by a guard of officials in antique and grotesque costumes. The dignity of the judges on the bench is sustained by black robes, and great grey wigs, which give to all men alike, the venerable aspect of wisdom, gravity and years. Even the lawyers at the bar wear a characteristic costume, to assist in impressing their clients with a sense of their dignity and importance.

country would awaken Besides, according to

All such things in this only a feeling of ridicule. American ideas, it is not desirable to invest the agents of power with any factitious prestige. If a judge, for example, cannot inspire a sufficient respect for his decisions by the actual weight of his character his justice, his learning, his intrinsic dignity and impartiality-we do not think it worth while to attempt to eke out the deficiency by means of silken robes and a grey wig.

POMP AND PARADE AFFECTED BY LORD BOTETOURT.

Lord Botetourt, notwithstanding his good sense and his other excellent qualities, seems to have entertained the idea of strengthening the impression which he wished to make upon the natives of his province in respect to the majesty and grandeur of the power whose agent and instrument he was, by the pomp and parade which he could display. He

provided himself with a splendid mansion which he called the palace. He affected great state when he appeared in public. He introduced all the forms and ceremonies, in opening the legislative assembly, that are practised in the case of the parliament in England, which, though somewhat tedious and inconvenient, are well enough retained there, since they have come down by regular transmission in that assembly from time immemorial-but which appear ridiculous when introduced anew among such a plain, practical and unpretending body of men as a provincial legislature in a new country. The governor, however, in pursuing this course, only carried out what he knew to be the wish and intention of the government at home. The king himself, when he was coming to America, made him a present of a splendid state coach, and on the opening of the legislature, Lord Botetourt caused himself to be taken to the hall in this coach, drawn by a team of eight milk-white horses, and attended by a gay cavalcade. The people in the street looked curiously upon this pageantry, as it passed, without, however, seeming to be specially overawed by it, while many of the more serious men in the province were much displeased with it.

CONCILIATORY TONE ADOPTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS OPENING MESSAGE.

The governor, in opening the session of the legislature, adopted a very conciliatory tone, and he evinced so cordial a feeling of good will toward the people of the province, and so earnest a desire to promote their prosperity and welfare, that he made an extremely favorable impression upon every one. The assembly, when left to themselves, after receiving the governor's message voted a reply to it, which was of a very respectful and complimentary character. They warmly reciprocated the kind wishes of the governor, and expressed sentiments of firm and faithful loyalty to the king. These civilities having been interchanged, and the session being thus regularly opened, the members set themselves at work in earnest to consider and to act upon the great questions connected with the alarming state of public affairs. The result of their deliberations indicated that neither the imposing show, nor the flattering civilties of the governor, had had the effect of making them swerve from what they considered their duty.

THE VIRGINIA RESOLUTIONS.

A series of resolutions were brought in, in which all the various points of dispute that had arisen