Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/68

 44 SKETCHES OF THE

heard his argument on the contested election of Mr. Littlepage, the preceding winter. His dress and man- ners were still those of the plain planter, and in his per- sonal appearance, there was nothing to excite curiosity or awaken expectation. The forms of the house, of which he was now for the first time a member, were, as has been stated, most awfully dignified; its active members were composed of the landed aristocracy and their adherents; and amongst them were men to whose superiorit}^ of talents, as well as influence and power, the yeomanry of the country had long been accustomed to bow, with tacit and submissive deference.

John Robinson, the speaker of the house, was one of the most opulent men in the colony, and the acknow- ledged head of its landed aristocracy. He had now- filled the chair of the house with great dignit}', and w ithout interruption, for five and twent}' years. He was, also, the colonial treasurer; and from the high offices which he held, in connexion with the regal government, was as w armly attached to its authority by interest, as he was by taste and fashion, to all the grandeur of its forms. But, notwithstanding this close alliance with the court, his personal influence, in every class of society was very great; and he held that influence by a tenure far superior to any that his own vast wealth or the power of the crown could confer. For he possessed a sti'ong and well informed mind, enlarged and corrected by great experience, and he united with it, a benevolence of spirit and a courtesy of manners, which never failed to attach every heart that approached him. The poor drew near to him without awe or embarrassment; they came indeed, with filial confidence; for they never failed to find in him, a sympathetic friend, and an able counsellor. The rich enjoyed in him an easy, enlight-

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