The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-04-18

vadt 10 Columbia. A gentleman who has
scna msny q .as grounds Of the great per-
any ehinG there to equal this Eden of a rardsn
CoiumIia u ~ much renowned for hesI,h A.
beauty 1t has never been visited by yellow
fever. cholera. or any epidemic.
South CaroiinaY sreatest Twin, .or w.,
William @ Preston, resides In Colnmbsa
though, Of late years, he has paseed his snr,' >
.s msrs Ssasrsily IN Virginia. The feeble health
active life, has not affected his masniicen. -.
teilect Since the days Of Patrick Henry. whose
blood 10 in his veins, America has hady ,o .,cH
Orator rs1 a. vs. w% .. Preston was in his glorious
able history Of DIR. La BOrde. 10 which 7 have
oelore referred, was born Dec u. 1904. His
paternal grandfather was Lieutenant.(,o,n.
n,a9;a manaant OF Augusta county during the Rev
oiution his mother, the only child Of Ool.
Campbell. Of Kings Mountain. and her
mother was a sister Of Patrick Henry. He
commenced the study Of law in Richmond. in
tne once OF VIM Writ. He afterwards visited
Europe, aud took a course Of instr YuctiOn on
CiVlI Law in the celebrated University ofScot-
iHno, IN Edinburgh On his return. he selected
Coiumoia, South Carolina, as his residence
HnI ,a.,a commenced the practice of the law. In
1873 ne was elected to the State Ieeisia ture
and In 1896 to the Senate of the United states
Seyond dispute, he was the first orator in that
body. When South Carolina, in the Presi.
dental contest. concluded to give its support
to Van Buren, and his party. Col. Preaton re
signed his seat and returned to the practice of
the law. in which he was employed, when, in
lSij. he was elected President OF the South
Carolina College. DR.. La Borde-who remarks
that Mr.. Preston was the contemporary OF
McDuffie, Hamilton, Hayne, Legare. Hooper
Tnrnbull, If which brilliant group he is the
solitary survivor-says he was uneQ ualled rs
popular speaker by any of the members, un-
less it be McDuffie In CONGREGATIONAL mower
he has had few equals. "Who that has ever
heard him." says DIR. La Borde, "can forget
ms point, his anecdote. his fullnpss his va
riety, his ease his grace. his vivacity, his ele-
gance, his initiative talent, and that curl
Gus felicity of expression, which, in South
Carolina, has been characterized as Pres.onian,"
Still, under the pressure Of severe bodily in
hrmities, ne Is cheerful, social, brilliant in
conversation. distinguished by the same readi-
ness and aptness of quotation and facility Of
illustration which have ever DISTINGUISHED his
literary character, the flowers of wit and pe-
mus oeantifylng with their bloom and fra
GRANGE the grand old physical structure. at
which Disease has dealt some heavy blows,
but which still stands high and erect, noble
ana imposing even in its age and decay.
Col. Preston is no less distinguished by the
benevoience and generosity of his character.
than by his intellect and scholarship The
Columbia AthenRum is a noble mon umept OF
his liberality and love Of letters. This insti-
tuition was established by him, and he made it
a gift of his own library. containing nearly
three thousand volumes The venerable states
man and orator is still quite hopeful Of the
Republic. He does not share the forebodings
Preston is abont to leave Columbia on his peri
odical visit to Virginia, and, amid the bracing
airs OF its noble noun tains let us hope that
he will breathe in new strength OF body and
fresh buoyancy of heart.
On Sunday last, Easter Sunday,) the prin-
cipal Episcopal Church Of this city OF which
the excellent Mr.. Shands is Rector, according
to ancient and beautiful usage, was decorated
throughout with flowers, fit offerings Of na.
ture, just rejoicing in her Resurrection from
the grave OF Winter, upon the altar of Risen
God. From pillar TO pillar of the beautiful
edifice were festoons Of the leafy glories of the
spring, whilst each pillar was encircled with
the floral tributes, and the spacious chancel
looked like f1ower-garden. The Easter mu-
sic, which 1 have never heard surpassed, the
balmy fragrance of the flowers, and the bright
beauty of the day, made it scene and
an occasion not soon to be forgotten.
would like, would my space permit, to
speak Of my visit to the studio of Mr..
Scarborough, one of the finest artists
paying an humble tribute to the ability and
talent OF the press Of this city. The press is
one of the best standards of the ir telligence
and good taste of q community. DIR. r. w.
aibbes, the proprietor of the South Caroli-
nian, is distinguished physician, and emil
nent in the pursuits Of sciente and literature.
The editor, Mr.. Franklin Gaillard, is a young
gentleman Of decided ability, fine accomplish
ments, and great Independence Of character
Charles T. Pelham, Esq, proprietor and edi-
tor OF the Southern Guardian, is q gentleman
OF superior powers ana rich and varied
He was q Professor of the
South Carolina College for eleven years, q
portion of the time in the department OF Ro-
man Literature, and afterwards occupying
the Chair of History, Political Philosophy
and Political Economy. His contributions to
his own press, and to the Sou thern Quarterly
Review, prove him one Of the strongest and
most classical writers Of the South.
am glad to see in my Southern travels
that the Dispatch newspaper is universal
favOrite. The ntlemen " the press every.
where speak Of it In terms highly gratifying
to those by whose enterprise aud energy it
was established and has attained such siYcal
prosperity. B.