patriot at the commencement of the revolution, associating with a number of mechanics who watched with a vigilant eye every movement of the British, and promptly communicated intelligence to the proper authority. In the evening preceding the 19th of April, 1775, Colonel Revere was one of the first who discovered that a British detachment was ordered on an expedition into the country, and with the utmost despatch repaired to Lexington, spreading the alarm among the militia, and giving notice to Messrs. Hancock and Adams, who were then at the house of the clergyman in that town, that they might escape the impending danger. Colonel Revere was afterwards appointed to command a regiment of artillery in the militia, and was on the unfortunate Penobscot expedition in the summer of 1779. He was through life, esteemed for unimpeachable integrity, attachment to correct political principles, and as a useful citizen. He died in Boston, in 1818, in his eighty fourth year.

Dr. John Thomas is a respectable regimental surgeon. He possesses a remarkable faculty of mimicry, and no person in New England can tell a yankee story with more genuine humor. An occurrence at head quarters is thus related by a gentleman who was present. General Washington seldom smiles, I never saw him laugh but once, it was after the preliminaries of peace were signed, and at a yankee story told by Dr. Thomas. The doctor being invited to dine at head quarters, one of the aids requested the general's permission for him to repeat the dialogue between two New England men who had visited the French camp. In doing this he repeated quaint speeches and remarks in a manner so inimitably ludicrous that no one but his Excellency could contain his gravity. At length he added, "what, said Jonathan, do you think Chambeau's soldiers call a hat? the tarnation fools, they call it a chappeau, why, and be darn'd to them, can't they call it a hat

and adone with it." The general could no longer refrain, he burst into a fit of laughter. There is not perhaps another man who can boast of exciting laughter in General Washington.

Captain Houdin, commonly pronounced Udang, is a Frenchman of singular manners and character, and ludicrous in his personal appearance, being rather tall but slender; his features are sharp and irregular, complexion dark, with small jet black eyes. His long hair is brought in a braid to the top of his head, which is constantly covered with powder; he is never seen without his small sword, nor in conversation without a display of vanity and affectation. He converses in broken English, with rapid articulation, often perverting words from their legitimate meaning. Dr. Thomas and Udang have at command an inexhaustible fund of merriment and humor, and Udang once said to the doctor, "you can take me off better than I can myself." On a return from Boston, in 1780, he related some incidents that occurred to him, which have frequently been repeated to aid in festive mirth. Some wag knowing his vanity and affectation of consequence, had employed a negro wench to make a familiar address to him in some public place. This was a severe mortification, and destroyed all the comforts of his visit. In answer to an inquiry how he liked Boston, this vexation was uppermost in his mind. "I like Boston very well all but one d-d madam nig." On being pressed further he related the particulars with all the action and irritation that the reality occasioned. One gentleman said to me, will you take a walk to the market-twas one very fine market-de poult, de geese, ebery ting-one very fine assortiment-dere it was I hear somebody say behind, How do you do, Captain Udang, I look round, one black bish say again, making reverence, I hope you be well, Captain Udang?' Who be you speak to me in de market. You forget, she say, I was your sweetheart

in '77. Hol yo tongue, you d-d rascal bish. You speak to me in de market, when I am wid gentlemen, I cut off your head, I will you rascal wench. I was so asham, I put de hat over my eyes and run right home tro five tousand people. Next day some gentlemen tell me, who own the black bish dat spoke to me in de market, and advise me to tell de mistress. I go to the house and knock, knock-by by door open, How do you do, Captain Udang,-de same black bish rascal dat spoke to me in de market-who own you tell yo mistress one gentleman officer wish to see her. Madam, say I, do you own dat d-d madam nig, dat spoke to me in de market. She say, if you had not been too familiar with my negro wench, she would not spoke to you in de market, I say you be one d-d rascal yourself, madam.

There is among many good anecdotes related of monsieur one that shows the simplicity of the man and is characteristic of the times. Before and at the period of the adoption of the federal constitution great excitement existed in many parts of the country against many of its leading provisions, much mischief was predicted and the irritated spirit of party could discern nothing but the most odious features and destructive tendencies. Houdin, on whom principles and opinions set rather loosely, was a zealous anti-federalist. After the new government was adopted, he was among the first to apply to the war department for an office. With no very favorable indication in his manner, General Knox inquired, do you expect patronage under that system of government that you have every where assailed? "Ah, general," says monsieur, I "tot it was popular, I meant noting." This honest simplicity availed him with the frank and generous mind of Knox, more than a hypocritical canting affectation of patriotism. He received the appointment of conductor of military stores, which he held till his death.

APPENDIX.

Note I.-See Page 122.

General Burgoyne, in his defence, after his arrival in England, as commander of the northern expedition, has paid a just tribute of praise to American bravery. Adverting to the action of the 19th of September, he says, "few actions have been characterized by more obstinacy in attack or defence. The British bayonet was repeatedly tried ineffectually. Eleven hundred British soldiers foiled in these trials, bore incessant fire from a succession of fresh troops, in superior numbers, for above four hours; and after a loss of above a third of their number, and in one of the regiments above two thirds, forced the enemy at last. Of a detachment of a captain and forty eight artillery men, the captain and thirty six men were killed or wounded. The tribute of praise due to such troops, will not be wanting in this generous nation." His observations respecting the action of the 7th of October, are expressed in the following energetic and feeling language. "The losses in the action, were uncommonly severe. Sir Francis Clark, my aid de camp, had originally recommended himself to my attention, by his talents and diligence. As service and intimacy opened his character more, he became endeared to me by every quality that can create

esteem. I lost in him a useful assistant, an amiable companion, an attached friend; the state was deprived by his death, of one of the fairest promises, of an able general.

"The fate of Colonel Ackland, taken prisoner, and then supposed to be mortally wounded, was a second source of anxiety. General Frazer was expiring.

"In the course of the action, a shot had passed through my hat, and another had torn my waistcoat. I should be sorry to be thought at any time, insensible to the protecting hand of Providence; but I ever more particularly considered a soldier's hair-breadth escapes as incentives to duty, a marked renewal of the trust of being, for the due purposes of a public station; and under this reflection, to lose our fortitude, by giving way to our affections, to be diverted by any possible self-emotion, from meeting a present exigency with our best faculties, were at once dishonor and impiety.

General Frazer died of his wounds on the 8th inst. Before his death, he requested that his body might be carried, without parade, by the officers of his own corps to the great redoubt and there buried. About sun set the corpse was carried up the hill, and necessarily passed in view of both armies. Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, and Reidesel placed themselves in the humble procession. As General Gates was not made acquainted with the intended solemnity, a constant cannonade was kept up, by our people directed to the hill, where the ceremony was per formed. From the pen of General Burgoyne, we have the following eloquent delineation of the melancholy scene. "The incessant cannonade during the solemnity, the steady attitude, and unaltered voice, with which the clergyman officiated, though frequently covered with dust, which the shot threw up on all sides of him; the mute, but expressive mixture of sensibility and indignation on every countenance; these objects will remain to the last of life