citizens of her own, who took part in the responsibility of that Declaration. Nearly all the States have taken some measures in regard to this National shrine, and have decided to assist in its erection. So that, in all probability, the work of its erection will commence at no distant day, and be prosecuted vigorously to completion. CHAPTER V. THE OLD STATE HOUSE BELL. "The old State House Bell-time-hallow'd Bell- WHOEVER has visited Independence Hall for the purpose of contemplating those relics of the past which are here preserved, and to muse on associations surrounding this holy shrine, must have felt an indescribable and irresistible reverence gently take possession of his meditations, while standing beside that greatest of all orators the world ever knew or heard― "the OLD STATE HOUSE BELL!" Its tongue is now still, and its voice is silent; its sides look dark and heavy, and a perceptible corrosion is indicated by chemical action of the atmosphere on its surface-but the peals it thundered over the land on the Fourth of July, 1776, ring with as much potency-excite as deep patriotism-awaken as strong emotions-fill the soul with as fervent love of country-inspire as holy sentiments—and thrill with as warm a glow the children of those noble patriots whose deeds gave direction to its voice, as when it proclaimed "Liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof!" Its vibrations still reverberate through the room in which it is placed the air is yet tremulous with its echoes; although the hand that rung it on that memo rable occasion is stiff in the icy embrace of deaththe gray-headed patriot who anxiously awaited with trembling hope in the belfry the signing of that Declaration, whose ejaculations-"They'll never do it! They'll never do it!" whose eyes dilated, whose form expanded, and whose grasp grew firmer when the voice of the blue-eyed youth reached his ears in shouts of triumph-" Ring! RING! they have signed, and our country is free!" has been long since gathered to his fathers—the events of that day will commemorate his honor to all coming time. No patriot can look upon this bell without recalling the circumstances connected with its first proclamation to the world, that the United Colonies were "free and independent States." No patriot can fail to recall to his memory the effect which that announcement produced on the anxious multitude below. To some, it gave the first thrill of enthusiastic resistance to despotic power-to some it was a harbinger of joy—to others it imparted strength in the hour of gloom-to others again, it was a messenger of evil, causing them to sneak away, muttering as they did so-" Well, we are in a pretty mess of trouble now!" But the same patriot, passing over the history of five years, will also remember in connection with these facts, that on the 23d of October, 1781, in the boding hour of night, a very different proclamation was heard in the same vicinity:-" Past twelve o'clock, and Cornwallis is taken!" Then might be seen mothers, and daughters, and sisters, and brothers, hastening to the windows, in dreamy abstractions of delight, joyfully exclaiming, "Who is taken ?" while the watchman plodded on his way, shouting continually, "Why, Cornwallis! he was taken by Washington and La |