Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-06-17
From the Lantern
RecOiiecitOns eE the Gre at.

AFihh iHE sI1 LII Of THE MODEhN VIEWS.
The fact of our having been the means of
efiectng meeting between Alexander the
Great and Julius Cesar, after an arrangement
of nearly eight centuries, makes it pretty evi-
dent | was on good terms with these celebiat-
ed people; indeed, on one occasion, had pre-
pared dinner for them. but as l had omit ed
10 invite them, they were prevented coming
otherwise we should have had very pleasant
evening. But although they did not come.
there is no reason why | should omit narrating
all the good things they would have said had
they been present.
l remember especially when Alexander ask
ed Cesar which he would take, Pert or Madei-
ra Julius replied, with one of those peculi-
arly knowing winks. which made him 50 prod-
glous iavorite with the Senate, Il thought no
port could be made dearer in my sight, than
when I reached Brundusium." This joke,
although apparently trihing, is really interest
ing. as it was the Identical one at which Ana
creon laughed so. that he choked himself 1t
is vulgar error that grape stone killed him;
1t was Caesars joke.
Among other things, Alexander gave US an
amusing account of the first whipping he receiv-
ed from his mother Olympia; ii was for taking
sight at old Aristotle.who was at once his pre-.
ceptor and her father coniessor.
Alexander had most singular habit-it was
tendency to drinking. He killed himself
with Otard. The breaking up Of his constitu
tion might be truly called brandy smash.
This reminds me Of his battles, at the most
celebrated of which | was present--acciden.
tally Of course. l was taking walk before
breakfast with Plutarch, who had got one OF
his Lives with him. think it was that of c. p.
r. James, for he was an awful bore. when we
met Alexander, driving with all his might, in
a sulky. Jump mp boys said he, ''and
come and see the muss" In another Sc
cond we were on the road to Pharsalia. |
stood by him all the day. with old General
Jackson. and was severely wounded-frigh
tened. mean.
Awopos must relate little anecdote. A
few minutes before the action commenced, Al
exander TUNED round and said "Snobs, my
hearty! what will this hattie cost mel Jet me
know The damagtl" Borrowing pencil Of Bel
lerophon Brown, began to calculate. SO far
my recollection went, it something of
this hgure-S,42l killed dead right off, with
outa moments pain; 2 .70l died their wounds;
1921 lost their legs. i'll running from the enc
my; 4,27S lost their arms. in getting out Of
harms way: and the reader may form somr
opinion Of my accuracy. when assure him
was only one foot out in my calculation.
The writing Foot, reminds me Of an anec
dote of the celebrated wag of that name. He
had great reverence for notoriety, and made
no scruple of breaking his engagements. For
instance. if he had promised to dine with the
Drummer, and the Corporal asked him after
wards, he thought nothing Of giving the Drum
mer the go by. This is a most remarkable
Psychological fact, which believe has no par
allel in the history Of the human race. -..s.
In person, Alexander the Great was most
dignGed He varied strangely in his light;
for when sitting. he was at least foot shorter
than when standing up; and when he stood on
a chair. he was taller still. When he was put
in rage, he showed it; while, on the other
hand, when much pleased. he smiled. never
saw him in thorough passion but once. and
that was when Fail On. the Perruquier, shaved
his head instead of his beard. The Greek
Phaanx was named after this unlucky man.
He was afterwards killed at Actiunl, while
shaving Cleopatra's promissary note payable
to Mark Anthony. f sra.