Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-06-25

pared, and Astounding In Instructive Interest.
Berkeley was settled, he said; BY two concur,
rent streams of emigration; one flowing from
Pennsylyania, and the other from Eastern
Virginia In this valley they met, and har-
monionsly blended. The Orator illustrated
and vindicated the characters of some of the
most distinguished historical personases who
had claimed Berkeley as their home Charles
Lee, Gates, Stevens. Darke and others. He
alluded to the well. known tradition that An.
drew Jackson was born in Berkeley But
far more valuable. and interesting as a con-
tribution. TO history. was his authentic Winds
cation. of the claim of James Rumsey to be
the inventor of the Steamboat. He re-
cited the carefully worded certificate of
George Washington who witnessed the ex-
pertinent of Mr.. Rumsey on the Potomac and,
though at first skeptical, was convinced that
Mr.. 4Rnmsey had succeeded in ..propelling
boats by machinery" and that the discovery
was destined to revolutionize the art of navi>
cation. Rumsey afterwards met Robert Full.
ton in England, aud communicated to him
his secret, and more than ten years afterwards,
the latter repeated on the Hudson the ex-
periments Of Rumsey on the Potomac
After Gen., Strother had concluded, there
was a recess for refreshments, and the large
concourse retired from the feast of reason, to
feast of a more substantial character
In about an hour, we were again called
together around the speakers stand by Mr..
Faulkner, who now introduced Rev. Stuart
Robinson. This great orator-oue of the
greatest of his day-addressed the vast multi
tude as Fathers, Motherss Brothers and
rs:!'-forisuch they were to him in the
bonds of common and beloved birth.spot
We can not describe this speech 1t was cleo
tr'cal in effect, grand in conception, and
masterly in delivery. The speaker has one
arm so injured that, from the elbow to the
shoulder, it can not be elevated. This is very
noticeable in his speaking hut it is the pre-
rogative of genins to soften. with its rainbow
colors, even defects into beauties. His design
was to trace the source. and Distinguishing
features of that civilization which had char
acterized the century just closed. What we're
the principles that nnderlay it? It's origin
and here the speaker, with few masterly
strokes gave the key notes and musical ont
line of magnificent epic, with Washington
for its hero, and America for the field of ac.
ton. Here, said the speaker, was the theme
of an heroic poem erander than the Iliad. or
Ened-an Americad, whose hero was greater
than Achilles, or Hueas and whose events
surpassed in magnitude all the issues of the
Ancient world.
''From lda's Mount to Cither on from Cithnron to
Rome!'
He thought the principles underlying the vast
progress of the last century could he easily
distinguished, and defined They were the
law of Labor-''in the sweat Of thy brow
shalt thou eat thy bread !'-the Marriage Re-
lation or Family; and the law of the Pro-
grcss of races-''multiply and repleuish the
earth ~
These ideas were developed with wonderful
power of argument and illustration Old,
grotesque, faces could be seen under the
speaker, now ready to shed tears and then
winking with hun,or, roaring with laughter.
But we can not follow any further this
wonderful ''son of an Irish Weaver" He
dealt in great, round, ponderous thoughts.
that came pouring down upon the audience.
like an avalanche of bouders from the top of
a mountain.
When DR.. Robinson had concluded, the
youth and beauty of the acknowledgement
there was great deal OF beauty, rich, and
sparkling las the wines of Ischia"-began to
turn longingly to the benches prepared for
Dancing, and leaving them to follow their
own social fancics until the moon rose. if so
inclined, your correspondent retraced his
journey to the city, and shall long cherish in
memory the Incidents associations. and recol.
lections Of Berkeleys first Centenary.