The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-04-09
hdass Lfsx,e Petit.

The prsnaslc Readings Of this young lady at the
Ballard House are spoken Of In sdmiring terms,
by those who heard them. She has voice Of
great sweetness, Q manner simple aud unaffected,
and the whole performance exhibited remarkable
powers. Her personal appearance adds new
charms 10 her elocutonsry talents. classic head,
beautiful lace, sparkling eyes and graceful figure
she gives tonight another reading, aud we hope
may have al immense audience.
Miss PrrrrT IL . native of Charlottesville, a
young lady Of very brilliant gifts, both Of mind and
person. As an author she has written some dash
Ing novels. which have had great run, and pro-
daced SENSATION. She Is, beyond oil doubt, q
woman Of real genius, and capable Of winning an
exalted place 10 the wotld Of Ietters Indeed there
is DO comparison between her and the Wanted
authors Of "The Wide. Wide World" "IIls Of
shata,nue," "Doliars and Cent?" and the like
who have been bespattsred and praised the first
female romance writers Of America. Miss PETIT
L. superior In intellect to these excellent, but
somewhat common place personages, as tho Blue
Ridge with its lofty peaks, solemn caverus, smi
ing landscapes, limpid springs, the alternate
clouds and sundsbine that sleep upon its heart,
and tie Infinitely diversified landscape to the res
peotabIs, bu. somewhat uniform and monotonous
palisades of the Hudson River. Miss PETIT has
scul feoling and life she lie intellectual iceberg,
tossing about 10 Arctic sea, and as cold as 1t Is
bright but a woman, overlooking with auima-
ton, sentiment and FIRE, and who does not deem 1t
necessary to remind every one with whom she
comes 10 contact that she iss lannon's parsonage,
and that It 10 q great condescension to bestow
few words on ordinary mortals.
It ought to be q commentator Of this remarka-
BILE young lady to yirginians that she is Virgil
nian True, the fact OF being born 10 Virginia, so
far from being matter Of boastng, ought to be q
decided disadvantage TO any one who is not re-
markedly bright, or cbivslrc, OF noble and gene
rous Virginia produced at one time many
great men and women. that It requires uncommon
smartness 10 their TO keep up the repu-
tatiJn of the State. To see stupid, or selfish or
tiiiberai man Boosting that he was born In Vir-
gnia il as suggestive OF the ridiculous any spec
tace which the earth affords. II, according to the
1rishman's maxim, "a mau isn't q horse because
he 10 born IN stable" neither Ia horse man If
he should happen to be foaled In bedchamber.-
Any colt introduced into the world under such cir
eumstancss would very likely be put out Of doors
at sarly period possible. Yirginans who
degenerate In brains or heart, or both, appear
even more dwarfed and imbecile by the con-
frast which 10 constantly suggested between these
Tom Thumbs and the samsops Of n former era
But the name Of Virginia lie a royal patent of re-
Bown and glory when 1t Is accompanied by such
gifts of genius or Of soul as those which won for
the State her ancient laurels. We can therefore
commend Miss PERTH most cordially to the public
as one whose own intellectual merit adds TO the
treasures and fame of the Commonwealth, and
who ought to be cheered and encouraged by her
native stste. We observe that Dramatic Readings
are much in vogue Ia New York, aud that some
literary ladies have distinguished themselves Ia
this line. Miss PETIT achieved decided honors In
that city. Indeed, she Is spoken of by the critic
OF the New York Herald In language approaching
enthusiasm. Let her own people do her as much
iustice an etrauQers