"Thy spirit, Independence! let me share,

Lord of the lion heart and eagle eye!

Thy steps I follow with my bosom bare,

Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky.

Immortal Liberty! whose look sublime

Has blanched the tyrant's cheek in every varying clime."

Hancock was among the first, while yet a young man and in the possession of a large fortune, to strike a blow against the royal oppressors of his native land. His life was declared to be forfeited, by a proclamation of the British Government. But he escaped the fury of a brutal soldiery, to enlist, with ADAMS, OTIS, and other patriots of that day, in the work of prep ring for an armed resistance to foreign aggressions. Immediately after the battle of Lexington, he was chosen President of the Provincial Congress, in Massachusetts; and subsequently to be the successor of Peyton Randolph, of old Virginia, as President of the General Congress, which met at Philadelphia, and issued the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776. On that immortal roll of worthies his name must ever stand conspicuous. The record there made was nobly attested all through his life, and in the hour of his death. Virtuous, modest, courageous, learned, dignified, rich, he gave up all for his country; and has left a name on the pages of history which every

American may well aspire to imitate and be proud to honor.

Coupled with the name of HANCOCK, the subject of our biography bears that of WINFIELD SCOTT. It is a pleasure to be able to record here the fact that the venerable Lieutenant-General acknowledges the compliment paid him, and has repeatedly expressed his deep personal interest in the career of the Pennsylvania boy who still so worthily bears his distinguished name.

CHAPTER II.

HIS BOYHOOD.

"The first sure symptom of a mind in health
Is rest of heart, and pleasure felt at home."

Young.

WB

E must now introduce the reader to the home of Winfield, at Norristown. It was the year 1835. His father was at that time a school teacher, and engaged in fitting himself for the profession of the law. The home of the boy was a good one.

How much is included in these few short words! The true homes of America are its chief glory. They are the only sure social foundations of the Republican temple. In every such country the boys of today, when properly qualified, are the electors of tomorrow. As they decide the franchise, so the destinies of the nation may be decided. An American boy, rightly educated, may justly aspire to any position within the compass of man to attain, or of man to bestow. Hence the incalculable importance of early instruction in America; hence the immense interests

of society and government that cluster around the hearth and shrine of the American home.

Such was the home of Winfield. His parents were sincere Christians. The altar of worship stood like a sanctuary within their doors; and every day their family bowed with them before it. Morning and evening the incense of devotion ascended from that house. Nor did this hallowed home influence stop at the threshold. Impressed on the memory and heart, it went out into the duties of life. It made itself a motive in their thoughts, heard in their voices, and felt in their actions. It was not irresistible; it was not all-controlling; but, like the subtle air, it penetrated to every spot; and even if its presence could not always regulate, it was always acknowledged as able to do so, if its inherent power for good should be allowed free sway.

It was in the domain of such a home as this that Winfield received his earliest impressions of character. The uniform record of him, in his boyhood, is, that he was obedient to his parents, truthful and courteous, cheerful, sociable, and manly.

A gentleman sitting in the office of Winfield's father, heard quite a tumult among the boys in the street. There were shouts and other signs of per

sonal conflict, which drew Mr. Hancock and his friend to the door.

"Come here, my son," said the father, calling out Winfield from the crowd.

The boy immediately obeyed, and came marching directly to the office door, his flushed face turned full on that of his father.

"What is the matter, Winfield?" inquired Mr. Hancock.

Why, that big boy, out there, tried to whip me; and I wasn't going to let him!"

"But he is a great deal larger than you are, my son."

"I know he is, father; but he shan't whip me, for all that!"

It required some skill on the part of Mr. Hancock, aided by his visitor, to convince the lad that it was not his duty to go out and resume the fight, against all odds.

Another domestic scene, of an entirely different character, serves further to illustrate the boy.

Winfield and Hilary had come in together in the evening for, being twins, they were then very seldom separate and found their mother engaged in family affairs that would require her to remain up to