The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-02-27
LOCAL MATTERS.

Society. Indeed, Trginians seem to be losing that
regard for the past aud its sanctifed memories,
which IL so characteristic Of people proud of q
hoeie ancestry, and alive to high-toned sense of
seitrespeet. To look back upon those who have
Illustrated the irst days Of the State, by deeds of
honor and renown, with emotions of patriotic re-
verence and holy. regard, is to give the certain
promise Of such ennobiing sentiments amongst N.
now, as should prompt to the like results when.
ever the occasion should call them forth On the
other hand, there is no surer evidence of decline
In the true national interest, the pure sen,iment
OIL amor patrias," than to see manifested bv a,v
people, a careless disregard of the traditionarv
gIories OF their State. We fear such a condition
VI 'hiaes exists in Virginia now. We think We
SEQ SAD evidences of decaying loyalty in whatever
direction we look. Whilst younger States. which
put few years ago were vast solitudes WHOSE
primeva stiffness was disturbed only by the tread
o. tue savage and the howl of the wild beast ara
diiisent IN securing and recording the deeds of
tneir infant existence-whilst older Common
weaiths are searching through dusty parchment.
and ransackiDg the archives Of the old world IN
oraer 70 add page to page of their already sub.
ssantial history-VIRGINIA the most honorable q "a
ancient OF them all. is doing away her time md
opportunities in a state of culpable inactiop w.
know not how she is to be awakened from ma
iethargy. Her Legislature has. time and again
shut the door of her treasury in the face of snni
cations for aid. Her most wealthy and natrint;a
citizens, with some honorable exceptions nna,,
their purses to all else than to the only entarnr;
looking to the reclaimiBg of what is lost. ana ss
caring for the future much that is now siIantI,
but surely passing away. Appeals, coming from
what quarter they may, enforced never so eioonent
ly, seem to be of no avail The fiat of obIiyion has
gone forth--let death and decay claim their own
In vain do we invoke to our aid the shade of the
gallant old cavalier from his ancient baunts--in
vain do we call up the spirits OF those sturdy
pioneers OF tho West, the smoke OF whose fire.
sides first went up amongst the blue mountains.
aud whose cabins were cradles of liberty, there
in vain does the historic muse herself sigbing
over such neglect, drop here AMI there tear as
her last arguments against Times inexorabie de.
crees.
There Is a class of cavaliers amongst us, Who
scoffpgly argue that this is purely a utiltarian
age; that it demands rugged facts not sickIy SEN
timents; that this sort of thing may do for ro-
nance writers, the dealers in the wonderful or
amateur antiguarians; that such enterprises are
not in keeping with the modern march of improve
ment, the monotone music of machinery. or the war
of contending engines in the rush for the spols of
trade travel and tonnage. Shame upon such yio.
lence to the gentler and nobler sentiments OF our
nature! Such people would not hesitate, if they
could doit. to create fruits without flowers, and
prefer the practical results Of autumn without the
booming petals of propitious spring The alb
soiptely essential. the universally usefcL is the
cold conclusion of such reasoners They would
reduce all taste-all sentiment-to the narrow
compass of their own contracted tastes They
would disrobs even the summer cloud of Its DO W
of promise, If a few drops more of generous rain
could thereby be secured, rob the sky above MS
of its fathomless blue its gorgeous tints and its
vapours Of gold, if but half hour more OF sun
light could add to their gain.
But we have been led away from noticing the
hall of tho Historical Society and some of Its
contents, an examination of which cannot fail to
prove interesting to every lover of virginia and
her past history. The visitor will be astonished
to tnd that with all the disadvantages of poverty
and general want OF public sympathy, there are a
number of valuable paintings hanging around the
walls, which have for the most part been presen-
tsd to the society.
The first that will arrest the attention of ysi.
tor, is the face of the peerless WASHINGTON py
Sully, copied from Gilbert Stuart's Senate picture
Much might be said why this should NOT be ad nit
ted TO be the national portrait of the iliustrious
chief; but we pass on to the next, which discloses
the serene face of the gentle and phiIosophic MAD
ISoN contrasting strangely with the stsrn features
Of EDMOND pEsDLEroN near blythe eminent jurist
and statesman of l776 the compeer aud rival of a
race OF contemporaries whom lofty destiny seems
TO have reserved for the special work Of moulding
empires.
Over the doors, and on either side Of the two last
mentioned portraits, Capt. PERCY of the noble
House of Northumberland and Lord CoLEPEPPER.
Fhe was the gallant associate of Smith in his
numerous adventures with the natives soon after
the first landing at jamestown He IL clad in Grim
son robe and lace, and would not lie called hand.
| some at this day. The other, who has left moth
ing worth being recorded of him, except that a
county bears his name now. is dressed in full ar
NOR of polished steel, but his handsome, effemi-
nate face would rather lead US to think him more
successful in loves contests, than suited to wars
rough pastime.
Next before us is PATRICK HENRY, whose anina-
| ted face beams with patriotic energy. His pierc-
ing eye seems scanning the omiuous future, as il
his prophetic vision already saw the chains OF
slavery rivetted upon his country men. 1t is most
striking picture, and gives at glaGce the impress
| sion of good likeness. 1t is by Robert Suily,
from miniature in the possession of some of his
descendants.
JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke, the eccentric child
Of genius, with his shriveled face, his furnace
looking eyes, and bis inexorable chin, looks fear
iessiy down, from near the august presence OF
Chief Justice MARSHALL, whose majestic brow
looks indeed ''the dome OF otthought-the palace OF
the SOUL" This picture is from the pencil OF
young WM. MYERS, of this city, who copied il from
Iumau's picture. Such work from one so young
gives promise of great hereafter The artist
has perfectly caught the Dercepiice expression OF
face remarkable for this trait of great mind
The large lustrous eye seems to absorb all il
gazes upon, appropriating TO the thought the
gathered trophies OF a boundless power of com
prehension.
Below the last mentioned are THOMAS JErrHR
SON and GEORGE MASON, side by side, as In the
stormy days of the Revoution--the one rs author
Of the Declaration of Independence, the other, as
former is copy by Guillaume, from an original
and presented face full of contemplative dignity
and repose. The ''Great Apostle of Liberty was
probably not as handsome as he here appears
but doubtless had more force and vigor of counte
nance than is here expressed. The portrait oi
GEORGE MASON, also by Gnillaume, is probably the
most pleasing work of art in the room. The
-age of Guuston Hall is decked in his best attire
fhe combination OF grey, blae, gold and lace and
rutiies is exquisttely agreeable to the eye. Youth
, fpl nd mil l,a Ianly tl,s
elegant host and gentleman bestowipg his gracious
ftvors either at his ancestral analosla. or under
the hospitable roof of his own hall He was the
fourth Of noble line who from Staffordshire,
in England, to Stafford county, Va, had been hon
orabe in name and place for successive genera
tions.
We must here close our notice for to day, prom.
isiDg to resume it very soon; and in the meantime
we invite the members of the General Assembly to
visit the Hall, and see What efforts being made
to reclaim from destruction the history of our be-
loved old Common wealth.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR PREsENr.-By way
of flushing up tho Masonic history connected
with the I'D, We lay before readers this morn
ing sketch of the interesting proceeding of the
assembly of knights Templar held on Saturday
night last, which we have been compelled to with
hold until the present moment, because o1 the
crowded state Of our columns. The proceedings
show the high estimate in which one OF their most
jealous members is held by the fraternity at
large, and the present is but a. inst tribute to
jxst man.
The presentation of full set of Knight Templar
clothing, was made by WM Is. lsAacs, Esq. IN
substantially the following language, to Sir T. II.
GnL Grand Commander Of Richmond Comman-
derry, No. 2:
Eminent Sir:-When We find man in our midst
endowed with all the fine attributes of our nature
.brotherly love. relief and truth his life governed
by the four card nal virtues Temperance, Fofitnde
Prudence and Jastiee-those very and only eements
ltrs-t t. iss n xaaFa