Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-26
From the Danville (Ya) Register.
John Randolph's Grave.

John Randolph's Grave.
On bright and beautiful morning in May, w
mounted our horses to visit Roanoke, the seat o
the late John Randolph. The weather was charm
ing, our horses in fine life, and ourselves in goot
humor with every thing and every body. Under
such circumstances, the ride of fourteen miles, til,
distance from Charlotte Court House to Roanoke
was vastly agreeable. The country through which
you pass, from Charlotte Court House to Roanoke
is not very Observation-Disclosures in all respects al
was informed, to other parts of the county.
After ride of two three hours, we entered
forest of tall oaks, and were told that we were OF
Mr. Randoph's estate. Shortly the houses thai
occupied by the great and eccentric genius
appeared through the intervening trees, built up
in the midst of the woods. Not stump to be
s,en not bush grubbed up; all standing as If the
f,ot of man had never troddeu there.
Mr.. Randolph would not suffer the primitive as.
pect of things to DO disturbed in the least. Not n
tree, or branch switch was allowed to be cut.
During his absence in Europe, limb of an oak,
projecting towards window of one of the houses,
grew so near that old Essex, fearing the window
would be broken, cut the limb of. On Mr.. Ran
dolphs return he at once discovered the mutla-
ton, old Essex was called up, and the reason de-
manded for cutting off the limb. The old negro
told his master he feared the window would be
b'oken. Then, said Mr. Randolph, why did you
not move the house9
We were met by John, the celebrated body SER
want of Mr.. Randolph, and were treated with as
much calm dignity and politeness as should have
expected from the most polished gentleman. He
accompanied us through, and explained everything
that attracted attention about the summer and win
ter houses; and related to many things connect
ed with his late master, Of most interesting char
acter. The summer and winter houses stand i'm
nediately opposite, and were used by Mr.. Randolph
as their denominations Indicate. The winter house
is rude, Imprinted log structure; the rooof that
shelters the 'front.' supported by Embarked posts.
The interior has confined, roughly finished APP
pcarance. The summer house is built of better
materials, well-fnished, and painted. The plan of
the summer house, though singular, is in good
taste, and decidedly convenient and agreeable. In
stead of windows, on three sides of each room
there are doors opening very wide, affording a
plentiful circulation Of air, and an unobstructed
view Of an around. Unfortunately, at the time of
our visit the houses were denuded of their furni-
ture, a circumstance of much regret to US,
At my request John directed us to his mas
ter's grave, at the foot of lofty pine just few
steps in the rear of the summer house. The place
was selected by Mr.. Randolph twenty years before
his death and by his direction his head was laid
TO the cast instead Of the west the usual position.
suppose the position was preferred by Mr.. Ran
dolph, because 1t was the Indian mode Of sepulch-
raj posture, his descent from Pocahontas, the In
dian princess, being one of the things he much
DOlSteu oil. a RUE uuCmbellcu luhSt Vi WING
rock found by Mr.. Randolph, on distant part OF
his estate, many years before his death, and used
by him at the door of one of his houses as wash
stand, marks the head of the grave. A rude mass
of brown stone, selected by Mr.. Randolph, and
used ms step-stone to mount his horse, marks the
foot Of the grave. These rocks we're procured and
kept for the purpose to which they are now appro-
priated, and particular directions given to John on
the subject
can ncxnr forget NV anotinna while standinp
over the unornamented grave Of the gifted and &C.
centric Randolph. The tall, unbroken forest by
which was surrounded, the silence and gloom
that remained undisturbed amidst the deserted
place, the thought Of the brilliant mind that once
animated the remains then Wondering beneath the
sod upon which / was standing-the vanity Of
carth's promises and hopes, and distinctions, i'm
pressed my heart and mind with a degree Of so
lcmnity and interest was unwilling TO dissipate.
- A mother, admonshing her son, a lad some
seven years Of age, told him that he should never
defer till tomorrow what he could do to-day. The
little urchin replied "Then mother, let's eat the
rest Of the plum pudding tonight"
- Two children, a boy and girl, were burned
to death at Georgetown, Ohio, on Friday. Their
mother had left the house but short time when
flames were observed coming out Of the windows,
but the fire ragged so fercely that no one dared at
tempt the rescue Of the children.
- Robert T. Lucket, Esq, of Loudoun county,
Va fell from his horse on his way from Aide,
(where he had been performing his duties as q
magistrate on the 10th, and afer struggling to
wards his home for some distance, sank down from
exhaustion and exposure, and expired.
- The larges, import ever paid at the custom
house in Boston IA = sssgis eay was taken on Mon
day, amounting 10 sl22,644 The whole numbc
OF entries was 1879. A large proportion Of tn
merchandise entered was received by the steame
Asia.
VIM. Work, Of Vernon, Pennsylvania, dic'
on Saturday from hydrophobia, caused by the bit
OF mad dog.
- The term for naturalization in Canada ha
been reduced from seven to three years residence
Any foreigner, therefore, having resided that tim
in the province may be naturalzed on taking tn
necessary oaths.