A tail, elegant, and sentimental looking person sat near to them, in an attitude of interested attention, listening to the speaker, to whom, it seemed, he was about to reply.  It was Thomas Addas Emmet, the son of the state physician of Ireland—­then a young lawyer of great promise, and now the Attorney-General of New York.  The handsome and animated Dr. Mackenna, one of the most popular writers of the day, and Oliver Bond, the representative of the most reputable class of merchants, had grouped forward their intelligent heads; while one who brought no personal beauty to the cause (that letter of recommendation to all causes), James Napper Tandy, stood waiting with a packet of letters, which he had received in his former quality of secretary to the meeting.

While other leaders of the Union distinguished for their birth, talents, or principles (and it is remarkable that they were all protestants), filled up the seats near the head of the table; more mixed groups less distinguished by the beau sang, which then came forth, in the fine forms of the genuine Irish gentry of both sects, were congregated in the obscurity of the bottom of the room—­Lady Morgan’s O’Briens and O’Flahertys.

* * * * *

STORY OF RICHARD PLANTAGENET, SON OF RICHARD III.

It was on this awful night (the night preceding the battle of Bosworth Field), according to a letter which I have read from Dr. Thomas Brett to Dr. William Warren, president of Trinity-hall, that the king took his last farewell in his tent of Richard Plantagenet, his natural son, who himself thus describes that interview:—­“I was boarded with a Latin schoolmaster, without knowing who my parents were, till I was fifteen or sixteen years old; only a gentleman, who acquainted me he was no relative of mine, came once a quarter and paid for my board, and took care to see that I wanted for nothing.  One day this gentleman took me and carried me to a great fine house, where I passed through several stately rooms, in one of which he left me, bidding me stay there.  Then a man richly dressed, with a star and garter, came to me, asked me some questions, talked kindly to me, and gave me some money.  Then the fore-mentioned gentleman returned, and conducted me back to my school.

“Some time after, the same gentleman came to me again with a horse and proper accoutrements, and told me I must take a journey with him into the country.  We went into Leicestershire, and came to Bosworth Field, and I was carried to king Richard’s tent.  The king embraced me, and told me I was his son.  ‘But, child,’ said he, ’to-morrow I must fight for my crown.  And assure yourself if I lose that, I will lose my life too; but I hope to preserve both.  Do you stand on yonder hill, where you may see the battle out of danger, and when I have gained the victory, come to me; I will then own you to be mine, and take care of you.  But