Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-07-12
BEOGR Apply.
fselec,ed from the Southern Literary Messenger
DANIEL SHEFFEY.

DANIEL SHEFFEY.
DANIEL SHEFFEY was born in Frede>
rick Mary laad. in l77O. His education
wus inconsiderable. At an early age,
his father taught him the trade OF a shoe
maker. He continued to work with him
until he attained manhood. The house
yet stands. where he spent, in this occu-
patton. many long aud wearisome years
of his life. While engaged on his bench
he was frequently observed, during lei.
sure moments, TO be intensely occupied
In the perusal Of some author for his in
etructIon or amusement. BY moonlight
he was found in his fathers garden m k :
log observations of the heavenly BIO.
les. with telescopes which he had bor>
rowed ;-and then again he was buried
III profound meditation, while detecting
the errors Of mathematical or philosophy.
cal works, which occasionally me, his
eye. The arcana of nature, and the
mysteries of astronomy, constantly eyer.
cised his strong and fertile genius. His
more discerning friends saw that he
would one day be ranked among the
distinguished men of his country: vet
none were so generous and disinterested
as assist his efforts with their pecuniary
resources or TO polish the unsighIy dia.
mond with the fostering hand of educa.
tion. His time was chiefly spent at his
trade. Arrived at manhood, he left his
fathers house, with no other propertv
than his tools, and travelled on foot to
Winchester, Virgins, where he work.
ed as Journeyman for some months, in
the shop OF respectable mechanic.
HaVlng thus raised funds sufficient TO
supply his present wants. he sat out a gain
In pursuit Of employment, hating at the
different villages through which he pass
ed, on his route along The valley. in or.
der to raise his expenses by his iabour
until he arrived at Abingdon, Wythe
co. as poor as ever. He knew no one
bore no letters IF :~.-~ducuon was
friendless and destitute-a stranger in
strange land. Here he commenced at
originality of his character, and the flash
~f s"ni.,S ..Lieh eDlivened his CONVEX
sation, often compelled his newly ac-
CURED friends to look on the eccentric
youth with wonder and amazement -
He became popular, and was finally re.
ceived as student into the office of AL.
exander Smyth, Esq. an eminent la wyer
In that part of the state. and afterwards
commander of our northern army in the
war of 1912.
Shelley was now in his long desired
situation. Disposing of his tools, he
toIled necessarily in his new vocation,
and improved rapidly. Here with his
own hand did he lay the basis of his fu
ture fame. and resolved to avoid the an
piication to himself of the verse ofGray {:
Full many a gem OF purest ray sere.e
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear:
Full many f1uwer is born 10 blush unseen
And waste its sw eetness on the desert air. -
Who supplied his wants during his
residence with Mr.. Smyth, have not
been able to learn. Soon after his adj
mission to the bar Of Wythe county, he
was called on to enter the lists with his
Old friend and patron, whom he handled
with SO much dexterity and adroitness,
that 1t was generally said among the
mass OF the community, the apprentice
will soon surpass the master. So It hap.
Pened. MIR. Shelley was employ ed in
all the important causes of that cour.
ana soon extended his practice to several
adjoining counties. His professional
brethren, however eminent, admired his
powers, and treated him on all occasions
with respect and kindness. In the coun.
ty and superior courts Of law and chan.
Gerry, he was uniformly heard with un.
affected pleasure, both by cour, and ia.
Ty. His humble origin, meagre educa-
ton, the singular incidents Of his life.
awakened sihe feelings and curiosity Of
ms audience, while they were at once
delighted and enlightened by the efforts
OF his powerful and original intellect =
Ate: some years he settled in Stauntop.
where he soon commanded an extensive
and lucrative practice. He often repre-,
seoted the county Of Augusta in tn
House OF Delegates, and 10 1911 we
mo MN In congress. busily engaged in
tne important events OF that irving cri.
sis.-His speech in favor OF q renewal OF
The Charter Of the first bank of the Uni.
tea States, was mastery combination OF
SQUAD argument aud conclusive facts ::
Tor three hours, profound silence pre-
vailed; and the most experienced states
[enwere astopished at this exhibition
OF ms talents. He was opposed 10 the
declaration Of war in 1919 Ever on
the SIDE Of his country, he feel, ipd,gpau,
at Inc injuries which our commerce had
sustained on the high seas: the impress.
ment OF our seamen, and the murder Of
our citizens within our own waters: We,
ne tho't that these difficulties mig be
adjusted bv peoot;af;on ,,d .Lat = l. .