Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-08-31
JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE.

i ofk sSCentury' n1ShIy interesting article
on the eloquent, but very eccentric John
Randolph-called by one ssthe abortive child
of talent and notoriety." We extract the
following in reference to his singular appear
ance and peculiaritieS: ssLet me introduce
my sketch by marked contrast. Over the
fireplace of one of the apartments at Roanoke,
hung, not many years ago, the portrait OF
boy of twelve, by Gilbert Stuart. In the rosy
complexion, the bright plump cheeks, the
laughing eyes, and beautiful lips of the boy,
You saw and felt the fresh charms of youth, the
innocent and sweet grace of childhood. One
who knew the original once held up his hands
and exclaimed, ssI never saw such beautiful
boy!" His skin was peculiarly thin and del
icate, and the warm blood played visibly be-
meath. In the happy eyes and ingenious lips,
every motion was distinctly revealed. Such
was Randolph at twenty years of age. What
was he at fifty or even forty 1 examined his
portrait some time since with melancholy in
terest. The keen eyes fixed coldly and stead
lily on the beholder defed every attempt to
read the thought of the brain underneath.
The hair parted in the middle and gathered
behind the ears, had lost the youthful gloss of
old days. and was stiff and intractabe. The
bright cheeks had become sallow and shrunken.
Bitter tears had dimmed the bright eyes once
so brilliant midnight agony and groans had
wasted the round cheeks :-between the smil
ing portrait of Gilbert Stuart and the picture
looked on of the aged man. there was scarce
ly. any resemblance to be discovered.
Randolph's figure, like his face, was full of
singular eccentricity. Tall, angular, thin as
shadow, he resembled rather some ghost
from another world, than a veritabe being of
flesh and blood. His limbs were wonderfully
slender and the fashion of the time served to
display this popularity to its fullest extent.
He wore small clothes so tight that they SEEM
ed to be part of his person; and the snow
IL, - 81 h-o
small gold buckle, fitted as closely as the Gu
ticle almost. Over these, and reaching mid
way the calf, were pair OF coarse, country
knit yarn stockings, or chose - as they were
then called. His shoes were of the old revo-
lutionary fashion, with huge buckles-his coat
ample, and buttoned tightly around his slen-
der woman-like waist; his chin half buried
itself in the folds of great white cravat, and
the dry fiaxen hair was surmounted by a fur
cap. The movements of this singular figure
were as unique as the costume. In walking,
Randolph followed the Indian fashion, placing
the foot straight in front--the toes inclined
neither inward nor outward. A fanciiul mind
might have attributed this popularity to his
Indian blood, for he descended in the
seventh degree from the Princess Pocohontas.
Moving quickly and slowly by starts, with
head thrown back, and the keen eyes spark
ling beneath the rim of his dark fur cap, often
muttering to himself, to wake consciousness
of the world around him, ,and stride on rapidly
to his lonely apartment-this singular figure
was eminently calculated to attract the atten-
ton OF every one, whether it moved over the
familiar court greens of Virginia. or in the
streets of Washington or London. In both of
these cities he vas the ssobServed of all obser-
vers." The metropolis of England, where
physical peculiartieS and eccentricitieS are
met with incessantly, could furnish nothing
stranger than the form of the orator of Vir-
ginia. In Washington, Baltimore, Philadel-
phia and Richmond, he was the mark.Of all
eyes-to be pointed out with the finger. Boys
often followed him, but rarely laughed, or in
dulged in those practical jokes so congenial
to the miSchevous minds of youth. They
trooped after Randolph, as one who witnessed
the sight declares, ssin silent and curious won-
der" This notoriety annoyed him. but led
to no alteration in his costume. He always
m de of his private vehicle-either a
coach dragged onward by four blooded horses,
or a sulky drawn.by fast trotter. He was
generally driven by Jupiter, his body servant
-ssJuba'' was his familiar name, warm hear
ted and faithful retainer, who loved his master
with extreme affection, and clung to him in
sickness and health, in joy and sorrow.
On par with his singularity of dress and
personal appearance, were the manner of speak
ing, tone of voice, gesticulation in public adj
dress, and habits in general of the individual.
His voice was high pitched, ands under strong
excitement, it rose to shrill key, which pen
etrated to the farthest limits of the greatest
crowd, and was heard above the loudest up
roar. There was satirical and ironical de-
liberation in the shrll invective thus uttered,
which produced curious impression upon the
.lstener. Once heard in his moments of cold
passion,i if may so speak Randolph was never
forgotten. The use which he made of his
long thin re-finger, is well known. He
would sometimes stand for several moments
perfectly silent with his penetrating eye rive
ted upon the person whom he addressed, or of
whom he spoke, and the ghostly finger and
long angular arm moving slowly up and down
when those who were familiar with his habit
knew that he was rejecting and arranging in
the depths of his mind the very words and
turns of phrase of sarcasm or inyectiye which
he designed.
Many anecdotes are related of the effect pro-
duced by the voice and finger-as when, after
violent denunciation of his character and
career from young member of the House, he
rose quietly ,and stretching out his arm, said,
in calm Indifferent tones, ssMr. Speaker, ,cho
is that gentleman ?'' 1t was impossible not to
be interested in his speeches, for they are eX-
quisitely choice in their phraseology; and no
sentence passed his lips which had not first
been framed and polished carefully, so to
speak, in his mind. Often his gestures were
dramatic and expressive as when he render
ed up his public trust after the Old Convention
of which L have spoken. ssIt is time for me to
retire and stand before another and higher
tribunal, - he said solemnly, sswnere a verdict
of acquittal will be of infinitely more impor-
tance than any from an earthly tribunal. Here
is the trust which you placed in my hands
twenty-eight years ago. Then stopping for
ward and extending his arms as though he
rolled great weight toward his hearers, sstake
it back take it back l'' he said, and mount
ing his horse without further words, rode off.
Throughout his entire life, from the day in
March, 1893, when he mounted the rostrum
from which Patrick Henry had just descend