Southern banner. (Athens, Ga.) 1832-1872, July 06, 1833, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Textily ♦ “The fcrinent of a free, is preferable to the torpor of a despotic, C!oTerniueet.» VOL. II. ATHENS, GEORGIA, JULY 6, 1833. NO. 16. $oe tr». From the Edinburg Athcncum. SADNESS. Why is iny spirit sad 1 Because Mis parting each succeeding year, With something that it used to hoi more dear Than ought that now rem ins; Because the past, like a receding s.il, Flits into dimness, and the lonely gale O’er vacant waters reigns ! Why is my spirit sad ? Because no more within iny soul there dwell Thoughts f resh as flowers that fill the mountain dell With innocent delight; Because I am weary of the strife That with hot fever taints the spring of life, Making the day seem night! Why is my spirit sad ? , Alas ! ye did know the lost—the dead, Who loved with me of yore creen paths to tread— The paths of young romance : Ye never s f ood with us ’neath summer skies, Nor saw the rich light of their tender eyes— The Eden of their glance! Why is my spirit sad ? Have not Die beautiful lieen borne away ? Arc mt the noble hearted turned to clay ? Withered in root and stem ? I sec that others, in whose looks arc met The radiant joys of youth, are round me yet, But not—.but not like them ! 1 would not Iks less sad ! My days or mirth arc past. Droops o’er my brow The shoaf of care in sickly paleness now— The present is around me ; Would that the future were both romo and gone, And that I lay where, ’neath a nameless stone, Crush’d feelings could not wound me ! ercllan*. From the New York American. JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE. John Randolph of Roanoke, was too re markable a man while living, not to he an ob ject, new that he has so recently disappeared from tiie scene, of great and general curiosi- tv and interest. We consider ourselves for- tunatc, therefore, in being enabled by the kindness of a friend, who was also an intimate friend of Mr. Randolph, to minister in some degree to the gratification of this interest by n series of numbers, in which some of the pe culiarities, the piquant sayings, the character istic letters, and even the poetry of Mr. Ran dolph, ere embodied. The first number is published to-day, and successive numbers, which will extend to eight or nine, shall appear every other day. Of the authenticity and accuracy of these reminiscences and extracts, our readers may he fully persuaded; for the gentleman who comma.dentes them for publication is known to us as of the strictest honor and truth—tho’ as the friends he often delights could, if we were at liberty to name him, attest, a noted .story teller. It is to be hoped, that some of the late John Randolph’s intimate friends, who possess tho necessary qualifications, will undertake to ' give his biography to the world. He In fact we were not two days together, before I discovered that he was intimately acquaint ed with every part of England, Ireland, and Scotland—not only as to cities and towns, but gentlemen’s country seats; and he knew the history of every celebrated horse-race and of every race-horse in England. He was very fond of displaying his knowledge of the most minute facts on these points, and it was very' agreeable to myself and the other passengers to listen to him. Just before we sailed, the Washington pa pers were received announcing the defeat of the Bankrupt bill by a small majority. At the moment, I forgot that Randolph had been one of its most determined opponents, and I spoke wifli the feelings of a merchant when I said to him—“ Have you heard the very bad news from Washington this morning ?” “No sir,” replied he with eagerness, “ what is it ?”-— “ Why, sir, I am sorry to tell you that the House of Representatives have thrown out the Bankrupt bill by a small majority.”— “ Sorry, sir!” exclaimed he, and then taking ofThis hat and looking upwards, he added most emphatically, “thank God for all His mer cies!” After a short pause he continued, “ how delighted am I to think that I helped to give that hateful bill a kick■—yes, sir, this very day week I spoke for three hours against it, and my friends who forced me to make the effort, were good enough to say that I never had made a more successful speech ; it must have had some merit, sir, for I assure you that whilst I wiis speaking, although the Northern mail was announced, not a single member left his seat to look for letters, a circumstance which had not occurred before •luring the session ?” I endeavored to combat his objections to a Bankrupt Bill subsequently, but of course without any success; he felt as a Planter, and was very jealous of the inllucnce of Mer chants as Legislators. One of our company was an excellent chess play er, and frequently challenged Randolph to a game, but for a long time he refused. “1 have not played at chess, sir,” said he, “ for seventeen years, and cannot recur to the last game I played but with unpleasant feelings, for it lost me a friend for ever. You have heard, I dare say, of my intimacy with Mr. Jell'erson, hut perhaps you don’t know that he , took more pride in his skill at chess than in 1 any thing else—very few indeed, sir, could beat him, and he could not endure defeat. I was aware of this; and had always declined It gave us an ascendency in the councils of the nation, which we are now fast losing.— the glory of Israel is departed.” His three greatest living favorites were Na thaniel Macon, (whom he always called ‘ Un cle Nat,’) Judge Marshalland Mr. Tazewell: even when playing at whist, if any contest arose on the rules of the game,he used playfully to exclaitn-“I’ll leave it to Uncle Nat,and Taze well ; their decisions are law with me.” In speaking of authors, I found that he was a great admirer of Milton; but he did not like Young, Tiiompsoi, Johnson, or South ey. His classification of modern poems was very r curious. “ Sir, I place first on the list, ‘Tom Cribhs Memorial to Congress,’ next, the ‘ Two-penny Post Bag,’and third, < Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage;’ but I can’t go (a favorite expression) Moore’s songs—they are too sentimental.” In looking over his books one day, I discovered ‘ Funny,’ Mr. Halleck’s very amusing satirical poem. “ I am glad,” said I, « that you do not proscribe Yankee poetry' as well as Yankee codfish.” « No replied he, “ I always admire talent, no matter where it comes from ; and I consider this little work as the best specimen of Ameri can poetry that has yet been given to the world. I shall take it to England with me, and present it to the lady whose talents and conversation I shall most admire.” When I afterwards met him in London, I recollected this conversation, and asked—“ Well, Mr. Randolph, who got « Fanny ?” “ Your coun trywoman, Miss Edgeworth; she has no competitor in my estimation.” But, to return to our voyage. He propo sed that we should read « Fanny’ together, to which I willingly consented; and here I must regret that I cannot do justice to his readings—but my memory is at fault. When ever he came to any allusion in the poem, cither personal or political, up went his spec tacles and down went the book, and he intro duced some anecdote to the point, or told some story of his first .visit toNew-York; and in this most entertaining way we took three mornings to get through * Fanny.’ I wish I couid embody the.‘ context’ which he gave to the ‘text’ as he weif along: all I can say is, tha it was worth o! he poem; and I am sure tiiat Mr. iialleck would have been flattered to have such an able commen tator. He showed me his note book, which was a strange medley about horses, slaves, epitaphs, playing with him, because I was his match, ■ pieces cut out of newspapers, receipts, con. until one unfortunate evening, when he touch ed my Virginian pride in so pointed a way I could no longer refuse, and we sat down at the game. I soon cried * check mate,’ and he never forgave me afterwards!” Mr. Randolph had a large box full of books with him which he was taking to England to get bound. I asked him why he had not sent them to Philadelphia or New York for that purpose. “ What, sir,” said he, « patronize our Yankee task-masters, who have imposed first saw the mountains of Donegal, which are farther north. After we had gone some hun dred and fifty miles along the coast, which is very barren to the eye, Mr. Randolph said to me. “ Well, sir, I now believe the Story told by Arthur Young, of a farmer who took his son out walking a few miles distant from his home in the county of Meath ; they pas. sed a tree; the boy stopped and asked, Father, what is that ? never having seen one before ! Here we have been sailing by Ire. land for a whole day, and have not laid eyes on a single tree.” I assisted Mr. Randolph in assorting his papers, books, &c. a day or two before we reached Liverpool, and he insisted upon pre senting me with several of them; but at length he became so very generous, I positive ly refused to receive any more, ' I happened to mention that I hod forgotten in the hur- ry of departure to procure Waite’s State Papers, which had recently been published by order of Congress, for my father, who was fond of all such American publications. “ Sir,” said Mr. Randolph, instantly, “ he shall have my copy.” “ By no means,” replied I; “ you have been too liberal, and I positively refuse to accept another book from you.” “ Pray sir,” rejoined he, in a half-comic, half-serious way—“ do you hold a power of attorney from your father,to take or reject all presents made to him? If you do,produce it: let us see theseal; if not, the question admits of no argument. I do not give you the books, as you dont deserve them—they are your father’s, sir; and if you refuse to take them, I shall find another carrier!” I had previously told him that my grandfather had been very kind to those Americans who visited Cork during the Rev. olutionary war, for which he had received the thanks of Congress, through General Washington, who had also sent him his minia ture likeness in a gold ring, which the family felt very proud of. After the conversation about the books, he sat down and wrote the following letter on his knee, addressed to my father : Amity, at Sea, April 4, 1822. Lat. 54. 30—Long. 13 E. “ Sir : Having had the pleasure of an in troduction to your son by Mr. , of New York, on the morning of our embarkation for Liverpool, I have taken the liberty to order my bookseller at Washington to send to your address a copy of Waite’s State Papers, prin ted by order of Congress. “I am not too young to remember the cap ture of Burgoyne; and most of the subsequent events of our struggle for independence are gressional anecdotes, quotations, &c. &c.— He also kept a regular diary, and could tell at whose house he dined every day in Wash- 1 a \ so indelibly impressed upon mv memory.— ington—who the company were—and the lea- As the countryman of Washington, (for i too ding topics of conversation. Pointing to a -un a Virginian!) I offer these records of the particular date, he said, “ Sir, I shall never , Government-of which he was the founder, to forget a circumstance that occurred at Mr. ’s table. There was a large company, and amongst them a hoary headed debauchee, whose vices had brought him to the verge of the grave. He had the audacity, sir, to call in been too remarkable a character, and has fill- ed too large a space in public estimation, to be passed over merely with a few newspaper sketches, which will soon be lost or forgotten. Such an ardent and devoted admirer of his native Slpte, who always exercised his' bright est talents in her defence, cannot surely long remain without a biographer in Virginia, which still abounds v-ith distinguished men. In the mean time, those who can relate any characteristic anecdotes of Mr. Randolph, may be excused for indulging in such remin- isccnces. It was my good fortune to cross the Atlan tic with him the first time he went to England, and to pass some time with him in London ; and I can unhesitatingly declare, that I never travelled with so entertaining a companion; nor have I ever met with his equal for diver, sitv of knowledge. If my memory were as good as his was, I could write a very amusing such a duty upon foreign books ! never, sir, | question the existence of a dietv—presuming, never ! I will neither wear what they make 1 “ nor eat what they raise, so can get supplies from old En has I can have my books properly bound South of could not avoid exclaiming “ I think, the son of that man who received through him the thanks of Congress, for his humanity and kindness to our poor Aericans during those times. “ The enclosed coat-of-Arms. if pasted in the first volume, will be evidence, unques- title. your father’s obliged fellow your humble servant. JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke, Charlotte county, Virginia.” I may here add, that the said books were forwarded from Washington to New-York and unfortunately put on board the packet ‘ Maso " an d Dixon’s line,’ I shall employ you might better have been silent on that sub. John Bull!” One day at dinner the Captain ject; for judging from appearances, in a very said, “ Mr. Randolph, will you allow me to short time you will have occular proofoftho pow- help you to some codfish!” “No, sir, it er of that God, whose existence you now ques- comes from New-England,” was lus laconic ti on .’ He turned pale With anger, and trem- | s i, ip Liverpool, which was lost in the ice reply. Whenever he praised any northern ■ bled , but made no reply, and the company j her P firet v ‘ every thing went down man, it was always with this limitation—“ he soon afterwards broke up ; but I never agpin is the cleverest man I know, North of the noticed him. Perhaps I was wrong,sir, in cor recting him ; but you know I am ‘ hair trig ger’, I go offat ‘ half cock !’ ” When speaking of his younger days, he used to say that whatever mental advantages he possessed, were owing to the assiduous Potomac!” On Sundays he used to read for us a chap, ter in the Bible or part of the Church service, and once he made an extemporaneous prayer; and he never would permit any reflections to dispell- remarkable vision, which complete! ed the delusions under which lie had surren- bnok of his savings and anecdotes, historical, dcred his faith, and that siuce then he had biographical, political, classical, theological,! been a firm believer in Christianity. He &c., hut as it is not, I can only venture to re- showed me a letter which he wrote immedi- latc a few of the more striking circumstances ately after this illness, addressed to a bosom which occurred whilst we were together. ' Wend in Virginia, in which lie gave a circum- The first time I over saw Mr. Randolph stantial detal of his « conversion,” as he al- was Vne morning on which we embarked in | ways termed it, and he even gave the words be cast upon religion without a very pointed C are of hts mother—and he used to speak of rebuke. He told me that for many years he her in the most glowing terms of filial uffec- had been corrupted by the infidelity which tion, never using her name without the excla- prevailed amongst many of the leading poli- ma ti 0 n of “ My mother—God bless her!” ticians at Washington ; but that ih the year j He made us well acquainted with his fa- 1810, during a severe fit of illness, he had a VO rite slave “ Juba,” whom he daiiy cited for but the passengers and crew, who were sa ved in the long-boat. My father therefore only received the preceding letter, much to his disappointment. the packet ship Amity for Liverpool, March 16, 1822. I was introduced to him by a mutual friend, who casually mentioned, at the moment, that I was an Irishman. Shortly afterwards, Mr. R. came up and addressed me as follows: “I am very happy, sir, to meet with ail Irishman, for I love your country, and admire her sons —and daughters too, sir. Miss Edgeworth is my great favorite. I know her works almost by heart. By the way, perhaps you can solve a difficulty which has often puzzled me in the geography of Ireland. Why is it, sir, that in every map of Ireland I have ever seen, the town of Ballinasloe is placed on the wrong side of the river Suck ?” I could not forbear laughing at the singu larity of the question, whilst I replied—“ as we are to be fellow passengers, Mr. Randolph, 1 may as well confess roy ignorance at once, by declaring that I not only cannot answer your query, but I really was not before aware that there was a river of that name in Ireland, uever having visited Bajlinasloe;” and I then asked—« how came you to know the locali ties of Ireland so minutely ?” “ By books, conversation, and the blessing of a memory, which never forgets any thing,” he replied. which were uttered in his ears by his invisible monitor during the vision. “ This letter,” said he to me, “contains nothing but the truth, strange as it may appear to you, and it would make me miserable to doubt it!” Whilst con versing on this subject, he told me that the late Mr. Pinkney of Baltimore, had assured him, just previous to his death, of his unshak en belief in the truths of Christianity. Of Mr. Jefferson, however, he gave a very differ, ent account, which I can now readily believe, after having after having read his letters, al though at the time (1822) I thought Randolph was too strongly prejudiced against him. From t\e N. Y. American. RANDOLPHIANA—NO. H. Virginia was one of his favorite topics, and the enthusiasm with which he spoke of her was delightful. “ But alas!” he used some times to say, “ the days of her glory are past. Old Virginia is no more 1 . The title of Vir ginia gentleman, which used in my young days, to be our boast, has almost become ob solete, for which we have to thank the repeal of the good old English laws of primogeniture. It was a great mistake sir, made hy our poli ticians, to breakdown our native aristocracy some good quality or another. « He has nothalf the talents of my man Juba sir,” was a fre quent expression, when discussing the merits of a politician whom he disliked. His knowledge of the most important light houses, points of land, latitude and longitude of places, was very great and astonished even our Captain, with whom he made several amusing bets on the subject, which, by the way, he always won. Two or three days before we made the land, we were sitting on deck, whilst the Captain was taking an obser. vation at noon. “ Pray,” said Randolph, “ what is our latitude and longitude now ?”— The captain told him. «« How do we head by the compass ?” This also was told him. “Now Captain.” continued he, “ can you tell me « off the book,’ what land we shall first make, if we continue on our present course !” “ Why” replied the Captain, “ if you show me the chart, I’ll tell you in a minute.” “ Oh no!” exclaimed Randolph, “ you must go by head work—I say we shall hit ‘ Sligo head,’ and I’ll back my opinion by a pipe of wine or Schuydam gin,” a favorite bet with him “ I wont bet any more,” replied the Captain “ but I shall prove you to be wrong by the chart; for I say we shall make the Rfull qf Cantire.” The oha^t was produced—the compass used—-the line drawn, and «by George, ypu’re always right,” shouted the Captain, as the line touched Sligo Head— “ I’ll never contradict any assertion of yours again, Mr. Randolph, upon any poinf.? On the 5th of July we mode the land pbout twelv.e o’clock; but qs the wind varied after. Randolph's prediction about “Sligo Head/’we From the N. Y. American. RANDOLPHIANA NO. III. “ My knowledge of Ireland,” said he to me one morning, “ seems to astonish you as much as it did Mr. Canning’s servant at Washington, the other day. He brought me a note from his master—who, by the way, is a superior man, sir—and as soon as he spoke at once recognised the brogue, and said to him, * You’re from Munster, are you not ?’ I am, plaise your honor,’ replied he, aston ished at the question. * From the county of Clare,I presume?’ ‘Yes sir,’ said he, still more astonished. «What town did you come from ?’ «The town of Ennis, sir,’ * Oh,’ said I laughing, «I know Ennis very well—pray does Sir Edward O'Brien still live at Dromo- land ?’ ‘ He does indeed, sir.’ ‘ And Mr. Stackpool at Edenvale ?’ ‘ And the Knight of Glin on the banks of the Shannon ?’ * Yes sir,’ and then after a pause and a low bow he said, < Might I make bould to ax, sir, how long you lived in Clare V « I never was in Europe,’ said I, * but I hope to be there soon.’ Oh, sir, don’t be afther making a fool of me faith, you’re a bit of an Irishman, for you have the brogue, and you know as much of the country as I do myself, and more too, I’m thinking.’ It was in vain that I assured him I had never seen Ireland—he went away still insisting that I had lived there !” No wonder poor Paddy should have been deceived, when toe on board the ship, both English and Irish, were often made to blush 'by the superior local information that Mr. Randolph possessed, even of the very coun ties in which we were born ! He used to amuse himself with two York shire passengers by speaking in the peculiar dialect of the “ West Riding,” and if they sometimes corrected &ny expressions, would enter, into a regular argument and quote authorities—such as ballads, story books, old songs, dec. to prove that he was 'correct, and in most instances they had to confess that he was right. All this was done the, most perfect good humor, and it affor- ded us a vast deal of amusement; for he would enter into those discussions with as much apparent zeal as if he were speaking on the Tariff bill in Congress ! One day I asked him who was his favor, ite candidate lor the Presidency after Mr. Monroe’s time would expire ? “ Why, Sir,” replied he, “ if it had not been for his wrong vote on the Missouri question, I should at once say Rufus King; he is the best man north of the Potomac, and a gentleman, too, of the old school; and best of all, sir, an honest man—rather a scarce article' now among politicians. A sad mistake, sir, he made on that question; but he thought he was right, and I esteem him still* but he will not now do for President. The New Eng. land men, sir, would rob us of our patrimoni. al oaks, and they are trying to obtain some.of our patrimonial acres also ; but it will not an. swer, sir. Old Virginia lias some strength left yet, and we must therefore get a south- era man for President!” He was very free in expressing his opin- ions of all the great political characters, both living and dead, and his satire was cutting Sometimes he amused us by repeating parts of his speeches in Congress* on important subjects, especially on the late War and the Bankrupt Bill, both of which he opposed most violeutly. Once or twice during the voyage he lost bis temper, but generally speaking he was i:i good humor and full of spirits, and contributed greatly to our amusement. I re gretted very much that we had to part in Li verpool, but wc agreed to 'meet again during the summer in London. In the month of June business took me to London, and my father accompanied me. immediately called at Mr. Randolph’s lodg ings, and was glad to find him in town. The oext day-1 introduced him to my father, who was greatly pleased with him. In the course of our conversation he suddenly rose from liis chair, and said in his most imposing man ner—“ Sir, l have lately seen the , greatest away curiosity in London—ay, and in England too —compared to which, Westminster Abbey, the Tower, Somerset House, Waterloo Bridge, and Parliament itself, sink into utter insignificance ! Yes, sir, I have seen Eliz abeth Fry in Newgate, and have witnessed the miraculous effects of true Christianity upon the most depraved of human beings— bad women—who are ivorse, if possible, than |the Devil himself; and yet Mrs. fry has ab solutely tamed them into subjection, and they weep repentant tears whenever she addresses them. Nothing but religion could effect this ; and what can be a greater miracle than the conversion of a degraded woman, taken from the dregs of society ; and you must also see this wonder. Come, sir, this is her morning for visiting the prisoners, and we shall be just in time. I will introduce you, as she has permitted me to bring my friends with me, We immediately ordered a carriage and drove to Mrs. Fry’s house, but found to our disappointment that the .death of a relative had suddenly called her to the country, Subsequently I had an opportunity of ac companying her to Newgate, and the scene which I there saw fully justified Mr. Ran dolph’s description of it. Some time afterwards I dined with Mrs. Fry at her country seat near London, and Mr. Randolph’s name was mentioned at ta ble. “ He is a singular character,” said one of her daughters to me ; “we had quite an amusing note from him the other day. My mother requested me to'write a note of invi : tation to dinner to him, and in it I apologized for naming so unfashionably early an hour asfour o'clock. His reply was as follows : “ Mr. Randolph regrets that a prior en gagement will deprive him of the pleasure of dining with Mrs. Fry on Thursday next. No apology, however, was necessary for the hour named in her note, as it is two hours later than Mr. R. is accpstomed to dine in Virginia, and he has not yet been long enough in Lon don to learn how to turn day into night, and vice versa.” I should mention that the fashionable din ner hour was 8 o’clock, which Mr. Randolph disliked very much, and frequently protested against. Very soon after he arrived in London, he be- came acquainted with Lord L , who in troduced himself to him one night under the gallery of the House of Commons. His Lordship told me afterwards that he had ne ver met with so well-informed a gentleman on all subjects of History, Belles Lettres, Bi- ography, die., “ and sir,” said he, “ what most astonished .me was his intimate local knowledge of England and Ireland—I thought I knew them well, but I was obliged to yield the palm to Mr. Randolph. I was so deligh ted with his conversation, that-I was deter mined to pay a compliment which I knew would gratify his Virginia pride. Without mentioning to him my intention, I solicited permission from the Lord Chancellor to in troduce Mr. Randolph into the House ofLords, at the private entrance near the Throne; and having obtained it,' I desired the doorkeeper to admit him (Whenever he presented himself the same as if he were a Member of the House. I am a High Tory, sir,, but I wor ship talent even in a Republican: and, I as sure you, it gave mfe great pleasure to shew tllis mark of distinction to your American friend.” I know I very much envied him this priv ilege on the night of the debate on Mr. Can- nieg’s Romqn Catholic Peers’ Bill.” The House of Lords was excessively crowded, and had to wait for nearly two hours before I could obtain admission. into the space below the bar; and just as I squeezed myself through the doorway, nearly suffocated, I espied John Randolph leisurely walking in, at the other door, surrounded bv Canning, Lord Londonderry, Sir Robert Peel, and ml ny other distinguished members of the House of Commons. He did not take any letters of introduction with him from this country. I asked him, one day, why he had refused them. “ Be- cause, sir,” replied he, “l go to England to see, and not to be seen—to hear, and not to be heard.” He became, however, one of the lions of the day, and his company was much sought after. At the' splendid ball given for the benefit of the Irish poor, under the pa'ronage of the King and royal family, Lord London, derry singled out i\lr. Randolph, and stood by him for a considerable time, pointing out to his notice all the distinguished characters, both mule and female, as they passed in re- view before them. “Your countryman, sir,” said he to me a few days afterwards, “ is a most accomplish ed gentleman. Who could ever suppose that so fascinating an exterior covered so much deceit? I admire his polite manners, but detest his politics!” A very distinguished member of Parlia ment brought Mr. Randolph and Miss Edge- worth together at his breakfast table, and he told me that he had never enjoyed so rich an intellectual treat before. To use his own. words, “ spark produced sprj-k, and for three hours they kept up the fire until it ended in a perfect blaze of wit, humor and repartee. Mr. Randolph knew Miss Edgeworth’s works better than she did herself, for immediate quotations; and we were all exceedingly astonished by his intimate acquaintance with Ireland and Irish- manners. Lady T. and myself did nothing but listen, and I was really vexed when some public business called me i” ’ * I was with Randolph one morning soon afterwards, when he received a most friend, ly note from Miss Edgeworth, written in the familiar Style. I begged of him to give it to me as a keepsake. “ Give that note to you !” said he with emphasis—“why, 1 would not part with it for half my estate !” One day we dined together at the Marquis L.’s,where we met several distinguished char acters, and amongst them were Professor Smythe of Cambridge, and Sir John Newport. The hour mentioned on the card of invitation was quarter past seven. I said to Randolph that we need not reach the house much before 8. “ Sir,” replied he, “ I always comply liter ally with the terms of an invitation—we must be there at the time specified.” We went accordingly ; and, as I had pre dicted, there was nobody in the parlor, nor had the Marquis yet reached home from the House of Lords. However, by and bye, the Marchioness, a very lovely woman, made her appearance, and Randolph apologized for our republican punctuality, In a short time the rest of the company joined us, and at 3 o’clock we sat dpwn to an excellent dinner. The conversation . became very animated, and took a political turn. Randolph was question ed closely on American affairs, and amused them very much by his replies. He expos- ed what he termed the sad degeneracy of Old Virginia, and became quite pathetic,, in mourning over the abolition of the laws of primogeniture. Some of the company thought this a strange complaint from a republican; and, before we separated, they really had nearly mistaken Randolph for an Aristocrat! Professor Smythe was so much interested in the conversation, that he walked home with us after the party broke up, and remained at our lodgings until 2 o’clock in the morning, endeavoring to procure as much particular information as he could about American in stitutions. When he had gone I could not avoid telling Randolph that I was the best re publican of the two, and I laughed at him for having played the aristocrat so well. The Professor gave us a warm invitation to visit him at Cambridge, which Mr. Randolph sub. sequently availed himself of, but I was pre vented by business from accompanying him. He afterwards told me . that he was delighted with his visit to that classical city, where he became acquainted with several learned men. I visited most of the curiosities of London with him, and derived great advantage from his intimate knowledge of every thing. We always dispensed with the show.meo and guides, as he much preferred to act in that capacity himself, and I willingly paid them the fees for his services. He had a curious fashion of leaving his card, * Randolph of Roanoke,’ wherever we entered, whether it was Westminster Abbey among the monu ments, or at the top of St. Paul s; and I ne ver could exactly understand his motive- some strange piece of vanitv ! Pleasure anj> Business.—Pleasure and business contrast, and give u relish to each other, like day and night; the constant vi- cisitudes of which, are far more delightful than any uninterrupted half year of either.— To pass life in the most agreeable manner, one ought potto be so much a man. of pleas, ure as to postpone any necessary business; not so much a man of busin ess as to despise elegant amusement. A proper mixture of both forms a more infallible specific against tedium and fatigue, than a constant regimen of the most pleasant of the two.

Georgia Historic Newspapers

Southern banner. (Athens, Ga.) 1832-1872, July 06, 1833, Image 1