Delaware State journal, advertiser and star. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1832-1833, 1833-06-21

that "Mr. Madison raised him." and that
he (the negro) was now ''sixty-ope years
of ape'' and "Mr. Madison was good
MASTER" and "would not let his overseer
make fight with the men," thus running
on with communicative loquacity, seeing
he had found white man to listen to his
talk. rode on then through well-built
pate-on the oad-way-leading through
an immense field OF rye-by yet another
patc-and came at last to large and
elegant brick house, built in the Vir-
ginia fashion with wings, projecting
por.ico, walk in front, &c. &c.
What on earth could send man here,
said to mysel-here, so far from the
road. SO far from neighbors, so far from
the village, the Post Ollice-in this hide
and-po-scek place in the woods, where it
is difficult to find dwelling, no matter
how conspicuous it may be. But such
is the Virginia fashion. The Virginians
get off from the road with the same zeal
that we croud on---and here you may ira
vel where there are no signs of life, but
where, if you were to sound a trumpet to
call men together, they would jump up
as from the earth Truly this is retire
mcnt this habit4tion IN such field-.in
such valley---with the morning music
of the whippoorwill and the evening song
of the nightingale undisturbed but by
the little hustle in the neighboring negro
camps, or the solitary traveller who, per-
chance, strays here, as have done, to pay
the homage that is due to character, to
pat riotism, to an upright and well done
political career. AS l fastened my
horse, and drew near to the door OF the
yard, with well fitted and well painted
fence was amusing much on the chan
gcs that come over man in the course
Of long life. How can we accustom
ourselves to such soil tude after all
the hustle of an active life to which we
have been habituatcd? How can we
withdraw and forget men and things,
and live and feed on the thoughts within
, us, and with the few and unvarying COM
, panions that our own homes affords.
Cicero, in that admirable treatise of his
De .Seneciute, puts into the mouth of Sci
, pio,--I think ii is he, but my memory OF
the readings of other days is even now
a growing rusty--the true lesson Of enjoy
> ing happy old age, or change OF life,
or meek submission to circumstances.
. 1t was not long before saw living ex-
!, emplilication and practiser Of all these
= lcssons,--with yet another aid for the
! enjoyment Of happy old age than CT
q cero has spoken OF.
! | raped at the door. A servant,
: courteous, we'll bred, and we'll dressed,
!. came to my call. sent in my card, for
!, not expecting to return home this way,
. had refused letters offered me by
! friends in Washington. to Mr. and Mrs
!, Madison-and | was invited to the par
lor, in the centre of the building, full Of
the portraits of eminent individuals,
. among which were those of Washing
~ ~ ton, Jefferson and Lafayette, think, but
:, | am not certain-and of paintings also
n r epresenting different scenes and pas
=. sions, but chiefly Of religious charac-
r. ter. The furniture was of the rich Ole
!. cast, which, while it keeps up the idea o.
"a magni6cence, carries us back to Other
II days. and reminds us that we are in the
G, houses OF our ancestors, or our fathers.
n Mrs. Madison soon appeared, and after
y, little conversation, carried me into hei
~ husbands bed room, and presented me
- to Mr.. Madison. He was lying on his
!; bed in a thick silk be-reading,-witl
. the book near at his side, and his specta
~ Giles put in to preserve the place. His re-
~ ception was generous and courteous. Hi:
- conversation fluent, agree able, vigorous
e and irank-and displayed, even en- com
mon topics, instruction and interest.
" There is no decay of mind--not the leas
:, visible decrease of that intellectual vgoi
lis which ever distinguished him. His memor.
C. seems to be as good as overland he 81 eak
its of trade, of improvements, of public health
Il and of the different sections of the country
,le with all the interest of man who is calmly
III but zealously surveying what his countryme
are doing. In speaking of his oversight, h
remarked that it was but short time sine
: r- he began to use spectacles. He attributed
lie. the long duration of his visual power to tn
ew fact that he was near sightetl-and was in
nd tercsted in hearing his argument to sustai
SIS, the position, founded as it was on an intimat
zen knowledge of the science of Optics. Ofcours
nc, avoided,a all persons would, intimate frient
~ except, any allusion to the passing scenes O
IN politics of the day--though l should ha,
w. been interested in hearing him speak ofhi
!. own Virginia. As to his health, he said
led was as good as could be expected, though
cal was slightly afflicted with iheumati cpain
son Old age was his chief disease. He then e,
'be logised the air and climate he lived in-ar
INF Mrs Madison remarked, that there were
w. this vicinity a large number of very old pc
So pie These remarks reminded me of a CO
es- versation ] had at breakfast at tavern
la the mountains west of this. inquired oftl
his lady of the house, "What are your preyai
/. ing diseasef" "We have none." ..hI
consumptions?' "No." "Fevers3' nNo
''What do you die OH" ooh, of old age."
and Such being the good reputation of the air a,
climate in this part OF Virginia, hope NJ
,33. and Mrs. Madison will live many, many yea
IA yet.