Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-07-16
Biographical.


SIR THOMAS MoRE.-This distinguished
statesman and writer, was born in Londun in
14S0. He studied at Oxford, and became a
successful lawyer in London. When he had
arrived at the legal time, he was elected
member of the House of Commons. At first
he Joined the opposition against the govern
ment, but having been introduced to the King
by Cardinal WOlsey, he was appointed first
member of the Privy Council, then Treasurer
of the 'ExchequeT, and, after the disgrace of
WOlsey, Lord Chancellor. Up to that time
he had enjoyed the favor of the King. But
when the King commenced his plan of reEor-
nation, Sir Thomas, unable to approve of the
Kings views, resigned the Office which he
had held for two years aud retired to Chelsea.
Being summoned to take the oath of supre.
macy, he refused to take it. was arrested and
imprisoned in the Tower of London. A few
months after, he was beheaded, on the 9th
of July, 1885. He met death with great
hrmDess, and, on the scaffOld, renewed his
profession of faith as Catholic, protesting
against the the oath of supremacy as contrary
to the laws Of the Church and the laws of
En- ngland.
He was man of the most amiable disposi.
ton, and was one of the best aud most spirited
writers of his time. AT the age of 20, he
acquired European reputation by his Latin
verses aud his history of Pic de Ia MirandOIe,
which excited the admiration of Bude and
Erasmus The most known of all his works
Is his Utopia, or De OptimO reipublice statu,
degue nova insula Utopia, in which is intro
duced plan of u social constitution after the
manner of PlatO's Republic, only if possible
more impracticable
His reputation for integrity was never
questioned. When Lord Chancellor, he de-
cidcd case in favor OF a lady, who, on the
following New Years day, sent him a pair of
gloves with forty gold pieces in them. He
replied that good manners required him to
receive the gloves, but that he could not re-
ceive the lining
MOre's body was buried in st. Peters
churchsin the Tower, but afterwards removed
to Chelsea church. His head was stuck ON
pole on London Bridge, where it remained
for fourteen days, but his oldest and favorite
daughter, Margaret Roper who as woman
was intelligent aud accomplished as her fa-
ther, bribed the bridge keeper, who. under
the Pretense of making room for other heads,
dropped itintO the river where she was wait
ing in boat to receive it She had it en-
closed in leaden box, and preserved it care
fully until her death. nine years after, when
it was put in her coffin and buried with her
IN the Roper vault, st. Dunstan's church,
Canterbury, For some reason it was after,
wards removed and placed in a niche in the
vauit, with an iron grating before it, where it
still remains.
HENRY GRATTAN, the celebrated Irish
Orator, was born in Dublin, July 3, 1850.
He had already acquired n reputation at the
bar when he entered the Irish parliament in
1913. lie ranged himself on the side of the
opposition, and succeeded in 1882 in preserv-
ing the independence of the Irish parliament
from any exercise Of authority on the part of
the English parliament. Though a Protest
ant he was warm advocate for yielding the
right Of suffrage to the Catholics but, see
ing all his efforts to unite his countrymen
useless, he withdrew from the parliament
When Pitt introduced his plan of a legisla-
tive union between the two islands. GTattan
resumed his place in the Irish parliament,
where he opposed the movement with all his
energies. But the spirit of the country was
crushed in'the rebellion of 1898. and by in
timidatiOn on one side and bribery on the 9TH
er, all Grattan's efforts were in vain
Being sent to the English parliament in
1903. he found he could accomplish nothing
for his country, in the face of the overwhelm-
ing numbers of the English members and
their Ignorance Of and indifference to every
Irish question. lie died on the 14th of Nav,
1920.
Grattan was a man of great integrity and
independence. He never held Office or sought
it. His style of speaking at the commence
ment was rather prolix and cold, but as he
proceeded, he, by degrees, became more AMI
mated, and his language increased in energy.
power and beauty. Though naturally courte-
Gus in disposition, he had great powers of
sarcasm, and, when provoked, could apply the
lash with great severity.
THE ADMIRABLE CRIcHToN.-James
Crichton was born in Perthshire, Scotland,
August 81, 1851, and studied at the univer-
sity Of st. Andrews. After he completed
his course ofstudies, he travelled on the con-
tinent, exciting wonder everywhere he went
by the extent and variety of his learning
lie is said to have spoken and written nearly
twenty languages, and maintained public dis
cussiOns with the most learned profession in
every city to which he came, as was customary
at thattime. What seemed still more remark
able, he was not more skilled in the various
intellectual branches of knowledge. than he
was in athletic exercises Few men could run.
jump, wrestle, ride or fence with him without
establishing his superiority, while his skill in
music was the wonder of those who knew him.
He was called. from the unfversality of his
genius, The Admirable Crichton. Paris.
Rome, Venice and Paqua were witnesses of
his triumphs. Having settled in Mantua.
where he killed in single combat great prize
fighter, who had previously killed three men,
he was appointed by the Duke of Manrua tu-
tor to his son, Prince GOnzaga, a wild and dis
soIute young man. He. envious of the high
qualities and jealous Of the superiority of
Chrichton, took an opportunity during the
carnival, when masks are almost universally
used, to attack HIM with five of his followers.