A FINE CHARACTER 91 



inde]3endence, and strong, natural good feeling towards 

 his fellow-creatures. 



He possessed a fair share of oratory ; could express 

 himself with energy and eloquence, if not with brilliancy ; 

 was of sound understanding, well read in history, more 

 particularly that of his own country, her laAvs and 

 institutions. He was of inflexible purpose, not easily 

 daunted ; but doing all that became a man when circum- 

 stances rendered a decided action necessary. 



As an instance of individual braveiy I may mention, 

 that one evening, nearly at the termination of our 

 meeting, we were suddenly aroused from our discussion 

 by the cry of " Fire ! " proceeding from the street. We 

 all immediately rushed to the front- door, when we found 

 a large ironmonger's shop and house, a few doors down 

 the street, on the opposite side of the way, becoming a 

 prey to the ravages of the flames, which were fast issuing 

 from the windows of the first and second floors. We had 

 not stood lono; o-azino; at the fire, before an alarm ran 

 through the crowd that there was gunpoAvder in the 

 house ; and one of the assistants in the shop came and 

 Avhispered the fact to my friend, who, having ascertained 

 in what part of the house it was deposited, and the 

 quantity, immediately cried out, with a stentorian voice — 

 for that was a gift Dame Nature had liberally bestowed 

 on him, — 



" Will any man go up with me, and bring the powder 

 down ? " 



I was standing by his side, and felt as if the challenge 

 was meant for me ; but my heart sank within me as I 

 contemplated the little chance of success. A few seconds 



