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thing about the room teems with historical reminiscences. Every relic in this sacred Fane has some historical peculiarity worthy of our profound veneration. Yet, thousands upon thousands visit Independence Hall-pass hours in looking at and examining the relics there, more from idle curiosity than otherwise, and consequently return to their homes little better versed in the histories connected with them than they were before. The principal reason for this is, they can obtain nothing to aid them in acquiring the information they may need in this respect. For the purpose, therefore, of obviating this disadvantage, and, in order to furnish an authoritative history of Independence Hall, with accurate descriptions of all its contents, we have placed before the public, in this work, the result of many years' labor among the dusty records of past incidents respecting Independence Hall. We have not sought to make it a mere GuideBook--the magnitude of interests which all feel in this, the Mecca of our country's greatness, forbade us adopting such a plan-our object has been to give it a high-toned national character; to place in the hands of our patriotic countrymen facts connected with the causes that led to the prosperous condition of our free and happy land—and to inspire a deeper love for the sacred Temple wherein our nation's infancy was cradled and defended. In the prosecution of this arduous task, we have consulted sufficient standard authorities to give our work reliable accuracy in every particular, and we return our thanks to such friends as have aided us-likewise are we indebted to Mr. Lossing, for many facts concerning the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The places which beneficent spirits have sanctified remain hallowed to all time; and, while we contemplate the Hall where the actors in the great drama of the Revolution performed their most stupendous work, we feel the force of the language of Horace, Privatus illis census erat brevis, commune magnum, and bow meekly in adoration to their exalted virtues. D. W. BELISLE.

Camden, N. J.

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INDEPENDENCE HALL:

ITS HISTORY AND ASSOCIATIONS.

INTRODUCTORY.

"Our country's welfare is our first concern:

He who promotes that best, best proves his duty."
Harvard's Regulus.

"THE places sanctified by beneficent spirits," says Schiller, "remain hallowed to all time"-they are still sacred, though invaded by robbers. They are invested with associations calculated to inspire the thoughtful with sentiments of veneration-to awaken feelings of patriotism-to strengthen researches after historical incidents, and to revitalize heroes and statesmen whose actions gave character to the scenes of their exaltation, and the ages in which they flourished. Thoughts obtrude on the reflective mind, and peculiar emotions swell the heart, as sensitively refined patriots and scholars contemplate fields whereon heroes struggled, and on which victories have been achieved. To such the powers of local association address themselves with awful impressiveness. It was this that led Cicero, when he visited Athens, to exclaim: "Shall I

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ascribe it to a law of our nature, or to a delusive habit of mind, that, when we look upon the scenes which illustrious men of old frequented, our feelings are more deeply excited than even by hearing the record of their deeds, or perusing the works of their genius? Such are the emotions I now experience, when I think that here Plato was accustomed to discourse; these gardens around me not only recall the idea of that sage to my memory, but place, as it were, his very form before my eyes. Here, too, Speusippus taught― here Xenocrates-here his disciple Polemon: this is the very seat he used to occupy."

Similar emotions seized the feelings of Dr. Johnson when he arrived at Icolmkill, in his "Tour to the Western Islands." A retrospective view of the incidents which had occurred around him in ages far remote, elicited the beautiful sentiment: "We are now treading upon that illustrious Island which was once the luminary of the Caledonian regions, whence savage clans and roving barbarians derived the benefits of knowledge and the blessings of religion. To abstract the mind from all local emotion would be impossible if it were endeavored, and foolish if it were possible. Whatever withdraws us from the power of the senses-whatever makes the past, the distant, or the future, predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings. Far from me and from my friends be such frigid philosophy as may conduct us, indifferent and unmoved, over any ground which has been dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue. That man is little to be envied, whose patriotism would not gain force on the plain of Marathon, or whose piety would not glow warmer among the

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