Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-10-08
SELECTIONS.
MIR. CLAY-THE WICkLIFFES, &c.

SULPHUR SrRiNas. IN. CO. !
September ID, 1893.

.''p'cHluet ID. 1000
Constant and rapid change OF scene. since my ale
Paitnfe 'fom Lexington for Cincinnati, aud during
my Journey back To this State, has literally disabled
nv, uhu now, nom fcsumug my correspondence.
before narfaing the particulars aud incidents Of my
tour, u may not prove unnieicstng To fecur 10 Lex
ineon and It's vicinity, and some of the ihc dcnts OF
my bret but agreeable soiourn there Tie elegant
couteses OF this place continued 10 be extended Ia
ooi en'fe southern party, To almost the moment ol
onf departure We were scarcely suile,sd to do
more than break our last M our hotel. We pbftook
oil snmptuons entertainments nj the houses of Mr.
Clay MIR. Robert Wickl1ilr, Chief Justice Robertson,
Mr.. H. johnson, aud Mr.. +. johnson. which, To.
ecther with tho Barbecue, aud Ball NJ Mrs.
Brands, where lovely throng responded, with live.
" ana graceful motion, To the music oi the dance,
furnished tull occupation Tor our leisure aud I'M
pressed all with grateful aud abiding sense OF the
elegance aud cordlality OF Kentucky hospitality In
deed. the citizens seemed 10 vie with each Other IN
/ iaVshing attentions upon us, and nothing but tie
shoftncss OF our stay prevented us from receiving
much larger dspcnsailon Of their warm hearted
kindness.
II was source of no small qualification 10 me, 10
meet the celebrated Haity of the Nest" NJ his
own generous table, aud behold HIM DISPENSING
with unaffected grace, the subss ntials aud courle
ses OF The least cnllsened with frank and easy con
verse and speed with frequent anccdoie llls con
,cfsaton turned chiefly on ordinary topics aud
scarcely ever glanced NJ politics. After dinner
our distinguished host conducted IL pleasant
walk through the shady groves and green pastures
oi lbs iavotuc Ashland, and exhibited to his fine
stock ltattle--pcrhaps the finest in the Slatcto
The improvement Of which he has given, aud coutn.
nes TO give, uncommon attention, setting an exam.
pie, winch has tended largely To give Kentucky the
noble herds OF which she boasts and profits. lis
cattle are chiefly, believe, oi the Durham breed
although he has some OF various othe, foreign stocks
two ycai old heller seemed to be his f,yorIte--a
beautiful aud gentle crcature--csmated to weigh
ABOUT eight hundred pounds, and valued at one
thousand dollars.
Ashland. the resi- lcnce of Mr. Clay, is situated a.
bout me from Lexington, and IS beautiful and
well cultivated farm, adorned with handsome and
commodious mansion, sci oil with spacious lawns or
pastures, aud shaded with the foliage of noble trees
III Inc pack ground sircto hes out landscape, rich
III rur,l aud agricultural beauty. 1t must be quite
aiehri to the distinguished owner Of this lovely rural
retreat, TO seek II rs u periodical refuge from the
storms and cares OF political hle--lurgcting ambl-
ton, with all It's agliating hopes and fears in the
acclul occupations OF The farmer, aud the and
hallowcd communion OF family and friends
lie dcscr'n'ion given oil Mr.. Clay, by Prentice,
ms bographer, some years sncc is very correct, and
nave tfanscfibedt:
e" The person OF Mr. Clay exhibits a perfect com
binailon OF snavity, digu'y aud power. He is tall
and somewhat slender and his carriage and dcport
ment are manly &prepossessng. His mouth IS lrge
hn bland and energetic IN lis expression. HIS lole-
htdd IS hIgh aud broad. The contour of his head is
remarkably fine. A disciple OF the school OF Gall X
Spu,zheIm would find much 10 admire IN ths ample
developments oil all those organs Of the brain, which,
IN the estimation of the phrenooglst the uniail-
ing indications OF superior intellect. IL bis orna.
~ intercourse with society and while engaged m
common conversation, the lively lrankness and open
benevolence OF his feeling, are pouitrayed in his
coon'ehance. In de bate-in the warm and fierce
eonilict OF mind-his features sympahize with the
varying emotions Of his heart. HIS keen hndles
INTO new brightness, from the reprcssibc fine with
n Iis uI hall
mirror the transit Of the s'ar-lke thought, which
beam upon lips, touched with the living coal Of clo-
quencc."
have never been among the political supporters
OF Mr. Clay, but have never oecn able To deny him
The adnna lIon. due to the many noble traits of his
private character. and his ustiious public career.
lie came 10 kentucky, then Wilderness penny
less orphan aud, by The lolcc of talent aud personal
merit alone, has carved out for himself an exalted
ia'ne having contributed, too, TO elevate his State,
IN wealth and power, 10 the high rank size now
lids IN hcl sistcrlood of republics lie has lived
TO be, at ouy The leading and statesman oihe
West, but be oIc OF the most eminent OF our
renowned and wide spread Union, with the history Of
which, his name stands honotably identified, in
every great event. from the last with Great Britain
down 10 the present period. Justly may he be syl
ed Que O. Natures mobiles, aud never in the highest
aud palniest elevations ot his fortune has he evlnc
ed the slightest shadow ct change OF 'ufhinS from
that iranhness and simplicity Of character, wch dis
nguish Ike genuine and true hearted cpublican
from the proud aristocta,. His heart" says his
biographer is rs warm-his hand is as free, aud his
smile as familiar. they were thirty years ago,
when, without friends ADD without influence lie
first responded to the hearty welcome of the Ken
tucLian."
Near Mr.. Gays farm is that Of Col James Err
win his son-nlaw, a gentleman OF great wealth and
high Character, who spends his summers ia Ken
lucky, and his winters in Louisiana, where his pos
sessions chiefly lie Col. Erwin. farm is laid out il
style Of far superior beauty to that of Nj. Claws,
art having been tashcd to lend TO lis native beau
~ the foreign aid of ornament. Business had
called this gentleman New Yok just before the ar
rival OF our Southern party but in pursuance of his
request, the hospralties OF his elegant mansion
were dispensed to us, under the auspices of his
friend and connection. Mr. Thomas Smith, who mar
ried one of Mr.. Clays ncces, and whose personal
tenons were unremittej and are gratefully remcm-
befed. Mr.. Smith had turned out for inspcc-
ton and admiration, Col. Els fine stud of horses
aud also took to his farm. where he showed
us his valuable stock, aud among them the cele-
brated stallion, Rodolph, basing his fame Veto
res every field, lie was permitted to con
test
The most untoundcd hospitality was extended TO
our party by Mr.. Robert Wckline one of the Ken
lucky Directors Of the great Rail Road, and his
whole family. This gentleman is the largest land
holder and slave holder in Kentucky. lie is dis.
tingushcd lawyer aud has borne conspicuous part
in the political history Of his Salc-and such is the
force of hahi, the strong love of his profession
drawa from regular practice, he will decline the
argument Of important causes. Mr.. W. is an able
and Jealous advocate Of the great enterprise of unit
ing the South and West by rail road connections