Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-12-17
JKo- N. DANIELS LATCH KEY.


Il Memoir of the Late Editor Of
the Richmond Examiner On DR..
George ", Ba06U Editor of the
Natire TirgiHidn, 1868.
This work has for the first time been
laid upon our table. For it we are iu-
debted to the courtesy nf the author
whose reputation as polished and
forcible writer it should largely aug
ment, The subject is in many respects
brilliant and attractive one, but there
has been no writer in Virginia, since
Mr.. Daniel himself passed beyond the
flesh, who has enriched our LITERATURE
with aught which for perspicuity oil
style, purity of english or for exatins
and thrilling interest, has surpassed this
eff rs IF DR.. Bagby. The ornamental
style of inviting the attention of the
reader seems to have been totally dis
regarded by the author, who seems to
have aimed at a nervously faithful aud
exact portraiture Of the much crs brated
founder Of the Examiner. Nj Daniel
became very generally known in Vir.
giuia and had acquired distinction,
by no means limited, throughout the
Union. Yet the American public knew
him only as the bold, defiant, and caus-
tic, though polished, Editor, DIR. Bagby.
by means of the Latch Key, introduces
The reader to the private life and un-
dissembled being of his subject. The
= revelations there made are those which
the world should be allowed to behold,
but we very largely question whether
they are not such as even Mr.. Daniel
would have preferred to carry with him
into that dark future before which his
own moral faculties were too blunt to
shuddcr. Viewed through the columns
of the Examiner, and by means of the
Latch Key, there is a discrepancy which
we opinc is founded in that spirit which
causes even devils TO "ciie Scripture. -
But few would imagine from his own
spleadid productions that they were the
cmanations of spirit too proud to bow
before Jehovah, or which was too blind
TO see Him in tho invisible footsteps of
tho wind. His forcible and frequent
use Of Holy Writ exhibited susccpti,
bility to its maIcbless imagery and r.
resistable truth which requires tho ag,
gregation Of Mr.. Daniels powers Of
resistance to conceal 1t is extensively
known that he was an ardent admirer
Of Gov. Floyd, bis "han Of bronze"
tndeed it is doubtful whether there
was any other man of bis time for whom
he did cherish pure, permanent aud
ardeut friendship. Yet Floyd, though
wicked, was an involuntary wor.hper
of the Great God Of the christian world
Mr.. Daniel died the death of eynic :;
Gov Floyd that of rep,ntant believer
in Jesus. Mr. Daniel scoifed at the
rendered mission of DIR. IIoge, and bis
pertnrbed but proud spirit banished bis
dearest aud most anxious friend from
his bedside that it might pass unob
served Into that unknown which sent
no light to greet him in his transit of
existence. Gov. Floyd in his last days
called to his bedside the man of God
and fed his famished soul upon the Holy
Eucharist.
II canuot be surprising that a man.
who'e unbeief was Of Jewish mould
aud intensity, should be unimpressibs
b. the purity aud worth of WOMAN
Tue irresistible sequence of a premis,
20 plainly written in the rotiracy of hii
lie |" 6eheld in a love Of self wAirl
bro"ph' forth its frutage Of yani,v an,
dwarfed the moral principle Of the man
The soorn With wbiSa sealih sna mo-.
look d"wn upon genius IN rags ma
b've tho effect IT pouring bitterness. /,
10 the chambers Of the heart, tu, A.,