them all, and thinks it is necessary to act at once. He is ready to fight, in order to sweep away every landmark of the past-rank in society, the English Church, and every trace of monarchy. He is for levelling everybody, and setting up a republic, where all are equal; and is one of the greatest political overturners of the age.

III.

These men are the leaders of the two great parties in the Burgesses-one in favor of deliberate action, the other for revolution at once.

But there are other celebrated men before us at whom we ought to glance before passing on. Yonder is one of the most remarkable of them. You see the portly figure, the swarthy face, bronzed by the sun, and the dark, stern eyes, both sad and severe in their expression. He leans back, with his right hand buried in the ruffles under his gold-laced waistcoat, and in every eye fixed upon him you may see the regard and respect that is felt for him. He is George Mason, of "Gunston Hall," on the Potomac. His family supported Charles I., and were obliged to fly to Virginia; but George Mason is a determined patriot, and ready to oppose George III. He is an admirable. writer, and will soon distinguish himself as such. The "Bill of Rights of the People of Virginia" will proceed from his pen, and make him famous before long; and he will write to his son in France that he hopes to see him again as a free man, or not at all; and that if he only has a crust of bread and liberty," he will be ready to die.

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Not far from him is a tall gentleman, with a noble Roman head, bent forward courteously. His right hand is covered with a bandage, as he shot himself one day while hunting swans on the Potomac. But his gestures in speaking are so graceful that people say he practised them

before a looking-glass. That is Richard Henry Lee, of "Chantilly," in Westmoreland, called the "gentleman with the silver hand," as Pendleton is spoken of as the "silver

voiced." He is a remarkable orator, and a man of the highest character. Two years from this time he will make a great name for himself, by moving in the General Congress that the Americans shall declare themselves independent.

Yonder is a person worth our attention-the man of small stature and long hair, with the piercing eyes. That is Archibald Cary, of "Ampthill," in Chesterfield. He is descended from Lord Falkland, who fell in the English revolution, and is heir-apparent to the English barony of Hunsdon. People call him "Old Iron," either because he has an iron-foundry on his farm, or is as firm as iron in character. He will show hereafter that he is a determined man. When people speak of making Patrick Henry

dictator of Virginia, Archibald Cary will say to a halfbrother of Henry, "Sir, I am told that your brother wishes to be dictator. Tell him from me that the day of his appointment shall be the day of his death, for he shall find my dagger in his heart before the sunset of that day!"

There are many other striking figures, you perceive, in the assemblage, as we look down upon them from the crowded gallery. Notice that calm-looking gentleman with the erect head and lofty forehead. That is Thomas Nelson, of York, hereafter to be Governor of Virginia, who will spend his whole estate to fit out soldiers, and never be repaid. At the siege of Yorktown he will cannonade his own house, and there

is no truer patriot in the Burgesses. Many others are worthy of attention. Yonder is George Bland, of Prince George, called the "Virginia Antiquary," old and nearly blind; and Edmund and Peyton Randolph-one to serve in the cabinet, and the other to be president of the first Congress. There is Robert Carter Nicholas, the sound financier, and Ben

PEYTON RANDOLPH.

jamin Harrison, of "Berkeley," who is said to be descended from the regicide, Colonel Harrison, who signed the warrant for the execution of Charles I.

Last of all, see that man of tall stature, with the erect head and the military bearing. He is in the midst of Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and the other patriots,

as you will see him in bronze one day, on his horse, in the Virginia monument to him. That is Colonel George Washington, of "Mount Vernon," on the Potomac. The old wars on the border are over, and he is a planter now. He is married, and represents the county of Fairfax in the Burgesses; but, as you know, he is soon to be called to a greater stage of action. His appearance is imposing, and there is something calm and majestic about him. His glance is clear and steady; you see he is the man of action. The time is not far off when the country will call him. He will take command of the American army, and die the founder of the American republic.

IV.

As we look at these distinguished men, grouped upon the floor of the old House of Burgesses, a stir takes place at the door, and a messenger enters and delivers a paper to the Speaker.

It is an order from Lord Dunmore to attend upon him in a body, in his council-chamber, to receive a communication which he has to make to them. The Speaker rises, and informs the House of the order received. Nothing is said the members leave their seats; the Speaker, followed by the sergeant-at-arms carrying the mace, goes in front; and the Burgesses repair in a body to the councilchamber.

They enter, and are received with stiff courtesy by Lord Dunmore. He is seated at the head of a large table, with the members of his council around him. He is richly clad, and resembles a monarch receiving the homage of his subjects.

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"Mr. Speaker, and gentlemen of the House of Burgesses," he says, "I have in my hand a paper published by order of your House, conceived in such terms as reflect high

ly upon his Majesty and the Parliament of Great Britain, which makes it necessary to dissolve you, and you are dissolved accordingly."

The governor then bows stiffly again, and the Burgesses return the bow; then they leave the council-chamber and go back to the hall, when they at once adjourn.

But they do not mean to return to their homes without further consultation. The Capitol is closed to them, and the House of Burgesses dissolved; but they are free to go elsewhere and consult with each other, if not act as a legal body. They therefore repair to the old Raleigh Tavern in Gloucester Street, where they hold a meeting in the "Apollo Room," and discuss the state of affairs. The meeting is an excited one. They declare themselves a 'convention," and draw up a paper addressed to the people, in which they say that the attack on Massachusetts. is precisely the same as an attack on Virginia. The time has come, they declare, for action, and to that end they recommend that a General Congress shall be held to consult how to oppose the tyranny of England. They resolve to observe the 1st of June as a day of fasting and prayer, in spite of Lord Dunmore; and then, after calling a convention of the people in August, this remarkable meeting in the "Apollo Room" adjourns.

V.

Night has come at last on this famous 27th of May, 1774. It is the night of the ball to be given to Lord Dunmore and his wife and daughters. Will the Virginians feel in a mood to assemble? They have just been dismissed, like a party of school-boys, by the governor, who has told them that their action deserves punishment, and that he inflicts the punishment. Will the ball follow? The question is soon decided. As night comes the win