Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-06-01
VIRGINIA ARGUS.
Ne disputes jamais, ct souuent dtscute
Richmond, June l. 1916.
AN EXTRACT.


or small volume of Letters written by ma
tive of France, in the course ofa journey through
he u States, during the year 1914, and publish.
co at Paris, in May 1915, is before us The events
of the ensuing month, it would appear, threw in.
10 the back ground that modest production The
character given by the British to their last Anne.
rican war was painted by the author in colours
90 faithful to please either the Bourbons, or
those to whom, after God, they have declared
themselves indebted for their restoration Timid
booksellers, therefore, consigned to oblivion the
letters here alluded to. One copy however has
fund its way to our hands; and we translate
from IT the subjoined narrative, connected with
an epoch never to be forgotten by Vlrginians.
=" About the middle of August, finding the
temperature of the lower country, scarcely en-.
durable, and having now sufficiently explored
that portion of Virginia where the first settle
ments were made, and which still retains many
vestges of its once flourishing and splendid con.
dition, especially, in that unbounded, cordial,
prmeval hospitality which vet characterizes The
wealthy planters on the banks of the James, the
Rappahanoc, the Potomac, and their branches,
resolved upon an excursion beyond the Blue
Ridge had no particular spot in view: ira
yelled inquest more elevated regions of more
sslubrious atmosphere, of scenes more pictures
que, and issuing, as it were, from the plastic
hands ofnature sought likewise state of 50.
c.ety still exhibiting the amable simplicity of
patriarchal manners, the unalloyed purity of re-
publican virtues, and something like the harmo-
nc and regular features Of national character
|, therefore, proceeded westwardly--not, indeed,
IN straight direction, like one who journeys
merely to- arrive, but rather in zig-zag line,
analogous 20 my objects, & in perfect accordance
with the eccentricities of mind some What in
clIned to the romantic. The circumstance of my
travelling en- horseback greatly favored my taste.
Whatever appeared fraught with amusement or
instruction, whatever promised to afford pleasing
employment for my pencil, or interesting matter
tor my pen--a fine landscape-a curious mineral
"a rare plant-and, above all, neat farm where
innocence, industry. and contentment seemed to
me likely to DIV ell, rresistibly arrested my atten
ton, and agreesbly delayed my progress. The
dark clouds OF war, how ever, awfully hung over
the cas-, eru borders of the St9.e and from time
TO time met groups Of mountaineers, either on
foot, or OH horseback, cheerfully repairing to the
assistance OF their exposed and threatened Breth.
rem. You already know, My Dear Fee, the
apparently slow, but steady, resolute, efficient
manner OF Americans of enthusiasm, they have
little; ofpatriotism, they have great deal and
that patriotism IS with them, not a momentary
impuise--not violent, but short.lived eferves-
cense-no--it IS alastng, nalterablesentment--
aud, indeed, it is not so much a sentiment, as
an opinion; for here the Judgment is paramount
to feeling. An American loves his country not
merely because he was born and nurtured in its
bosom; but because his country enjoys political,