Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/113

 In supporting these resolutions, Mr. Carr made his debut, and a noble one it is said to have been. This gentleman, by profession a la^vyer, had recently com- menced his practice at the same bar with Patrick Henry; and although he had not yet reached the meri- dian of hfe, he was considered, by far the most formida- ble rival in forensic eloquence that Mr. Henry had ever yet had to encounter. He had the advantage of a per- son at once dignified and engaging, and the manner and action of an accomplished gentleman. His education was a finished one; his mind trained to correct think- ing; his conceptions quick, and cl jar, and strong; he reasoned with great cogency, and had an imagination which enlightened beautifully, without interrupting or diverting the course of his argument. His voice w^as finely toned, his feelings acute; his style free, and rich and various; his devotion to the cause of liberty, verg- ing on enthusiasm; and his spirit firm and undaunted, beyond the possibility of being shaken. With what delight the house of burgesses hailed this new cham- pion, and fehcitated themselves on such an accession to their cause, it is easy to imagine. But what are the hopes and expectations'of mortals!

" Ostendent terns hunc tantum fata, neque ultra
 * Esse sinent — "

In two months from the time at which this gentleman stood before the house of burgesses, in all the pride of health, and genius and eloquence — he was no more: lost to his friends and to his country, and disappointed of sharing in that noble triumph which awaited the illus- trious band of his compatriots.*

and of the character of Mr. Carr, from one who knew him well, and neard
 * I cannot withhold from the reader, the following note of this transaction '

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