was cherished and aided, in a great measure, by the valuable library collected by his father: in which were to be found the best editions of all the great British writers, in every branch of science, poetry, and belles-lettres.

About the period when Mr. Lee arrived at the state of manhood, his brothers returned from England, bringing with them the polish and refinement of European manners, and minds, not only well-informed, but ardent in the pursuit of intellectual improvement. His ambition was fired at the view, and catching a portion of the zeal which animated them, he endeavoured to equal them in their efforts. Such, in fact, was the soundness of his judgment, the quickness of his imagination, and the sprightliness of his wit and humour, that in a short time, his manners became so engaging, his deportment so easy and agreeable, and his information so various, refined, and select, as to make him the admiration and delight of every society in which he chose to mingle. The independent fortune bequeathed to him by his father precluded the necessity of studying a profession: hence, possessing the refined wit and humour of a Sterne, together with a voice of the most melodious sweetness and power, his outset in life was a round of pleasurable enjoyHis company was eagerly solicited, and the fair sex vied with his own, in shewing the gratification which his presence every where occasioned.

ments.

At that time, the situation of the country was such as to afford a free scope for those enjoyments: it is

not then surprising, that they were attractive, not only to young and gay, but even to more settled tempers. No taxes to oppress; no cares of government to perplex; no strong excitements for the operations of ambition; a new and opening country pouring content and independence into the laps of its inhabitants; their repose never shaken by the din of arms, nor the violence of the highway or midnight robber; -joy was in every face, and hospitality at every door. The cupidity of English ministers, had not yet cast its baneful glance towards them: the fondness of the parent was not yet changed into the bitterness of hatred, and the hand that once fostered, was not yet raised to shed their blood. The storm, however, from a speck, soon began to lower in the horizon, and those, whose wisdom foresaw its approach, were anxiously revolving the means of warding off its violence.

Among the first who anticipated the evils which a rapacious and unprincipled administration was preparing for the colonies, Richard Henry Lee, the elder brother of Mr. Lee, stood forth with a firmness and zeal, which gave animation to all around him. It was impossible to listen to his eloquence, depicting, in the strong language of an indignant patriot, the policy that desired, under the pretence of raising a revenue, to sacrifice the most precious rights of a free people at the shrine of despotism, without feeling the glow of genuine patriotism thrilling through the frame. Attached as he was, to ease and pleasure, Mr. Lee heard and felt these warning counsels, not

only as a brother, but as one in whose breast the love of country was also a prevailing passion. The song, the dance, the convivial party, began to lose their charms, and gradually to yield to the sterner duties of the citizen.

Mr. Lee now offered himself as a candidate for the county of Loudon, in the province of Virginia, where his lands were situated, and took his seat as a member of the house of burgesses, about the year 1765. Although not gifted with the powers of oratory, his good sense, extensive reading, and sound and discriminating judgment, made him an useful member of the house. In this situation he continued until the year 1772, when he married Rebecca, the second daughter of colonel John Tayloe, of the county of Richmond; and his term of service, as representative of the county of Loudon, having expired, he was elected a member for the county of Richmond, in which, after his marriage, he had permanently established his residence.

The situation of the colonies became daily more alarming. The idea of making them, in all things, subservient to the views and interests of the mother country, was more strongly urged on one side, and more firmly and vigorously opposed on the other. Already had those bold and determined men, whose names will ever stand enshrined in the admiration and applause of Americans, stood forth as champions of their country's liberties and rights. A spirit of resistance to British oppression began to manifest itself in every quarter, and measures were planned

and adopted to make that resistance simultaneous and effective. In all these difficult scenes, Mr. Lee and his brothers took an active and decided part.

Mr. Lee filled no other public station than that of a member of the Virginia assembly, previous to the fifteenth of August, 1775, when, upon the resignation of colonel Bland, he was elected a member of the continental congress, by the convention of Virginia. The year 1775 was one of the most eventful of an eventful period, and might emphatically be said to have tried men's souls. It was in that year that American blood first flowed in defence of American liberty; it was in that year the opposition to British tyranny was embodied by the meeting of a continental congress for the purpose of watching the designs of the British ministry, warning their countrymen of their danger. rousing their energies, and preparing for the approaching conflict;-it was in that year that the great father of his country was chosen to take command of its armies;-and that the addresses to their fellow colonists, to the people of Great Britain, to the king, and to the inhabitants of Quebec, conferred an imperishable fame upon those who originated and adopted papers, so full of wisdom, of virtue, of firmness, and love of liberty. The selection of Mr. Lee, at such a period, to represent his country in such a body, affords conclusive evidence of the high opinion entertained of his abilities and public spirit. Nor were the expectations of his countrymen disappointed; for he appears to have so far enjoyed their

confidence, as to have been successively re-elected to that office on the twentieth of June, 1776, twentysecond May, 1777, and twenty-ninth May, 1778.

Although Mr. Lee was not accustomed to public speaking, and from his earliest entrance in life was addicted more to pleasure than business, yet, when duty urged him to exertion, very few surpassed him in depth of thought, strength of argument, and force of conclusion. He was, therefore, appointed to many of the most important committees of congress, and often filled the chair as chairman of the committee of the whole. But it was his proud and justifiable boast both to have supported and signed an act, full of peril, and with many of doubtful propriety, which called at once for all the courage, and all the patriotism of its supporters-the declaration of independence. His brother and colleague, in consequence of instructions from his constituents, which he had, for some time, been strenuously urging them to adopt, was, from his known wishes on the subject, his powers of elocution, and his unshaken love of liberty, selected to move the mighty question in congress. This he is said to have done with all the strength and force of argument, all the arts of persuasion, and all the splendid anticipations of the grandeur and sublimity of the object to be attained, which the subject demanded. There can be little doubt that brothers so closely attached, patriots so disinterested and firm, politicians so clear sighted and well informed, must have mutually assisted each other in the doubtful