Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-06-23

! nection with the Gubernalorial chair; bu
the suggestion was abandoned, because i
was well known to his friends at Rich
mond, that, on account Of his health, such
an appointment he could not accept.
The las, public act of his political life.
took place at Washington, few days be-
! fore tho Inauguration Of Gen. HARmsoN
when, as President Of the Harrisburg Con-
yenton, which, if mistake not, adjourn
cd TO meet al that time in the Metropolis,
he called together the Delegates who had
assembled in Washington to witness that
imposing ceremony, that they might ex
change congratulations. His Address, on
| that occasion, was characterized by all
The vigorous thought and feryid eloquenco
of his better days; and was in striking
contrast with his dcbilitated and emacIat-
ed frame. The Pickering lamp sheds a.
round brilliant light just before i goes
out in darkness. The noble courser
champs the bit, and snuffs the wind, and
paws the ground, when he appears, for a
| final struggle, on the field where he had
so often triumphed. The undying soul
often asserts the Immortality Of It's nature,
even when surrounded by material decay.
When in the enjoyment OF vigorous
health, Gov. BARBouR was one OF the
finest looking men Of his day. The first
time saw him was on the floor Of the Sem
ate Chamber, when my attention was ar
rested by Senator Of manly proportions,
prominent eyebrows, and strongly mark.
ed features.
have already alluded 10 his cmineuce
as a public speaker. a gentleman OF dis,
tinction in Virginia, and a competent Judge
of oratory, told me he heard him deliver q
speech, during the autumn Of 1910, at
Staunton, Virginia, to large assemblage,
when he spoke for five hours in a manner
which, for eoquence and power, he had
never known to be exceled on such &C.
casions. During the same season, he ad.
dressed very numerous audience in Mon.
ument Square, in this City but his very
feeble health made it impossible for his
voice 20 be heard, except by a small por-
ton of the thousands assembled in that
largo area. He had but few equals in the
ability with which he delivered an extern.
poraneous address. His conversational
powers were very remarkable. A mind
stored with varied knowledge aud anec-
dote, and an easy flow Of language, made
him the charm Of every circle. Like
Coerdge, he would sometimes assume
more the manner Of lecture, than OF con-
versation and, on such occasions, he en-
chained the attention of every auditor
h,e mt 20 TN xpItb ha
nent men, and events Of the age, at home
and abroad, mpartng peculiar interest TO
all he said. Ills style in conversation has
been criticised as wanting in simplicity.
A stranger was impressed with something
of the ore roiundo in his conversation
but the impression was nearly lost on IN
innate acquaintance. The late General
TAYLOR, of Norfolk, Virginia, approached
him more nearly as a conversationallst,
than any other man have ever known:
superior in elegance and finish but infe.
rior 10 richness and vigor.
The traveller who passes over that por-
ton of Virginia, which lies between Char.
lottesville and Orange Court House
journeying along the road which is West
of the South West MountaIn--about mid.
way between the two points, reaches Bar
louisville having his view, on one Size,
bounded by the South West Mountain
on the other, by the Blue Ridge. A beau
tiful landed estate, of seven or eight thou
sand acres, is embellished with large
brick mansion, which, with lis surround
ing Improvements, is perhaps not surpass-
ed by any other in Virginia. The vislter
who remained there day, week, or a
month, had no restraint imposed on him
and he imposed none on the inmates. tie
was at liberty to follow his own inclina-
tons in on, door amusements, or with
books, while the members of the family
pursued their accustomed daily avocations.
The proprietor was on horseback by day
light, and met his friends at breakfast -
After break fast, he was employed IN rid
ing over his estate until mid day, when he
returned, dressed for dinner, and joined
the domestic circle. After tea, he would
engage in conversation for an hour or two,
and then retire without ceremony, leav-
ing his guests with the younger members
of his family. Mr.. Trelawny-author of
Adventures Of Younger Son, and the
friend of Byron who closed the eyes of
Child Harold" as he died at Missolon-
ghi--when in this country, eight years
ago, passed several months of Barbours-
vile, and said the mode of life almost made
him suppose he was at the seat of an En-
glsh country gentleman. Such is the
mansion where friends often assembled,
and in which the weary or benighied
traveller was received with a cordial vel.
come, and hospitable board. The Sages
of Monticello and Montpelier, were the
neighbors and intimate friends of Gov.
BARBOUR aud their loss, when removed
by death, was deeply felt and deplored.
When Mr.. MADISON died, he pronounced,
in compliance with public invitation from
citizens of Orange, glowing eulogy on
his illusirlous friend.
The affection oil his lellow-clizens for
Gov. BARBouR--the confidence in his un.
isviating integrity, his political principles,
and his abiIity--were never more strong.
" manifested than in the expression OF
opinions OF his character during the last
year. His age-hs talents--his unsul.
lied honor--his long and distinguished
public service, Justify me in saying, with.
HWy.fn