Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-08-17

RANDOLPH AMONG TIE BOYs.-A correspondent OF
the Central Presbyterian furnishes some rcmn-
SCIENCES of his school days, more than fifty years
ago The celebrated John Randolph, then at the
zenith of his power leading member of Con-
gresS, had three wards (nephews) at the school,
(hat of Rev. Drury Lacy, rince Edward county,
Va, and used to be frequent visitor. The writer
says:
1t was Mr. Lacys custom to hear his boys recite
their Latin and Greek grammar lessons before break
fast and have known Mr. Randolph, more than
once to come from Bizarre two miles,) and enter
the school house before sun-ap. At o'clock the
school was formally opened, when all the boys read
about in the Bible, until the chapter por
ton was finished. Mr. Randolph always seemed
highly pleased with this exercise. read his in
turn and with Mr.. Lacy would sometimes ask
questions. On one occasion, whilst reading one Of
the books of the Pentateuch he stopped a lad with
the question:
tom Miller, you tell me who was Moses
fathery"
"Jethro, sir" was the prompt answer.
"Why-you little dog, Jethro was his father-n-
Then putting the question to four or five others
by name not one of whom could answer, he berated
them soundly for their carclessness and inattenton
in reading. saying.-"When You were reading last
week. William Cook read the containing the
name of Moses father and have you all forgotten it
already 2"
Just then the young man caught the name, and
unable to repeat the of the Bible, repeated
part of line from Milton
"The potent rod of Aram's son." &c.
"Ah," said Mr. Randolph, that is the way you
learn your Bible-get it out of other books-what
little YOU know of it-and, with exceedingly
solemn manner of tone, added, land so it is with
all-and terrible proof of deep depravity it is,
that we can relish and remember anything Better
than THE Book"
The very ntterance, simple as it Was filed every
one with awe, and made him feel guilty, whilst at
the same time it impaired reverence for the Bible
which was never felt before, and which, from one
mind at least never will be effaced Mr.. Randolph
was so pleased however, with the young man that
quoted from his favorite author, that in short
tme-as soon, perhaps, as he could get it from
Richmond-hc presented him with beautiful copy
of Millions Paradise Lost, with suitable inscription
in his own elegant handwriting.
THE GRAPE CuLTuRE-The culture of the grape
for the purpose of making wine, Is attracting con-
siderable attention now in this State. For many
wears it has been talked Of and some small attempts
were made but the little success attending it. led at
one time to its abandonment. Many will recollect
the earnest efforts of the late eccentric Rev. Sidney
Weller of Halifax to induce our citizens to embark
largely into the business but the old died with
out realizing his hopes. The great success of Mr..
Longworth in the higher latitude of Ohio, at Gin
cinnat has perhaps done more to revive the con-
viction that something might be done yet in North
Carolina, than any thing else. And the successful
experiments of Mr.. Bryan, we belie"e that is his
name, of Columbus county, has solved the doubt,
that North Carolina in soil and climate is eminently
adapted to wine making We understand, that that
gentleman is making thousands Of dollars annually,
from wines made from grapes grown by himself in
that County. His wines are said to be excellent
and to be in great demand
Our main object in pcnnng this article, was to
call the attention ofgrape growers to native grape
which has been cultivated for several years in this
County, by Mr.. Mish. The Msh grape is dark
red, thin skin, sweet, good sized grape, and more
delicious than the far-famed Scuppernong, and is
better adapted to wine making Mr.. Mish lives a
few miles below this place, and would be glad to
give information about it. and furnish vines
Washington Dispatch.