Delaware State journal, advertiser and star. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1832-1833, 1833-06-21
From the Mczv York american.
RANDOLPHIANA NO. IL.

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. The title !
of Virginia gentlemen, which used, in my |
young days, to be our boast, has almostbe come
obsolete, for which we have to thank the re-
peal of the good old English laws Of primo
se"ieurc. N was Il great mistake, Sir, made |
by our politicians, to break down our native
aristocracy. 1t gave us an ascendency in the
councils of the Nation, which we are now
ast losing-the glory of Israel has depart
led"
His three great living favoritcs were Ma
thaniel Macon (whom he always called "Un-
Gle Nat,") Judge Marshall and Mr.. Taze-
well; even when playing at whist, If any con-
test arose on the rules of the game, he used
playfnlly to exclaim--'l'l leave it to Uncle
Nat and Tazc wel-their decisions are iazv
with me"
In speaking of the authors, found that he
was a great admirer of Milton, but he did
not like Young, Thomson, Johnson or South
ley. His classification of modern poems was
very curious. "Sir, place first on the list,
tom CRIBS memorial to Congress- next
frhe two-penny post bag, and third, Childe
Harolde's Pilgrimage but can't so "a favo-
rite expression) Moo"e's songs-thcy are too
sentimental In looking over his books
one day, ! discovered Fanny Mr.. Hal
lcck's very amusing satirical poem. 81 am
glad" said ], 'that you do not prescribe
Yankee poetry as well as Yankee Goldfish"
emo sir, replied he, 81 always admire tai
ent, no matter where it comes from; and
consider this little work as the best spcci-
men of American poetry that has yet been
Igiven to the world / shall take it to Eng
land with me and present it to the lady whose
talents and conversation | shall most adj
mire." When | afterwards met him in Lon
don, | recollected this conversation, and ask
ed-"Well, Mr.. Randolph, who got "Fan-
my" "Your countrywoman, Miss Edgworth
J she has no competitor in my estimation"
5 But to return to our voyage-he proposed
that we should read Fanny together, to
which willingly consented, and here | must
, regret that cannot do justice to his readings
but my memory is at fault Whenever he
came to any allusion in the poem, either
personal or political. up went his spectacles
and down went the book, and he introduced
some anecdote to the point, or told some
d story of his first visit.to New York.; and is
: this most entertaining way we took tire,
If mornings to get through "Fanny"-I wish
5, {could embody the ''context" which he CAV,
e to the "text" as he went along; all can sa,
l. is, that it was worthy of the poem, and an
: sure that Mr.. Halleck would have been fiat
= tered to have had such an able commenta
,, tor.
IS He showed me his note book, which was
N strange medley about horses, slaves, cpl
p Itaphs, pieces cut out of newspapers, receipts
r. congressional ancLdo IS, quotations, &c. &c
re He also kept regular diary, and could tel
c. at whose house he dined every day in Wash
e. ington-who the company were-and tn
b. leading topics of conversation. Pointing t
y. particular date he said, "Sir, shall neve
"a ri DlstD hat N,
of IS table. There was large company
ct aud amongst them a hoary headed deba,
ar chez, whose vices had brought him to I'll
r. verge ofthe grave-he had the audacity, 81
to call in question the existence of the De
itf ty--presuming, ! suppose, that there we,
n some kindred spirits present. 1 happene
lie to sit opposite to him,a and was 50 disguised
on his impiety, that could MT avoid exciain
,nt ing-I think, Sir, you might better ha,
ire been silen, on that subject-for, Judging fro
NO lahtlearances, in a very short time you wi
for have Occuiar froofof the power of that Go,
,,e whose existence you now question:
bis turned pale with anger, and trembled, b
ID made no reply, and the company soon afte
of wards broke up, but / never again not,c
me lhim.-PerhapsI was wrong, Sir, in corree
70. ing him, but you know / am 'hair-trgger,
ne go off at "half-
ell When speaking of his younger days,
rit used to say that whatever mental advantag
dis. he possessed were owing to the assiduo
its care of his mother,-and he used to speak
the her in the most glowing terms of filial affe
no ton, never using her name without the e
ord clamation of s'My Mother-God bless her!
&c He made us well acquainted with his ia,
Gus rite slave 'Juba," whom he daily cited
east some good quality or another. ale has
,ns, half the talents of ''my man Juba, Sir" "
end a frequent Expression when discussing
Tpn re nf n y,f.l,t t.s,. l. n.