Stanza 53.—Doctor Wm. James McNeven.—One of the ablest and purest of the banished Irish patriots of ’98. His excellent personal character, without reference to political antecedents, insured him a warm reception in New York, and soon placed him among the most cherished of her adopted citizens. His monument stands in St. Paul’s Churchyard, New York, near that of his friend Thomas Addis Emmet.
Doctor Quackenbos, in spite of his name, a young physician in good repute.
“The Forum.”—A society of young and promising lawyers and others emulating the “Speculative Society” of Edinburgh. Their meetings for debate were public, and drew flattering and fashionable audiences.
Stanza 54.—Doctor John L. Graham.—The Nestor of the New-York bar. His legal merits had gained him the diploma of Doctor of Laws. He was among the last of the gentlemen of the “old school,” and remarkable for the courtesy and dignity of his manners.
Stanza 55.—Doctor George T. Horne.—An advertising physician of New-York City. The motto at the head of his advertisements was “Salus Populi Suprema Lex.”
Stanza 60.—Samuel Wordsworth, etc.—Popular authors of the period, then and previously beginning and honorable literary career.
Stanzas 64 and 65.—“General Laight’s Brigade of State Militia.”—A “corps d’armée” quite distinct from the uniformed volunteer companies of the time, and one that Falstaff “would not march through Coventry with.” Its officers were the young aristocracy of the city, but its soldiers were men or boys, who, either from choice or necessity, declined paying a fine of twenty-five dollars for non-attendance on parade days—three times a year—the penalty imposed by the then existing militia law.
Stanza 66.—Monsieur Charles.—The travelling magician and conjurer of the time.
Ambrose Spencer.—Then Chief Justice of the State, a judge universally respected for integrity and ability in the discharge of his official duties, but accused by his political opponents of exercising in party politics a controlling power injurious to their interests.
Mead’s “Wall Street,” a drama whose characters were designed to be played by stock actors only.
