Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-27

and commanding figure, erect an Indian a full head
OF hair anu white The driven snow. He IS the grand
son OF Carter Braxton, who signed the declaration OF
Independence, and in many respects bears resemblance
TO his lustrious ancestor. He is gentleman of pleas
ant manners, socla habits ana belongs emphatcaly to
rarely speaks and never more than a few words
The best looking member the Convention is James
LyonSaof Richmond. Hehas an exceedingly fine person
ard well does he understand the mode of Showing il to
the best advantage He dresses with singular neatnes
and TASTE has address, speaks with great fuency and
lsaltogether an elegant gentleman and good debater
Near him is his distinguished son-in-la law not unlike
nm IN person, with the exception that he seems 10
his senior in age. The two united illustrate the card
nal characteristics OF an accomplished orator the "sua vi
| ter in modo' aud the "fortiter in re-
John Minor Bolts, inclined to believe will he
the master spirit of the Convention. He speaks with
great power and ever with efechas striking person,
making impression from his remark he nhvsiogno
N.Y.. The contour OF his head resembles Nanoleon
nor is he unlike him in the features of his character
lie is ambitious, inoeran and relentless He has tall
ems OF me very fFst order, conceves himself born to
command, and woe to the wight who osses his path
way to glory The objection to Mr.. B. is s,,sD eous
and uncomfortable temper He srash in forming con-
cSohs and obstinate in maintaining them. He often
thinks wrong and Is Just as mpeuous in defending error
as TRUTH tie has warm friendships and bitter resen +
mehts lie has friends who adore him and enemies
who lear and admire him. Such is John Minor Bolts,
who has talents equal to any emergency. but is imno
tent tor good, because ofthe many unenvabIe Qualities
he possesses.
His colleague, R, G., sanard is another of those
and
IN the Convention. He is gentleman Of talents and
experience in legislative matters-Mr S. speaks often
and always sensibly. lie nhers to some extent that
impeachment OF speech which prevented his father from
occupying me very first place among the most br liant
speakers ofthe State 1t - only slightly percepble in
Mr. T. tie is a useful member.
Tyr. Faulkner OF Berkeley will act prominent part
IN this Convention. H. is gentleman of talent. and
ought now to hold much higher position than he oc
euples Eighteen years ago he was member Of the
legslaureand was considered at the time one of the
| rons prpr ,i-i1fr TO- 49,
one OF the gentlemen who participated in the slavery
discussion before the Va. Legislature in 81, '32 and
took ground which he has long since abandoned Pro-
lessor Dew in his nmitab and mon
slavery, IN review this debate distinguished Mr. Faux
ner argument as the strongest that side of the CUES
HOB. rom honest convictions oitsimpolicy or other
causes OF which we are NOT apprized, Mr. F. has since
become strong pro-slavery advocate. His report to
the Legislature a lew winters since upon the fugitive
slave law, sustared by powerful Speech ranked him
as one OF tie abest champions otSoulhern Institutions
lie Is unfortunately white basis defender which to
some extent impairs the lustre of those deeds which
have sgnazed his efforts in behalf of the South.
In person, Mr f. is small, with rather too much of
the dandy in his general appearance. He is very veal
thy, perhaps the richest member Of the Convention all
OF which have proved obstacles 10 his advancement in
popular preterment.
Mr. Janney, Of Loudoua, is decidedly the pre,tiest
speaker in the Convention He not only speaks hand
somely but sensbly His language is chaste. his me-
RODS well tuned, his voice euphoneous, and his eocu
ron eSceeamgy attractive lie Is the only mixed basis
OF his two colleagues united He viii make a figure
we predict fore the Convention adj )urns
:, RIchard u L.. Moncure will be leading member OF
that body He is the Chairman Of the Ju iciary Com
mee and is assiduousIy engaged in deesno and pre.
parlng judicial system worthy of Virginia. Mr. NJ is
known to most OF our readers one Of the abest
lawyers In the commonwealth. AT the bar he has few
equals and no snperiors. We have never heard him in
deberatiye bodies, but Judging his powers from what
we nave seen in the court room he will stand emf
nent as debater Of Constitutional law. lie has one
q Of fbn ,I.ax
thinkers IN the State.
Henry A. Wise all know. To enumerate his quail
ties Is to dea with household words He is the same
man ne was in Jackons day. the greatest popular ora
tor OF his time, but eccentric impetus and uncertain
Wise has some noble qualities He mas the blandest
ana knoest manner in social ntercoufse-s one OF the
Warmes hearted fellows earth, and is altogether on
OF the most pleasant paror companions with whom we
nave ever met. No one minge long in his society
without becoming more less attached to the man.
The part he will take in the Convention no one knows
lie Is white basis and at the time ultra Southern
upon orthen aggression he goes as far as the arth-
est lie IS antI-compromse, anti Bayley, and every
ohef anti that true Southern should be SAVE THE
WHITE BASIS BORDER. But he IS the same Henry A.
Wise OF '40-'44 and hence the mysterious change which
has passed over the spirit of his dream
Ihese are the prominent men of the present Ccnven-
ton. Contrast them with the Convention OF '29 and
say impartial reader which has the preponderance of
talent.
AFRICAN GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERIES owe.
RES OF considerable magnitude have according TO the
Cape Town Mail been shed over the geography ofthe
interior OF Africa The substance of it is that the great
lake before reported discovered in South Africa al
though receiving the waters of several rivers has no
outlet 10 the ocean. About days journey to the
crosses the continent. and beyond ii new "rver sys
tenn commences, the streams all flowing to the north
and ultimately to the ocean,
Ii IS one OF these streams, say the accounts that
Mareleskatre and his tribe have made temporary
resting place. This Chief some twenty-five wears
ago. was in subsection to a Zulu tyrant named Cha
ka residing near the Eastern Coast, south the lat
iude OF %. degrees. Escaping from the domination
OF his meclless master, he fled with large body ad
herents over the mountains to the northwest spread
| ing devastation around him he passed.
tie was driven still further northward by the Booers
VINO, IN their turn. were pushed forward by the ad-
yancng civilization OF the English. Thus Maraes-
katte. with his ierocous legions, has been retiring
/ continually toward the Equator leaving behind them q
deserted country, swept OF inhabitants by his destroying
! march. He has now traversed at least a thousand
miles from the point at which his wanderngs COM
rnenced at least quarter oil a century ago.
Still his interchangeable pursuers dog the steps OF the
Iereatmg lion, and have already began to fout him
from his latest lair in the centre of the continent The
Cape Town Mail hazards the prediction, that before
another quarter OF century shall have elapsed the
whole interior of South Africa to the Equator will be
occupied by civilized communities OF the European race
and probably under the dominion of Great Britain
Among the discoveries in the new land OF promise are
ivory IN considerable quantities, and many other articles
OF commercial value.
Some travellers have arrived at the Cape OF Good
Hope from the Zua country. A party came to the
kraa OF one OF the principal Zaa Chiefs sy led by the
natives En- Corzan. Colzon, the chief, rejoiced in the
possession OF twenty wives, all OF whom We're daily
dismissed to the abors OF the field except one avorte
dark beauty who seemed exempt from this unieminne
occupation. A cup-bearer too, figured at the festive
board, reminding the travellers Of Pharaoh and the
kings of ancient times-a tall staiwart native whose
head was bound with large blue shawl in Oriental
style.
The natives use black earhenware cups. These cups
were SO beautifully glazed and of such curious work
manshp, that the travellers were surprised find that
they were manufactured by the natives The kraal or
hut OF the chief surrounded for miles with those of
his relatives Large crops of meaes, sweet potatoes
and Catlricon were las well immense quantities
OF sugar cane
A Stockholm paper announces that Jenny Lind had
gent to that city twenty thousand dollars to be distr.
bued among the poor.