therefore need not be told that
bis is against him. His voice is full and impressive
and his articulation unusually distinct l thought first
hat his pronunciation too precise and analytic Iis in
ac sort of spelling pronunciation that gives unnecessary
body and importance every syllable but am familiar
zed with this scholastic pariculary and hardly feel its i'm
propety observe that be, well Mr. Fox, closes his
periods with cadence unknown in America. think it
musical and harsh Il is, however, completely ashona
Die that you meet with it in Westminster Hail. OIL
Mr. Fox think that he has vigorous mind but that be
speaker in spite of nature and his stars. He is notwh
standing, generally powerful in debate. have heard Mr..
ERsKIxE once in the House Of Commons, thought no
hing of him but assured by good judges that at the
be s formidable and indeed eloquent although he makes
40 figure in Parliament. do not understand this but
oneha of the fact to be true in Mr. ERSNRs case
Mr. Secretary DUNDAs is mediocre and incline to think
hat in America the art of speaking advanced than
any other country. We have it is rue of meIe
oraters but have also q greater number of
,ble speakers than be found here elsewhere The
bar in this country sound lawyers, but nothing more in
America they are something more.
Perhaps in all this make my estimates little too par
tally, and with too much pride Of country about me but
writing you, who have the prejudices, and
make allowances for me.
Your sincere friend,
WIN. PINKNEY.