Presently a flash and a distant dull report of a gun attracted my attention, but was unnoticed by the rest of the company.
Another flash and report assured me that the park guns were firing, and at once I called Mr.Wilberforce's attention to the fact.

Running to the window he threw it up in time to see the next flash and hear the report.
Clasping his hands in silence, with the tears rolling down his cheeks, he stood for a few moments perfectly absorbed in thought, and, before uttering a word, embraced his wife and daughters, and shook hands with every one in the room.

The scene was one not to be forgotten." We learn from a letter of his mother's dated June 27, 1815, that the painting of the "Dying Hercules" had at last been received, but that the plaster cast of the same subject was still mysteriously missing.

The painting was much admired, and the mother says:-- "Your friend Mr.Tisdale says the picture of the Hercules ought to be in Boston as the beginning of a gallery of paintings, and that the Bostonians ought not to permit it to go from here.

Whether they will or not, I know not.