The hydraulic press., 1861-07-20
Che Auaraulie gress.
wipfau Painted to the Life


respondent of the Philadelphia Press, draws
the following portrait of Senator Wigfall,
who, with jeff. DAVIS and Toombs, has just
taken up quarters in Richmond:
Wigfall is in every way notable and note
worthy person. He is little, squatty man,
with hair all over his face. You have seen
a plump English bull-pup, half grown.
When such pup growls you may easily
and fury" l will not add "signifying
nothing" Wigfal is full of meaning, in
explcable meaning, to judge by the very
small portion which has escaped him. He
belongs to that mysterious, crusading blood,
which boils within so fercely that nothing
but froth ever comes out. May be you are
not aware he shot Brooks Summers assail-
anti in a duel, some twenty years ago. And
thus far he has claims to regard He is
moreover a man of rare Accomplishment S,
is efficient as champion against the des-
perate tiger of King Faro, and can drink
himself blind drunk as quick as any nan.
Moreover Wigfall is an expert broadswords-
man, a keen pistol shot, and terrible
swearer. All but you should hear him
swear Such a variety of oaths-oaths
sentimental, oaths referential, oaths common,
feminine and neuter of all sizes and shapes,
and for every emergency, real or imaginary.
You straight-laced Quakers can't altogether
appreciate the full force, effect, service
prestige of full, round, unvarnshed OATH
With the chivalry it is staple commodity
of the most excellent quality. With our
ancient cavaliers, you remember, it was a
weapon of wonderful prowess. 1t has not
degenerated. From "by my halidom,'' to
"damn your eyes" the expletive has gained
strength, versatility, melody of rythm, music
of diction and force of character. Wigfall
could illustrate the entire science, and
philosophcally treat if he chose, with exam
pies, calculations and limitations.
Wigfall, believe me, is no coward. He is
what might be ftly denomnated poetical
bully Last fall out in Texas, he got into
a dreadful row with A., a friend of his.
Straightway he sent him note, to wit:
"Compliments Of Wigfall to A., and desires
to know if he will accompany him out of
the limits of the State"
To which A. replied instanter:
GAS compliments to Wigfall, begs to
assure him that he (WlgfalD is too damned
coward to fulfill any such engagement if
entered into"
Several days elapse. A. hears nothing of
Wigfall. At length, one rainy afternoon, as
he was sitting alone in his room writing
gentle rap came upon the door-a rap as soft
as the tap. of dove. "Come imp The
door slowly opened, and there stood Wigfall
"Well, A." said he, meekly, "the lion and
lamb will sometimes meet, you know
"D-n you," replied A, (which is the
lion and which is the lamb here 2"
Wigfal studied moment: a heavenly
smile mounted his usually ruby countenance;
magnanimity, amability and plant conde
scension beamed out of every pimple; he
paused but for moment-and replied:
'sWell, A., old fellow, you shall be lion,
and I'll be lamb"
Qouth A, thereupon "Sit down, then,
and take little of that whisky, and quit
making a jack of yourself"
On my honor, record but the simple
truth of history, when | complete my story
by assuring you that before leaving the
room, Wigfall had obtained a temporary
loan mot yet liquidated) of $500.
The thing called ''chivalry" is a queer
jade. l know of no more tilting, jilting,
flirting, delusive substance.
1t is good deal like the toast of Wigfall
himself-"nvincible in peace, invisible in
war" The chevaliers wear long hair, like
Sampson of old, and Roger A. Pryor They
swear, too, like torty-seven pirates, and
drink whisky worse than Camanche. They
like cocktail better than they like a cock
ade, but do not obje't to the latter, if it is
tipped with ermine and turned up with gold
lace They like to be patted upon the back,
cheered and encouraged, and don't object to
a puff we'll worded in the newspapers.
Chivalry is like wasp, biggest when in the
egg. Ancient chvalry was marked for ar
dor, modern chivalry for adroitness the
heroes of the crusades exhibited much
boldness and little discretion in getting into
q fight the modern heroes illustrate the
inverse rule, and are much guided by one
guardian principle, show to dodge bull
let." Robin Hood was an ancient member
OF olden chivalry-Wigfall and Pryor of the
modern.