The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-14
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.
prlresETEG March 10 lSf6


II is understood that Mr.. David May, one OF
the Judges of the Freedmens Court, and APP
pointed by the colored citizens u their repre-
sentative, has felt constrained To tender his
resignation, the duties OF the office conflicting
materially with his personal interests. This,
al least is the ostensible reason. But under
lying il, and having Il secret influence may be-
the treatment he received III court from one OF
his constituents--a leading man among the
freedmen--Who upDralued HIM III terms almost
amounting 10 insult. He was promptly re-
buked by the Court but to II gentleman of
keen sensibiiity, who had never, through a
long life, incurred the ceusure of his equals,
the angry rcproach of Il negro must have been
extremely offensive. i have heard no init
nation as 10 his probable successor, but il is TO
be apprehendcd the choice may fall on some
one whose course can be moulded more III con-
fofmity with the preIudices of the colored lii-
ganlS, who are numerous enough 10 control
any election.
Since the termination OF the war, q great
amount of light literature, which accumula-
ted during the four years We're cut OIL from
the world, has been introduced into our city
and read with ayidity The intellectual appe
lite, like the natural, had, from long fasting,
become somewhat ravenous. Novelty in lite
nature, like novelty i'll the fashions, has ire
sistible attractions, especially in the eyes of
lady readers. Old books are thrust aside like
last years bonnets. Nor can the male readers,
if there are many such these times boast of
much greater stability in their literary tastes.
Rather a striking illustration of this &C.
CURED few days ago at the sale of the library
of the late John W. Syme He had a fine col
lection of three or four hundred volumes of
standard works, embracing some that were
quite rare. After being open TO inspection for
several days, the most desirable, with perhaps
one or two exceptions, were Sold at twenty five
cents volume, while the larger number
brought, under the auctioneers hammer, five
cents per pound This is certainly u novel
mode of vending literature.
Speaking of Mr.. Syme revives many recol
lectiOns of former days. 1t brings to mind
the excited party contests in which he was an
actor during his long editorial career-con
tests which, in these times of prostration,
have as little in terest as twice told tales. He
was n man of strong impulses, and was in the
habit of giving free expression TO his convic-
tions, without, however, often transcending
the bounds of editorial courtesy. Few wri-
tiers eXcelled him in the force and yigor of his
style, which bore strong resemblance to that
of the late John Hampden Pleasants. AS a
paragraphist he was almost inimitable: his
elaborate articles We're less telling. Having
been acquainted with him for q number of
years, / willingly seize this occasion to pay
him feeble tribute. He had many fine qua
hties he was honest both as n politician and
RS a man. He was, indeed, not without his
failings but If il be true that man should
so that the memory of the dead should be
shielded from reproach.
have no Improvement to record during the
last week in the way OF trade. business of
all kinds is extremely dull The decline in
cotton continues, and the tobacco market is
inactive. The most pleasing evidence see of
future prosperity is in the quantity of guano
forwarded TO the country, TO be used In the
culture Of Our staple crops. SSowDES.