Many of the ablest and most judicious members had addressed the House in vain, and there was nothing but confusion and disorder in prospect.
The fourth day opened, and still confusion was triumphant.

But the hour of disenthrallment was at hand, and a scene was presented which sent the mind back to those days when Cromwell uttered the exclamation--"Sir Harry Vane! wo unto you, Sir Harry Vane!"-- and in an instant dispersed the famous Rump Parliament.
Mr.Adams, from the opening of this scene of confusion and anarchy, had maintained a profound silence.

He appeared to be engaged most of the time in writing.

To a common observer, he seemed to be reckless of everything around him--but nothing, not the slightest incident, escaped him.

The fourth day of the struggle had now commenced; Mr.Hugh H.Garland, the Clerk, was directed to call the roll again.
He commenced with Maine, as was usual in those days, and was proceeding toward Massachusetts.