*In Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.
Foote, in his "Reminiscences," leads us to think highly also of
Key's personal appearance, and of his powers as a public speaker.
Francis Scott Key was the son of John Ross Key, a Revolutionary
officer. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, August,
1780. He studied law, was admitted to the bar at Frederick,
subsequently moved to Georgetown, and was district attorney for
three terms. He was frequently intrusted with delicate missions
by President Jackson. A volume of his poems was published in
1856. He died in 1843, and is buried in the little cemetery at
Frederick, Maryland. Efforts have been made in his native State
to erect a monument over his grave, but unsuccessfully. In
justice such a memorial shaft should be the gift of the whole
American people.
As it is, his grave is not without tributes which are curious and
honorable. During the war Frederick was quietly a "rebel town,"
but it contained one good patriot besides Barbara Frietchie.
This loyal Mr. B----, when he received favorable news from the
Northern army, or whenever his patriotism had need of bubbling
over, regularly made a pilgrimage to Key's grave, and there,
standing at the head of it, exultantly and conscientiously sang
through the whole of Key's song.
On every Decoration Day the grave is covered with flowers, and
the flag which always waves there--the Star-Spangled Banner which
his strained eyes saw on that 14th of September, 1814, rise triumphant
above the smoke and vapor of battle--is reverently renewed.
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