relics so carefully preserved and arranged—all inspire us with emotions of gratitude and national reverence. Here the mind goes back to days long ago, and feels an irresistible patriotism steal over it. The Desk of Dr. Franklin is sacred to the lover of history, for it is a link in the biography of our nation that binds us to its institutions, and makes us regard with filial respect the cost of the inheritance we are enjoying--a free Republic, "Where, beneath the sway Of mind and equal laws, framed by themselves, There is something grand and suggestive in these old mementos. They speak to us like living oracles, and breathe the true fires of Independence. And why? Because they are representatives of the times which were fruitful in laying the foundation of our national liberty-the period of a virtuous rebellion, which culminated in the disenthralment of our colonial dependence upon the government and exactions of despotic power. Rightfully appreciated, these silent and tongueless relics exert a powerful influence upon the thoughtful student of his country's history, and serve, in no small degree, to direct and invigorate those patriotic impulses which are designed to erect a protecting ægis around the sacred fanes of our country. No one can look upon them without feeling himself in the presence of inspiring genii. A thrill of pleasure comes over us, and we fancy ourselves among the years that were. We partake the spirits of the great men around us, and realize the important characters they assumed, and the deeds they performed in the Revolutionary struggles of the country. The incidents connected with the eventful life of Franklin also rush upon our memories, and we see him in imagination conning over his books and papers beside his old Desk,* with all the gravity of a philosopher, a statesman, and a man of letters. We remember, too, that close by, in a neighboring churchyard, at Fifth and Arch streets, lie the moldering remains of that stern Nestor of Patriots and his wife Deborah, in tranquil repose. The green turf has covered them for years, but the hallowed influences their deeds exert upon mankind, will freshen in eternal bloom upon the altars of our country, and shed a halo of divine radiance along the pathway to honor and national independence. * The history of this Desk is as follows: After the death of Dr. Franklin it came into the possession of Mr. Israel Whelen, Sr., the grandfather of the Messrs. Whelen, Exchange Brokers, on Walnut street above Third. It then passed into the hands of the father of these gentlemen, Mr. Israel Whelen, Jr.-by him it was donated to Mr. Robert Town, at the time a clerk of Mr. W. Jr.; and finally, in turn, it was donated by Mr. Town to his brother, Benjamin Town, the father of the present owner, and in whose family it has been retained nearly half a century. CHAPTER XL. A SINGULARLY HISTORICAL CHAIR. As relics of the olden time, AMONG the most singularly interesting pieces of furniture in Independence Hall, is an imposing Chair, which was manufactured in 1838, by William Snyder, of Kensington, by order of the Commissioners of that District, the year previously. It was designed by John F. Watson of Germantown, commemorative of important events in the History of Pennsylvania, and is made of the following interesting Relics, presented through the politeness of the individuals whose names. are hereto annexed. 1st. A portion of Mahogany from Christopher Columbus's House (the beam) near the City of St. Domingo, built in the year 1496-the first house built in America by European hands. Presented by John F. Watson, Esq. 2d. A portion of the great Elm Tree under which Wm. Penn formed his Treaty with the Indians, in 1682. This treaty was to continue unbroken while creeks and rivers run, and while the sun, moon, and stars endured. The treaty of our land was an after concern, made for Wm. Penn, by the President of the Councils, Thomas Holmes, with Shakhoppoh and |