Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-27
Anecdotes of Col. Ethan Allen.

Ool Ethan Allen was man oestlned 10 Ih
world as something uncommon and in hlg
degree interesting. He was but partially eduoa
ted and o5scurely brought up; yet no man wa
more at ease in the polished ranks than be. No
that he at all conformed to their artificial rule
of etiquette but he had observed the dictates
natural good sense and good humor. His bear
ing was in total defiance to fashion, and he look
ed and acted as if he thought it would be con
descension thus to trammel himself. 1t is we
known that in early life, in his own country, h
acquired an influence over his fellow-men, ant
led them on to the most daring achievements
He seemed to have possessed all the elements Q
hero. devoted patriotism, q resoute and dar
ing mind, and an excellent Judgment.
His conduct as partizan officer is well know
in this country, and was of great sci vice to TIT
cause of liberty during our revolutionary strug
gle. He was taken prisoner and carried to Eng
land, where his excellent sense, his shrewdnes
and wit, introduced him into the court region
A friend of our earlier life, who was well &C
ouanted with this part of the history of thi
singular man, used to take great delight in tell
ing us some anecdotes of Col. Allen while pris
oner in London. We have before mentioned th'
firmness with which he resisted the attempts t.
bribe him, and the caustc satire with which NJ
replied to nobleman who was commissioned b!
the ministry to make him formal offers to joiI
the British cause in America. The inciden
was stirring one, and will bear O repetition.
The commissioner, amongst the tempting larg
esses, proposed that if he would espouse the
cause of the King, he might have fee simple il
half the State of Vermont. 81 am plain man,
said Col. Allen in reply, ''and have read bu
few books, but have seen in print somewhere
a circumstance that forcibly reminds me of the
proposal of your lordship; it is ofa certain char
acter who took q certain other characterinto an
exceeding high mountain, and showed him all
the kingdoms of the earth, and the glory thereof
and told him that if he would tall down and
worship him, this should all be his ; and the ras.
cal.' added he, ''didn't Oaon q foot Of them"
His interview with the King at Windsor is
mentioned as highly interesting. His Majesty
asked the stout-hearted mountaneer if they had
any newspapers in America "But very few,
and those are but little read,'' was the answer.
"How them" asked the King, 'do the common
people know of these grievances Of which they
complaint" "As to that" said he, II can tell
your Majesty that amongst people who have
felt the spirit of liberty the news of oppression
is carried by the birds of the air, and the breezes
of heaven" "That is too tigurative an answer
from matter. of fact man, to plain question, y
reioined the King. well, to be plain answered
the rebellious subject, among our people thetale
of wrong is carried from man to man, from
neighborhood to neighborhood, with the speed
of electricity my countrymen feel nothing else !;
sout of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh.' will add, with great respect to your
Majesty, that such people cannot be put down
with the sword"
The King made long pause, as if strongly
with the truth of his remarks. At
length, changing the subject,he asked Col. Allen
if he knew DR.. Franklin; and being answered in
the affirmative, inquired concerning his expsri-
ments in electricity, and expressed curiosity
10 experience an electric shock. The British SOW
ereign seemed to take great pleasure in the con-
versation, which he kept up for more than an
hour and at length made Colonel Allen promise
to visit him with his countrymen DIR. Franklin,
ut his palace in London. Some weeks after he
was reminded of his promise by the noblelnan
above mentioned, and an hour fixed for the
home-bred philosopher of America, to explain
the mysteries of new discovery in the science
to the royal family They attended accordingly
and with an apparatus chiefly of his own inven-
ton, DR.. Franklin exhibited many of those sim
ple and amusing experiments for which he was
SO noted, and at which the royal children, even
those of larger growth, were very much de-
lighted
In his playful way, DR.. franklin took occa-
sion to convey instructions as to the properties
of this astonishing fluid. While the Royal hab.
itation was thus in a most unkndly uproar, the
n NC in
seemed for moment disturbed. u forgot my
appointment with the minister" said lie, "bul
no matter, will eschew business for once, and
let North see how we are employed" Accord
ingly the minister was ushered in with little oere-
mony, and it was soon concluded that he should
have shock. Allen whispered to the Doctor
to remember how he had shocked us across the
waters, and to give him double charge. Wheth
er it was designed on the hint of his friend OF
not, was not ascertaned; but the charge was SC
powerful on the nerves of his lordship, as to
make him give way in the knees, at which all
especially the princess, were almost convulsed
with mirth
Some of Col. Aliens happy retorts at the clubs
and fashionable parties are still remembered and
often repeated. On one occasion he was chal
lenged to glass of vino by the beautiful Duchess
of Rutland, who seems to have been particular.
ly pleased with his Independent manner. "4ou
must qualify your glass with a toast" The
"Varmounter' very unaffectedly observed that
he was not used to that sort of ceremony, and
was afraid he might give offence. If, however
the lady would be so good as to suggest a sub
ject, he would endeavor to give sentiment.
'Oh," said she, "never mind the subject-any
thing will do, so that it has no reason in it."
"Well," says he, ''this may do for truth
not for q toast" and, fixing his eyes adoringly
on the far-famed court beauty, he proceeded
"If anything could make double traitor Of 6
patriot, it would be the witchcraft of such eye:
as your ladyship's."
The blunt sincerity with which this was spok
en-, together with its exact fitness to the occa
sion and person, caused it to be long hailed ir
the beau monde" as an excellent good thing
and, although it had the effect of heightenine
for moment that beauty to which it was offer.
ed as tribute, it is said the fair Duchess Otter
afterwards boasted of the compliment as far a
bove all the empty homage she had received
from the glittering coxcombry of the city.
A lady once sneeringly asked Col. Allen, in {
large assembly, at which time the fashionable
ladies preferred taking air. He perceived hel
drift, and buntly answered:
Whenever it becomes necessary to feed the
geese and turkeys"
"What," inquired the lady, "do the fine wo
men in your country descend to so menial EN-
ploymentsG" 7
Allen was always reused at any attempt tt
depreciate the fair ones of his own country, an(
with great deal of warmth, he replied:
American women, ladies, have the art o
turning even amusements to account Many o
these could take up the subject of your Grace,
family history, and tell you OF the feats of valol
and bursts of eloquence to which your ladyshiE
is probably indebted for your distinguished name
most of which, it is likely, would be as new tc
you as the art of raising poultry"
The sarcasm produced deep blush on the
face of the fair scotfer, but it procured for the
captive and his countrymen an indemnity against
court rdicule for the future.
n n