The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-11

Ills Return From Eurepe-Net Anxious 10
Write a New Boois-sie Thinks Reeonciha'
dian with tho south Far From, Complete.


nm "Wednesday he was OF course met at the
steamer and interviewed by Representatives
Of the press. The Herald, in its account oil
his arrival, says:
Afr. Davis. A. he sat on trunk in the
cabin chatting with his friends, though he
bore the unmistakablc traces OF his very
advanced aCc--he IL man OF seventy
topr--disp,ayed vet much OF that yigor In
voice and gesture which would have only
been looked for In man much his junior IN
wears. His tall, gaunt, WHY frame, ehcssed
in long gray oyercoat was apparent
IN little bent, and his characterisuc
face. with the heayily-furrowed brow,
the deep-set, light, clear eyes, tne
sternly-chisollcd nose and mouth. WIN
their rather parcbed expression OF
shrunkcnaeSs, and the venerable Sray-white
beard, would have indicated him as man
OF remarkable force, even to anybody VINO
did not know that the lonely old wayfarer
was jefferson Davis. He thanked the cap
tain OF the Necknr for bringing him safely
into port in words OF cordial ring-in-
deed, his voice was strong enough TO nave
been heard with good effect from the plat
form. Mr.. Dayis's daughter-a slender,
willowy girl Of graceful manners, Just
home from school in GerInany-addcd
her thanks in that very pretty, musical Ger
man which il never heard from German
lips. and probably never sound more charm
ing to German cars than when coming from
those of American girls.
1--WE have had a very rough tr1p lu-
deed" Mr.. Davis SAID, with that slow,
stately method Of speech much in vogue
among oId-fashioned southern gentlemen,
after Mr.. Derby had presented tho news
naner representative. "lndeed, the sailors
say they have never experienced such
weather.
"Havo you enjoyed yourtrip to Europe,
AR. Davis1"
1TNot very much" was the reply, with a
rather PANIED expression. "lwaS not very
well most OF The time"
"Where were you during the greater
portion Of your sojourn in Europe ~
ain France. went over really to fetch
NV daughter from school in Germany, but
she came TO Paris TO meet me, and | spent
most Of my time in Paris and Chantilly.
Chantilly, you know, is an old, littlS vii
lage. famous for its rlcc-tracils, and ! visit
ed friend there"
did you take much interest IN the
'boom' in Confederate bonds?"
81 did not hear much of it. My i'm
preston il II was mostly confined 10 Lon
don. on the other side, and that very little
was heard OF IL in Paris" Mr.. Davis had
thus far spoken with that measured, dig
niiied delivery peculiar TO him. but now
hiS stern features relapsed into 4 broad
smile aS ne added, iocularly, 81 did not
invest myself" One could sec from his
manner aud from tic grin with which he
shook his hcad-apparontly Of the alb
Surdity of Che riSe-in what a farcical light
lac regarded tina. already collapsed "bo0m."
lis Il true that you are going to write 4
new book, your last one having been so
great 4 succc6Sf'
Mr.. Davis laughed. "Did you ever hear
OF a man who wanted Immediately after
returning from hunt TO go on q now
oneY"
eyes, II il was a successful and pleasant
one" WAS the oif-hand reply.
do you suppose any OF these pasSen-
GERS on the Ncckar would like to return
Just now 10 Europcf II you'd ask them |
believe they nearly all would tell you they
'neyer want 60 20 to Europe again H. long
az they livei'" Mr. Davis said all this in
a humorous strain, us though the efforts in
cident to the production OF his last work
had rendered long repOsc from literary
labors to him most welcome.
RECONCIIATIoK OF SOUTH AND NORTH.
So far so well. But now political cues
ton was preached. and Mr.. Davis was soon
on his mettlc. He was asked il he knew
the recent news, and was told Of the speech
Of Senator Davis. the temporary President
. ti,o ITa.tnI afotap Sonata In :
desire to leave politics as soon ~ his great
object, the reconciliation OF south and
North, was accomplished.
owen, That would be enough for any one
man to accomplish in this world" Mr..
Davis remarked, sententiously.
"But don't you think it las been prac-
tically accomplished?
81 should think not, to Judge OF the
legislation for the South and the North in
recent years and the want OF harmony be-
tween the two sections"
81 suppose you take liyelier interest in
the subject OF the reconciliation OF the
South and North than in almost any other.
MAY ask you, therefore, how you expect
that work 30 progress under President Ar
thurs administration
GLOW can | tell?" Mr.. Davis replied,
with sudden warmth; al lack the oppor-
tunities to inform myself on the public men
OF the day who have voice in the Admin
istration." With great emphasis he added
~ have shaken hands with political qucs-
tions. and, moreover, | never allow any
man TO pump me-" Mr.. Davis dwelt with
special Vigor OF voice on the word "pump,' y
az though il was the object OF his particu-
lar aversion.
~ think time comes" said the former
President Of the Confcderacy, "whcu
every man nay wrap his mantle round
himself, as have done" This last dccla-
ration bad n ring OF thorough dignity i'll it,
and Mr.. Davis. drawing himself up to his
full height, turned away.
Mi. Davis started by train during the
afternoon for his home in Louisville.