Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/432

 408 SKETCHES OF THE

pected^ there was no man who could act better his part. I have had a description of Mr. Henry, entering, in the full dress which I have mentioned, the hall of the dele- gates, at whose bar he was about to appear as an advo- cate, and saluting the house, all around, with a dignity and even majesty, that would have done honour to the most polished courtier in Europe. This, however, was only on extraordinary occasions, when such a deport- ment was expected, and was properly in its place. In general, his manners were those of the plain Virginian gentleman — kind — open — candid — and conciliating — warm without insincerity, and polite without pomp — neither chilling by his reserve, nor fatiguing by his loquacity — but adapting himself, without an effort, to the character of his company. " He would be pleased and cheerful,'^ says a correspondent, " with persons of any class or condition, vicious and abandoned per- sons only excepted; he preferred those of character and talents, but would be amused with any who could con- tribute to his amusement.^^ He had himself, a vein of pleasantry, which was extremely amusing, without de- tracting from his dignity. His companions, although perfectly at their ease with him, were never known to treat him with degrading familiarities. Their love and their respect for him equally forbade it. Nor had they any dread of an assault upon their feehngs; for there was nothing cruel in his wit. The tomahawk and scalp- ing knife were no part of his colloquial apparatus. He felt no pleasure in seeing the victim writhe under his stroke. The benignity of his spirit could not have borne such a sight, without torture. He found himself hap- piest, in communicating happiness to others. His con- versation was instructive and delightful; stately where it should be so, but in the general, easy, familiar, sprightly.

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