Old Virginia and her neighbours

WILLIAM AND MARY. 119was rather late in the day. Finally he connivedat gross insults to the president and friends of thecollege. Among the young men to whom Androsshowed especial favour was Daniel Parke, whosegrandson, Daniel Parke Custis, is now rememberedas the first husband of Martha Washington. Thisyoung Daniel did some things to which posteritycould hardly point with pride. He is described asa " sparkish gentleman," or as some would say aslashing blade. He was an expert with the rapierand anxious to thrust it between the ribs of peoplewho supported the college. His challenges werenumerous, but clergymen could not be reached insuch a way. So " he set up a claim to the pew inchurch in which Mrs. Blair sat, and one Sunday,"as we are told, " with fury and violence he pulledher out of it in the presence of the minister andcongregation, who were greatly scandalized at thisruffian and profane action." ^This was going too far. The stout Scotchmanhad powerful friends in London ; the outrage wasdiscussed in Lambeth Palace ; and Sir EdmundAndros, for winking at such behaviour. Removal ofwas removed. He was evidently a slow- ^^'^°^wittedofficial. His experiences in Boston, withParson Willard of the Old South, ought to havecured him of his propensity to quarrel with aggressiveand resolute clergymen. For two or threeyears after going home. Sir Edmund governed thelittle channel island of Jersey, and the rest ofhisdays were spent in retirement, until his death in1714.^ William and Mary College Quarterly, i. 65.