Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-09-21
sTATNTON VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1853

when he had no pious friend to console him il
his distress, and but little to do but to pore owe
his wretched situation, he sank under the weigh
of these complicated calamities into state ofin
sanity. Sem's great distress was that he hat
no friend. he was constantly roaming about ii
quest of one. Yet he was incapable OF enjoy
ing the advantages of friendship. In pursuit o
his object he went up to Col. Dckerson's; bu
to no purpose. From thence ne wandered g.
way to the Warm Springs, where there was at
that time young clergyman by the name oi
Templeton. Mr.. Templeton, becoming acquaint'
ed with his story, took lively interest in bis
welfare and frequently entered into converse.
tion with him. He asked him, among other
things, if he was acquainted with the Greek Ian
guage, to which he replied in the affirmative
Mr.. Templeton put Greek Testament into his
hands, and asked him to construe some oft. he
took the book, opened it, and when he saw what
it was, in transport of joy he pressed it to bis
heart. He then complied with Mr.. Templeton,s
request. From the Warm Springs be went down
to Mr.. Carter's, (who by this time had removed
from Williamsburg to bis country seat in West
moreland county,. Mr.. Garter treated him with
his usual kindness, but he soon wandered away
from his neighborhood He was afterwards Ia
burg.
The above account received from Mr.. Craig,
Mr. Garter, and Mr.. Tempeton. 1t is the sub
stance of all that knew of Selim before came
to reside in this State. Since my arrival here,
| have seen several men who were personally ac-
quainted with him, while in a state of derange.
ment According to their testimony, he was
commonly inoffensive in his behavior, and CRATE
full for favors received He manifested great re-
spect for religion, and was frequently engaged
in prayer. He appeared to have the temper and
behavior of a gentleman, though he was in ruins.
He went roaming about from place to place,
sometimes very badly clad, until he was taken
with the sickness which put an end to his sor-
rows. When he was taken sick, his reason was
restored, and he continued in possession of to
the last. The family, where he lay sick and died,
treated him with great kindness, for which he
expressed the utmost gratitude. At his own re-
request no person sat up with him on the night
in which be died. 1t appears, however, that he
died with great composure. He placed his hands,
his feet, and his whole body in proper posture
to be laid in the grave, and 80 expired.
To this account of Selim, given by the mis-
sonary, there is but little more to be added
He was frequent visitor at the beautiful resi-
dence of Governor Page, on York river, known
as Roosevelt. Governor Page once took him on
to Philadelphia, and had his portrait painted
When the picture was brought to Virginia, ev-
erybody recognized in it the features of the poor
converted Algerine. 1t hung for many years in
one of the rooms of Governor Pages magnificent
MANSION, and is still, we believe in existence
In the latter part of Selim's life, he was very
fond of going to Williamsburg, and spending
some portion of his time in reading Greek with the
Professors of William and Mary College. The
story that is told about him, looks like fiction of
a very improbable nature, and yet we have rea-
son to believe that it is not more strange than
true. Truth is often stranger than fiction, and
Is always more interesting and instructive to ey-
cry we'll balanced mind.