The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1858-09-16

Anecdote Of Grattan, the Irish Or
ator.
Colonel Burr, who had been Vice.
President Of the IT, States, and probably
would have been President, but for his
unfortunate duel with General Hamil.
ton, came over to England, and was
made known to me by Mr.. Randolph,
Of Virginia, with whom was very in
innate. He requested l would intro
duce him to Mr.. Grattan, whom he was
excessively anxious to see. Colonel
Burr was not man of very prepossess-
ing appearance; rough featured, and
neither drossy nor polished; but a
well-informed, sensible man, and though
not a particularly agreeable, yetan in
structive companion. People in general
form extrayagant antioipations regard
ing eminent persons The idea of a
great orator and an Irish chief carried
with it, naturally enough, corresponding
notions Of physical elegance, vigor and
dignity. Such was Colonel Burr's mis-
take, 1 believe, about Mr.. Grattun, and
took care not to undecoive him. We
went to my friends house, who was To
leave London next day. / announced
that Colonel Burr, from America, Mr..
Randolph, and myself wished to pay
our respects, and the servant informed
us that his master would receive us in a
short time, but was at the moment much
occupied on business of consequence
Burr's expectations were all on the alert.
Randolph also was anxious to be pre-
scented to the great Grattan, and both
impatient for the entrance Of this De-
mosthenes.
At length the door opened, and in
hoped a small, bent figure, meagre,
yellow, and ordinary; one slipper aud
one shoe; his breeches' knees loose: his
shirt and cOat-sleeves tucked up high.
and an old hat upon his head This
apparition saluted the strangers very
courtcously, and asked, without any in
PRODUCTION, how long they had been in
England, and Immediately proceeded to
make inquiries about the late General
Washington and the Revolutionary War.
My companions looked at each other;
their replies were costive, and they seem
ed quite impatient to sec Mr. Grabtan. .-
l could scarcely contain myself but de-
termined to let my eccentric countryman
take his course, who appeared quite de-
lighted to see his visitors, and was the
most inquisitive person in the world
Randolph was far the tallest and most
dignifed person of the two grey-haired
and well-dressed; Grattan, therefore, of
course, took him for the Vice President,
and addressed him accordingly Ran
dolph, at length, begged to know if they
could shortly have the honor Of seeing
Mr.. Grattan. Upon which our host
not doubling but they knew him, con-
ceived it must be his son James for
whom they inquired and said he be-
lieVed he had that moment wandered
out somewhere to amuse himself This
completely disconnected the Americans
and they were about to make their bow
and their exit, when l thought it high
time to explain; and, taking Colonel
Burr and Mr.. Randolph respectively by
the hand, introduced them to the Right
Honorable Henry Grattan I never saw
people stare so, or so much embarrassed
Grattan himself, now perceiving the
cause, heartily joined in my merriment.
He pulled down his shirt-secvos, pulled
up his stockings, and in his own ire
sistible way apologized for the oatre fig
ure he cut, assuring them that he had
totally overlooked it in his anxiety
not to keep them waiting, that he was
about returning to Ireland next morn
ing, and had been busily packing up his
books and papers in a closet full Of
dust and cobwebsl This incident rem
dered the interview most interesting
The Americans were charmed with their
and after a protraoted visit,
retired highly grati6ed, while Grattan
again to his books and cob