Shortly after Chief Justice Chase had gone for the first time
to Washington, he was returning to the West. The train stopt
at a little station in Virginia, and he was informed that it
was the birthplace of Patrick Henry. He immediately left the
car and stood upon the platform, admiring the magnificence of
the scenery that opens before the traveler. He said, “What an
atmosphere! What a view! What glorious mountains! No wonder that
Patrick Henry grew here.” One of the natives, who was standing
by his side, quietly replied, “Yes, sir; but as far as I have
heard, that landscape and those mountains have always been here;
but we haven’t seen any more Patrick Henrys.”
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