The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-06-05
MIR CLAY
As a fit Accompaniment to The preceding, we
pvblish the following sketch Of Mr. Clay:
E-,,,, tbe N,t3auoJ Toit.uuI
= HI IIf' WI T7TI''V ''V7V7 TT
WANDEKER IN WASHINGTON.

pyblish the following sketch Of Mr. Clay
From the National Jo,uHai
WANDERER IN WASHINGTON.
! We promised few days ago, TO publish a
| short extract or two from II MS. work with the
| above tnle, aud by permission of the author, We
! are now enabled TO redeem orr promise.
The following is "A paI, OF thr skt'rh OF one
| of the many Characters Introduced wh'oh we
think will be ACKNOWLEDGED l. be true, and re
cogniscd at once by those a qudinicd with the
individual intended The Nandercr, II viii be
seen, IS ut an evening party:
The crowd was, IN short tine ms great MS
il had been at the Presidents few evenings be
| fore. twas impossible To SIT, and we were kept
in KIND of perpetual motion, by tie tuctua-
ton Of the company II was lltcrally squeeze,
in which you were sometimes iosted bya beau-
tiful woman, or pushed aside by the more nn-
weldy bulk of her gallant A tail, thin. but
dignlhed looking man, no" approached, to whom
| Marion introduced me. The conversation We
had, though brief, enabled me TO perceive that
was in company Of no ordinary individual. |
| remarked that his observations possessed much
| originality and depth Of thought, aud were
made IN spirit OF freedom and ioalessness that
| pleased me, because ! had not expected it
! There was more OF dignity than grace IN his
manner; il wanted that polished ease which |
had often witnessed in European Courts, but II
was such precisely as should not only look for
but desire, in man holding high office under
a republic. That said Marion, when he had
| left us, rs the Secretary OF -. Tie IS regard
as one Of the most talented members OF the Ca
bmet, and has risen 10 the situation he now holds
by the native energies OF his mind, although he
| has been enormously charged with using Impro-
| per means TO obtain it; but | and those who
of
| They who arc the most formidable have usually
the bitterest enemies. lie has gwen offence by
acting in obedience TO the dictat OF his Judy
ment; but posteriiy will no doubt Judge more
correctly Of his actions than the present age can
! possibly do, influenced as 4 is b prejudice and
partlality. Tie is Just the mar should select 10
exhibit To the European world a. fine specimen
of the American character--bold, enterpiIsioSi
independent and perseyermg, with GENUS that
shrinks at no impeachment and mind that qualls
at the aspect of no danger emerging from oh
scurity and indigeuce, and rising by rapid gra-
dationS TO the rank of an orator, legislator M
mister aud statesman the same in all, and IN all
displaying that versatility and power which are
the characteristics of gcnins Button, think,
has SAID, that genius Is observation, but II re
quires genius to observe. The Secretary has
been a close and accurate observer Of men and
!
which could add to the unfailing resources OF
his mind. His knowledge of man has not been
derived from books, but from long intercourse
with the living world in which he has mingled,
| as much from necessity as from choice The
various scenes through which he has passed has
| enabled him TO see aud TO study the diversified
character of his species and to comprehend the
influences underwhich they act aud the motives
and principles by which they are governed -
| Like other men, he has his weakness, and may
have his lollies, but there is generally dscoycra-
bic, in whatever he does. great deal of good
sense, sagacity, and shrewdness
|
He welded an almost magic power over le-
! gslative body and seems to exercise nearly the
same fascination over those who come within the
range Of its influence. II is the ascendancy OF
! gcniuS--the sway of mind which, like the rari-
! fed air, will rise above the denscr atmosphere
that surrounds IT, There are, too, In his man
ners SO total an absence of all hauteur--so
much apparent candour, aud such an evi-
dence of open-heartedness, that no one can re-
fuse him his confidence and attachment, when
he once becomes acquainted with him. He has
nothing of aristocracy lurking IN his heart, and
nothing of that contemplate pride which Will
not stoop 10 notice the lowy aud the humble,
though mcritorious and worthy, because they are
not surrounded by the tIappmg5 OF power, or the
glitter of wealth He has been placed on the
vantage ground" of politics. and AIMS at n
more elevated point, which. should he attain,
will am sure produce no change in the nature
of his feelings OF the character Of his mind
But perceive our old acquaintance, the fashion
able scribe, vending his way towards rs. lie
has seen Won IN conversation with the Secretary
Of - and you now stand much higher III his
estimation see you have been chatting with
the Secretary Of -, said y as soon as he rcach-
ed us--an able man that, aud a very particular
friend OF mine-we often talk together III social
way over the affairs ofthe ualiOn and he Is some
times pleased to call me his Magnus APOLLO but
hate 1attery--have YOU seen the cotlllion IN the
next room -prodgiousiy well done assure
you-l have just had the honor TO dance once
with Mrs -, the lady OF member from
Virginia--aulte a fine woman that and exceed
inglv pretty; she was polite as 10 say was
the best dancer IN the room. Very compliment
tary however, SAID Marion aud you doubtless
believed all she said P,Hdon me, detest iatte-
~ but really she said it with 30 much Ratlette
that could not help believing her IN earnest
No doubt bot have you Yet waltzed yourself
into the rood opinion Of Miss - think She
has rather 100 many airs and graceS for so cor
pulent gallant. Pardon me, IT dpse not strike
me that am at all too heavy for dancer At
least too Donderoi,S 10 TIP II on the hsht antas-
tic toe, youwlll admit, sold Marion
tn mo EJjt0rs Of The plgpiHiau.