The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-04-03
RECENT PUBLICATIONS.
JOHN RANDOLPH.

Home "reminiscences of John Randolph OF ffoa-
aoke. By Polohatan Bouldin.
Mr.. Boudin, SOB of the late Hon. james W.
Bouldin, of Charlotte county, Va, was brought
up in the neighborhood where Mr.. Randolph lived
and died. He states also that fifteen years ago
business called him to the homes OF nearly all the
old citizens of the county. From intercourse with
them, as well as from manuscripts obtained from
them, he had excellent means of learning we'll the
history and character of the extraordinary man de-
lineated in these pages. This book is not cor
nected life of Mr. Randolph, but simply series OF
sketches. While it culls from previous publica'
tons by other authors, it adds great deal OF fresh
| material gathered from independent sources, and
certainly there are in it many things exceedingly
curious and interesting and Mr.. Bouldin has laid
the public, especially in Virginia, under an obga-
ton of gratitude for this valuable contribution COL
corning one of its most distinguished citizens.
1t must be agreed that John Randolph OF Roa'
noke, was not only one of the most remarkable
men of his day in Virginia, but in the United
States. A man of great political sagaclty; who
struck to a profound conclusion without much
| formal logic; who was master of an eloquence per
fectly unique, but which was felt and acknowledged
equally BY all classes. His command OF most
deadly sarcasm was wonderful; no one, perhaps,
ever had more intuitive perception OF the weak
nesses of his fellow men, and when he undertook
to hit an adversary-to which he was nightly
viyen-he always hit him in q sore place. Many
hated him, not many loved him; yet all were tas-
cnated by him. He was yolitary in the world,
vet no one knew as much of the gossip 10 his
ueighborhood, or as much of what was going or
over the earth. Few men in Great Britain were al
we'll posted as he concerning the blood of both lie
men and its horses. At once intensely arlstocraiie
snd democratic; protane, yet in his way very
pious. Some of his letters published elsewhere
on the subject of his own personal religious expe
rence are intensely interesting. If during con-
siderable portion of his life he was to certain de-
gree insane-which many think-it was, as some
one said of the celebrated Cambridge Professor
DR.. Parr, crack in his head that let in light.
But we cannot write critique on one whom nc
criticism can describe. To be understood-if un
derstood at a-let those who feel an interest II
the unique subject of this memoir procure Mr.
DOululQ DOOk. we nave tOAu oohn Ae"hNS'PA
Tucker, and now tell him again, that he owes it t
the memory Of his uncle and nsmesske to take the
unpublished materials in his possession, and BY
the aid of what others have done, prepare the Lift
and Times of John Randolph. Much as we com
mend the publication of Mr.. BOuldin, no one cal
regard either this or others before it, as presenting
to the world an. adequate view OF man so ex
tremely peculiar in his person, character and his
tory; so wonderfully gifted, and whose life was 81
long mingled with some Of the most remarkable
men and events in the history of our country.
This volume is neatly printed by Cemmi
& Jones and neatly bound by Randolph Eng
lish all of this city. Send to the last named TO
a copy.
HEAVENLY CAROLS. By Isaiah Baltzell, autho
of Golden Songs" etc., and E. s. Lorenz autho
of "Songs of the Cross assisted by Prof j. d
Kurzenknsbe and Rev. A. A. Graley. l6mo, PIP
l76. Price So cents per copy by mail, or So 60 pc