Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1856-01-12
The Last of the Randolphs-.A Nephew Of
John Randolph.

Southern correspondent of the Home Journal
sends il the following interesting sketch:
During the summer of 1854, had some bust
ness 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 y-cushioned pews Of the village church
at the Courthouse. As it wanted few minutes
to the hour of service, my eye wandered over tho
large and respectable-ooking audience assembled,
and it was finally attracted by very eccentric In
dvidual who was just entering, rather aged man,
tall of dark complexion, long white hair waving
pentifnlly over his shoulders, aud an equally ven
erable beard flowing on his breast His step was
active and graceful, bis form erect and manly. But
his peculiar actions were in striking contrast to
his digni6ed appearance At first thought him
only eccentric, but few moments Of further OBJ
servation proved to me that he was insane.
Immediately on entering the pew he knelt to-
wards the wall crossed himself, and, apparently,
repeated prayer. He then sat down. drew out a
white cambria, delicately perfumed, wiped his
brow, removed his gloves, stroked his hair and
beard, took up his Bible, kissed it, and read, eI.
amned his cane, used his handkerchief again
and all the time keeping himself In constant mo-
ton. l say all the time, but occasionally he was
passive for few minutes-his attention, apparent.
ly, aroused by some truths from the minister
but these times were rare His couutenance as.
sumed all kinds of expressions, contempt, alarm,
pleasure, earnestnesS sorrow and anger fitted
across it In rapid succession. 1t reminded mo
more Of what children call "making faces" than
anything else. 1a
After the services were over, l ascertained that
this gentleman was no other than the nephew Of
John Randolph of Roanoke. He calls himself
Sir John st. George Randolph, and is sole heir
| to his celebrated uncle. Randolph himself re-
marked 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. So
much for human greatness The subject of this
SKETCH although physically and now mentally de-
fective, had mind cultivated in the highest de.
| gree. In his youth he was sent to Paris where,
| under the protection ofa celebrated Able, be re-
ceived a thorough education.
| Having the capacity to receive, and the wealth
| to command, no pains were spared in tho improve
mens of bis intellectual faculties But it was la
Dor lost for, returning to his home in Virginia,
he met with and loved young lady, whom he sd-
dressed but was refused, on account OF his physi-
cal defects. On becoming aware of the truth, he
was plunged in the most profound grief from which
he at last aroused but--insane.
| He has considerable wealth, which is managed
by his friends; and being harmless, he comes and
goes he pleases and is gratifed in all his whims.
Wrecked as his mind is he still commands respect !;
and his peculiar do not attract tho atten-
tion of his acquaintances, excite merriment as
| one would suppose"