The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-11-06
The Last of the RamdOlphs-A Neph-
CIV of John Randolph:

A Southern Correspondent of the Home
Journal sends it the following interesting
sketch:
During The summer of 1854 had some
business transactions which called me to the
county of Charlotte, in lower Virginia. A
mild and lovely Sabbath morning found me
seated in one of the comfortably cushioned
pews of the village church at the Court House.
As it wanted a few minutes to the hour OF
service my eyes wandered over the large and
respectable looking audience assembled, and
was finally attracted by very eccentric individ
ual who was just entering-a rather aged man,
tall, ofdark complexion long white hair waving
pleutifuy over his shoulders, and an equally ven
erable beard flowing on his breast. His step
was active aud graceful, his form erect and
manly. But mis- peculiar actions were in strik-
ing contrast to his dignifed appearance. AT
first thought him onl eccentric, but a few
moments of further observation proved 10 INC
that he was insane.
Immediate on entering the pew he knel'
towards the wall, crossed himself and, appa.
rently, repeated prayer. lie then sat down
drew out white cambric, dclicatey porfum'
ed, wiped his brow, removed his gloves, strok.
ed his hair and beard took up his Bible, kiss
ed it and read, examined his cane, used his
handkerchief again and all the time keeping
himself in constant motion. say all the time
but, occasionally, he was passive for few
minutes-his attention apparently, aroused by
some truths from the minstcr-but these times
were rare. His couutenance assumed all kinds
of expressions. Contempt, alarm, pleasure
earnes,ness, sorrow and anger. fitted across ii
in rapid succession. 1t reminded me more o
what children call making faces, than anything
else.
"After thaseryices were over ascertainct
that this gentleman was no other than the
nephew of John Randolph, Of Roanoke. Hc
calls himself Sir John St. George Randolph
and is sole heir to his celebrated uncle. Ran
doph himself, remarked with bitterness during
his last days that their blood flowed in the veins
of but one single scion, and he was deaf, dumb
and insane. Sc much for human greatness
The subject of this ske,ch-although physically
and now mentally defecive-had a mind cul
tivatcd in the highest degree. In his youth he
was sent to Paris, were under the protection
ola celebrated abbe, he received thorough
education. Having the capacity to receive
and the wealth to command, no pains were
spared in the improvement Of his intellectual
faculties. But it was labor lost; for on return
ing to his home in Virginia he met with ant
loved a young lady, whom he addressed bu
was refused on account Of his physical defects
On becoming aware of the truth he was pung
ed in the most profound grict, from which hi
was at last aroused, but-insane.
"IIe has considerable wealth, which is man
aged by his friends; aud hcing harmless he
comes and goes as he peases, and is gratifiec
in all his whims. Wrecked as his mind is, he
still commands respect; and his peculiar man
ners do not attract the attention Of his &C
quantanccs, or excite mcrrimeut as one would
suppose. b.