Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/39

 not, indeed, wholly wanting; because Mr. John Camp- bell was there, who had married Mrs. Spotswood, the sister of col. Dandridge. He was a man of science, and often introduced conversation on scientific subjects. Mr. Henry had, a litde before, broken up his store, or rather it had broken him up; but his misfortunes were not to be traced, either in his countenance or conduct."

This cheerfulness of spirit, under a reverse of for- tune so severe, is certainly a very striking proof of the manliness of his character. It is not, indeed, easy to conceive that a mind like Mr. Henry's could finally sink under any pressure of adversity. Such a mind, al- though it may not immediately perceive whither to di- rect its efforts, must always possess a consciousness of power sufficient to buoy it above despondency. But, be this as it may, of Mr. Henry it was certainly true, as Doctor Johnson has observed of Swift, that " he was not one of those who, having lost one part of life in idle- ness, are tempted to throw away the remainder in de- spair."

It seems to be matter of surprise, that even yet, amidst all these various struggles for subsistence, the powers of his mind had not so developed themselves as to suggest to any friend the pursuit for which he was formed. He seems to have been a plant of slow growth, but, like other plants of that nature, formed for dura- tion, and fitted to endure the butfe tings of the rudest storm.

It was now, when all other experiments had failed, that, as a last effort, he determined, of his own accord, to make a trial of the law. No one expected him to succeed in any eminent degree. His unfortunate habits were, by no means, suited to so laborious a profession: and even if it were not too late in life for him to hope

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