The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-04-24


tor.
F1RE.-The barn Of Mr.. Sylvester L.
Burford, at Burford's station, in Amherst
county, was fired by an incendiary on
Wednesday night, and entirely destroyed.
The barn contained about forty barrels of
corn, large quantity Of hay, a threshing
machine, wheat fan, and a number of plows
and other implements all of which were
consumed. Mr.. Burford's loss will reach
$1,000 at the least.-Lynchbrg Ne,os.
THE .PEACuEs.-Without any further
casualty intervening between this and the
ripening season, q nearly average crop will
be realized. Some Of our southwestern ex-
changes predict like result in that Sec
ton. As the apple and other harder fruit
trees were but partially in bloom, the dam
age sustained by them from frost was COM
paratively of trivial nature.-Bedford
Sentinel.
We are gratifed to learn from many of
our citizens that the peaches have been but
little injured by the late frosts and freezes.
The present prospect for an abundant fruit
crop is said to be promising. -Ab;ngdon
Vrginian. ~.
The ENCOURAGEMENT OF LEARNING
The Lexington Gazette says:
The recent action of the trustees of
Washington College, establishing the Office
of resident master, is hopeful omen for
the advancement of scholarship in our
country. It is the first instance in Anne
RIGA, 60 far as we are informed, Of the dis
tinct endowment of an income for the en-
couragement of distinguished scholarship,
and the support Of young men during con-
tinued residence at college, after their
graduation. Scholarships III colleges, as
known among us, have conferred only GER
tain privileges free Of charge. The Of
fee of resident graduate has been, we
believe, of the came nature. But in
this case distinct salary is paid by
the college sufficient for the support
of the student, and he is further en-
titled not only to all the privileges of the
college, free of charge, but is empowered
to teach in the college, for further compen-
sation to be fixed by the faculty. The office
is restricted to Masters of Arts, and the
limited number Of appointments-three
each year-ensures that it shall be con-
ferred only upon the most distinguished
even among them. Thus the strongest en-
couragement is offered for the attainment of
the most thorough scholarship during the
undergraduate course, and afterwards the
amplest means are afforded for the further
pursuit of study under the most favorable
circumstances.
The object of the trustees of Washington
College was to build up an association of
distinguished scholars, and to encourage
such young men to remain at college beyond
the usual term of collegiate study, in order
to pursue systematically, and with the ad-
vantages of mature years and thorough
preparation, more complete course. The
office Of teaching, connected with the ap-
pointment, was designed to confer expe-
rience and discipline Of character, but
more especially to serve as an introduction
to this profession, in which now are needed
the best scholarship and talents Of the
country. We trust that the generous
and wise provision which has thus been
made, in behalf of the cause Of true
scholarship, will be widely appreciated ;
and that by the success of this enterprise
other colleges may be encouraged to follow
the example. 1t is, We understand, the in
tention OF the trustees to increase the num-
Der Of these masterships, and the income
attached to them, as rapidly as it can be
safely done. To plan 80 admirable, and
promising such happy results, we wish the
utmost success. In no direction, We feel
sure, could the funds Of the college be bet
ter applied, and it would be difficult for
the college to present higher claim upon
the munifcence of its friends than the en-
dowment of these resident masterships.
A ScoUNDREL ADvENTUEER-ExTEN-
sIvE MATRIMONIAL OPERATIoNs.-Some
time during the war man named Edwin
D. Boone, who had served in the Confede-
rate army as captain in Wheat's battalion
of Louisiana rifles, established himself in
this city and being Of rather prepossessing
manners and person, succeeded in marry
ing young lady of the city Of respectable
family connections. Boone did not enjoy
the best reputation, and number Of reports
were circulated to the disparagement Of his
character but he pretended to become
converted at revival of religion at the
Centenary church, and toseem very piously
inclined-by which means he built up his
damaged reputation, and was regarded by
some credulous brethren as young man Of
very lovely disposition and exemplary
habits. His married life, 30 far as any
one knows, was exemplary and happy. He
became the father Of three children, all of
whom died while mere infants.
Some twelve months ago Boone Yves ar
rested at the instance Of 8 Federal COM
missioner on the charge Of having muir
dered q Methodist preacher in Scott county
during the war. He was few days con-
iued in the city jail, but was released
without being put upon trial, by az order
of General Wilcox. After this adventure
Boone went to England, but returned after
brief stay, and again took up his resi-
dence with his wife in this city.
1t appears, however, that he was clways
uneasy, lest the authorities should cause
him trouble about the alleged murder in
Scott county. About five weeks ego John
Robinson's circus visited the city, when
Boone, on the pretext Of sbsenting himself
till ell danger Of his rearreSt had passed,
attached himself to the company, and left
his wife here, not being able to remove her
with him, and directing her not to write
to him until he was finally established and
wrote or came for her.
Boone next comes to the surface in the
ruho he