THE CRISIS OF THE REVOLUTION.
CHAPTER I.
New York to
King's Ferry—Safety.
The aspiring youth that fired the Ephesian dome
Outlives in fame the pious fool that reared it.
Coi,i,by Cibber—Richard III.
S'
KIP HOUSE.
OMBTHING like Cibber's cynical words might be
applied to the men of the Revolution. Many a
brave patriot is less remembered than Arnold,
and distinguished British officers than Andre. Of the
latter's prototype in misfortune, the heroic Nathan Hale,
Thacher, the Revolutionary surgeon, quoting Hannah
Adams' History of New England, says: " Whilst
almost every historian has celebrated the virtues and
lamented the fate of Andr6, Hale has remained un-
noticed,1 and it is scarcely known that such a character ever existed;" and
Fenimore Cooper says, | Arnold has acquired a notoriety that promises to be
as lasting as that of Brostratus."
The reason for this is not far to seek. Hale's story is exceedingly brief,
and almost entirely lacking in details, while Andre's is just the reverse.
Hence it has always been invested with a peculiar degree of interest, height-
ened by the personal and social attractions which he possessed to such an
extent as won friendship and admiration from enemies no less than friends.
It is no part of my plan to repeat the familiar story of how Arnold, the
hero of Quebec and Saratoga, came to plan the surrender of West Point and
the betrayal of his country, to which in 1778, only two years before, he had
solemnly sworn allegiance. Nor shall I give any detailed account of Andr6's
life. Both are to be had in general histories and other works easily accessible to the reader.
11 am glad to know that a gentleman in New York has long been gathering materials for a new life of Hale,
which may be published in two or three years.
