172                     THE OLD MERCHAJVTS
 

CHAPTER XX.

The name of Lee has been found among the com¬
mercial ones of our city almost since its formation.
There are several distinct families, but, if I am not
greatly mistaken, most of them are descended from a
family that came out to Massachusetts with the Pilgrim
Fathers. The Lees in England were an old race for
centuries. Sir Walter Scott, in his novel of " Wood¬
stock," has rendered it immortal in the old loyal knight.
Sir Henry Lee, of Ditchely, and his sweet and gentle
daughter, Alice.

In our own Southern land, Virginia, Lee has been a
famous name. It was borne by great men in the Rev¬
olution, as the house of Lee was altered to that of
Washington. Even now, one of them perhaps holds in
his hand the destinies of a continent, for God alone can
tell who shall be victor when the great battle that is
to be fought within a few months within sight of the
Capital, shall come off. Until Lee and his hosts are
captured or dispersed, there is no use of talking or dream¬
ing that this cruel civil war is over. I now return to
the merchants named Lee, of this city.

Gideon Lee I have written about. He was a leather
merchant; was Alderman and Mayor. There are
others who have been in our city councils — worthy