The Placer herald., 1857-12-26
Anecdotes Of Col, Ethan Allen,

TALLY educated and obscurely brought up;
yet no man was more at ease in the polished
ranks than he. Not that he at all conform
ed to their artificial rules of etiquette; but
he had observed the dictates Of natural good
sense and humor. His bearing was in total
defiance to fashion, and he looked and acted
as if he thought it would be a condescension
thus to trammel himself. 1t is we'll that in
early life, in his own country he acquired an
influence over his fellow men that led them
on to the most daring achievements. He
seems to have possessed all the elements of a
hero, devoted patriotism, resolute and
daring mind, and an excellent judgment.
His conduct as partisan officer is well
known in this country and was of great ser
vice in the cause of liberty during the revo-
lutionary struggle. He was taken prisoner
and carried to England, where his excellent
sense, shrewdness, and wit, introduced him
into the court region. A friend of our ear
ier life who was well acquainted with this
part of the history of this singular man, used
to take great delight in telling us some anec-
dotes Of Col. Allen while prisoner in Lon
don. We have before mentioned the firm
ness with which he resisted the attempts to
bribe him, and the caustic satire with which
he replied to a. .nobleman who was commis-
stoned by the ministry to make hm formal
offers to join the British cause in America.
The incident was stirring one, and will
bear repetition.
The commissioner, among the tempting
argesses proposed that if he would espouse
the cause Of the King, he might have fee
simple in half the State Of Vermont. 81 am
a plain man. said Col. Allen in reply, "and
| have read but few books, but | have seen
in print some where, a circumstance that
forcibly reminds me of the proposal of your
lordship; it is of certain character who took
another certain character up into an exceed
ING high mountain, and showed him all the
kingdoms Of the earth, and the glory thereof,
and told him if he would fall down and wor-
ship him, this should all be his; ard tie ras-
cai," added he, "didn't own foot of them.'
His interview with the King at Witdsor is
mentioned as highly interesting. His Majes-
ty asked the stout-hearted mountaineer 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 tie common people know of these griev-
ances Of which they complain?" "As to
that" said he, 81 can tell your Majesty, that
among people who have felt the spirit of
liberty, the news of oppression is carried by
the birds of the air, and the breezes of hea-
ven." "That is too tigurative an answer for
a matter Of fact man, to plain question:"
reioned the King. "Well, to be plain,"
answered the rebellious subject, "among our
people the tale Of wrong is carried from
man to man, from neghbolhood to neigh
borhood, with the speed Of electricity my
countrymen feel nothing else; out of the
abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.'
| will add with due respect to your Majesty,
that such people cannot be put down with
the sword"
The King made a long pause, as if strong
y impressed with the truth of his remarks.
At length, changing his subject, lie asked Col.
Allen if he knew DR.. Franklin; and being
corning his experiments in electricity, and
expressed his curiosity to experience an cleo
trio shock. The British sovereign seemed to
take great pleasure in the conversation,
which he kept up for more than an Eour,
and at length made Col. Allen promise to
visit him with his countryman DR.. Franklin,
at his palace in London Some weeks after
wards he was reminded of his promise by
the nobleman above mentioned, and an hour
fixed for the home-bred philosopher Of
America, to explain the mysteries Of "a new
discovery in the science to the royal family.
They attended accordingly and with an APP
paratus chiefly of his own invention, DIR.
Franklin exhibited many Of those simple
Il f,r oh ba
so noted, and at which the royal children,
even those Of a larger growth, were very
much delighted.
In this playful way, DR.. Franklin took oc-
casion to convey instruction as to the pro-
perties of this astonishing fluid. While the
royal palace was in this unkingly uproar, the
Premier was announced as in waiting. 81
forgot my appointment with the minister"
said he, "but no matter, will eschew bust
ness for once, and let North see how we are
employed" Accordingly the minister was
ushered in with little ceremony; and it was
soon concluded that he must have a shock.
Allen whispered to the Doctor to remember
how he had shocked US across the waters,
and to give him double charge. Whether
it was designed on the hint of his friend or
not, was not ascertaned; but the charge was
50 powerful on the nerves of his lordship, as
to make him give way in the knees, at which
all, especially the princess, was almost con
vulsed with mirth
Some Of Col. Aliens happy retorts at the
clubs and fashionable parties are still remem-
bered and often repeated. On one occasion
he was challenged to glass Of wine by the
beautiful Duchess Of Rutland, who seems to
have been particularly pressed with his in
dependent manner. "You must qualify your
eass with toast" The "Vermounter" very
unaffectedy observed that he was not used to
that sort Of ceremony, and was afraid he
might give offense. If, however, the lady
would be SO good as to suggest subject,