esume
I need do no more concerning its application to Lord Orrery, Sir Robert
Walpole, &c., than say, it was used as signifying "men of mark," without
intending to endorse their "worth" either morally, mentally, or
politically; its application to Colonel Hill and Colonel Byrd, as meaning
"men of worth," might, did your limits permit, be defended on high grounds.

Then as to the possibility of Vandyke's having painted the portraits. If C.
will have the kindness to look at C. Campbell's _History of Virginia_, he
will find,--

"1654. At a meeting of the Assembly, William Hatchin, having been
convicted of having called Colonel Edward Hill 'an atheist and
blasphemer,' was compelled to make acknowledgment of his offence upon
his knees before Colonel Hill and the Assembly."

This Colonel Hill, generally known as Colonel Edward Hill the Elder, a
gentleman of great wealth, built the mansion at Shirley, where his
portrait, brought from England, hangs in the same place, in the same hall
in which he had it put up. It represents a youth in pastoral costume, crook
in hand, flocks in the background. By a comparison of dates, C. will find
it possible for Vandyke to have painted it. (See Bryan's _Engravers and
Painters_.) It has descended, along with the estate, to his lineal
representative, the present owner. Its authenticity rests upon _tradition_
coupled with the foregoing facts, as far as I know (though the family may
have abundant documentary proof), and I doubt very much whether many
"Vandykes in England" are better ascertained. I would add that several
English gentlemen, among them, as I have heard, a distinguished ambassador
recently in this country, recognised it as a Vandyke. This picture, amongst
others, was injured by the balls fired from the vessels which ascended the
James river, under command of General Arnold, then a British officer. On
the younger Mr. Hill's tomb at Shirley is a coat of arms, a copy of which,
had I one to send, would probably point out his family in England.[2]

As to Colonel Byrd's portrait. There were, I believe, three gentlemen of
this name and title, more or less confounded in reputation, the second of
whom, generally known as "Colonel Byrd the Elder," by reason of his son's
history, was born in 1674. The picture is of his _father_, that is, of
"old," or "the first Colonel Byrd," and is in the same style as that of
Colonel Hill's, representing a shepherd lad. He was an English gent