Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-02-02
A Hundred Years AGO.

The Eclectic Magazine, for February, repro
duces from The Leisure Hour an article emit
tied 50 One Hundred Years Ago which pre-
sents brief but striking summary Of the state
Of England in 1865, and Of the prominent events
Of that period. In that year George III. was
in the fifth year Of his reign and the twenty
eighth ofhis age. The great event of that day
but then deemed OF subordinate Importance
TO another question that agitated England-;he
question Of the regency, which finally over
threw the GRESYILLg ministry-was the at
tempted introduction Of the stamp act into the
American colonies. Il was on this occasion
that the great CHATHAM, then WILLIAM PHI,
rose from a sick bed to lit his voice in favor
of repeating that hated tax. 1t was on the
same occasion that the then young EDMUND
BURKE made his debut in the House Of Com
mons. \ circumstance alluded to IN the same
connection, as possessing a singular interest at
the present day, is an order Of his Majesty's
Government 10 divide the colonies into two
districts northern and SOuthern-the bOun-
Diary to be the river Potomac and a line drawn
westward from it.
Oar profoundest astonishment is excited by
the contemplation Of the wonderful changes
wrought in the condition, development and dcS-
TIMES Of this country within that cycle OF
years. Never, since the world began, have
such great results been wrought in any coun-
try within the same period. Out of thirteen
feeble colonial dependencies a vast Republic of
thirty-six States and numerous Territories has
been formed colossal Government that
dwarfs many of the old Governments Of Eu-
rope, and bids fair, in wealth, power and terri
torial extent, to surpass them all. Before the
growth OF this power nearly a whole race has
become extinct-that aboriginal race by which
this country was peopled-whilc another race,
whose home was in Africa, now counts its num-
beers By millions. Forests have been cut down,
swamps reclaimed, and millions OtacreS placed
under cultivation. Deserts have been pcnetra-
ted, colouized, built up aud made TO blossom
and bear fruit. Cities OF the first magnitude
have sprung up. Localities, now the sites OF
large, populous aud still growing cities, were
twenty years ago-in many instances ten and
fifteen years ago-wild lands. The revolution
that tore these colonies from the English crown,
has been followed in these latter days by a civil
CONFUSION that threatened to rend the two
sections in twain, and to erect them into Sepd-
rate governments diScOrdant and belligerent
From this condition the country was finally
saved, more, it is to be apprehended, by its
physical power than by its virtue. Its unity is
treasured, but q change great, permanent,
radical change-has been wrought in the gc-
MUS of its Constitution. 1t Is not now, and will
never be- the same Government that it was be-
fore the war.
But, to return to England in 1865. At that
time brilliant host OF literati were gathered
in London around their autocrat, old SAM
JOHNSON among them GOLDSMITH, BURKE,
Boswell, and the great artist, RgYNoLDs.-
GIBBOS was not then known, and HUME was
Just appearing upou the horizon. CowPER, the
poet was then an inmate of Dr.. COTToN'S pri-
vate asylum ~ St. Adams. The eclipse sub
sequently passed from his mind, aud he stood
revealed the pureSt poet OF that age. GRAY, the
author Of the " Elegy :" You've, author Of the
" Night of Thoughts" (who died in that year,
AKINsIDE, LYTTLEToN, LANGHoRNE, HANNAH
MORE, ADAM SMITH, ROBERTSON, BEATTY,
CHUCHILL, CHESTERFIELD, STERNE, GARRICE,
Horace WALPoLE, CHArrEEroN and OssIAN
MCPHERsON were some OF the distinguished
persons who figured at that period. PITT, the
younger, was then at school at Hayes. VII
LIAM WuBERFORCE was an urchiu OF six years
OF age, al Hull. The great NELSON was a gal
liant boy Of seven, and ROBERT BURNS, in his
sixth year, was running bareiooted about Ayre-
shire. Steamers, railways, telegraphs, photo
graphs, Armstrong guns, penny postage, and
thousand other inventions were unknown.