The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-11-23

period during which certain political re-
suits became so potent that the principles
of government established by that re-
msrkable body OF men have TOT
more than century past shaped tne
course OF enlightened craftsmanship
in every part OF the civilized world. Inc
annals OF the English-speaking race con-
tain no more distinguished roll OF names
than those which composed the virginia
House OF Burgesscs at that time. They
were men who but short time before, win
few exceptions, had scarcely been known
beyond the condres Of the counties IN whlch
they had been born and reared. Chiei
among these were the Blands, the Lees, and
WashIngtons. Wythe and Pendleton, ana
the Randolphs. Henry stands alone the
Prophet, as Jefferson became the Apostle OF
Liberty There, too, were the Burwelis,
Carr, a Nicholas, the Harris0ns, the RACES,
and the Carys, and lastly, the Palinurus OF
the state, the wise and courteous hoDinsOh'
Speaker Of the House.
These men were as distinguished lot
learning and culture as they proved them
selves skilled i'm the science OF statesman
shin. Some were profound iurists, others
had the gifts OF speech TO such remarkable
degree that while one, the polished and cap
tiyating Richard Henry Lee has been liken-
ed 10 Cicero, another had so entranced the
world with bis orat0ry as TO be called "the
forest-bOrn DemOsthenes." Some Ofthem had
visited the Old World; had mingled with the
rich. the great and the titled amid the cere-
monious displays Of courts and the simple
forms OF urivate life. Most OF them had
been reared amid polished and refined so
cietv nj home. and were in all respects, In
manners. bearing and character, the peers
OF the first gentlemen of the realm.
For more than a half century this third
Colonial Capitol had now been occupied ny
the official representatives OF the mother uON,
crnment Year after year 1t had received
the IDENTITIES Of the Crown, preceded by the
symbol Of power in the hands OF the ap-
pointcd official, when the Speaker, IN due
form. called the House 20 order within us
walls had been read royal proclamatl0ns
from a long line OF Governors ana Lieu
tenant-GoyernOrs Assemblies had been
suddenly called together, and as suddenly
prorogued; and from its Judgment seat had
been pronounced the decisions OF an almost
autocratic court. But time and circum-
stances were now about TO change all this'
At the time Of which we now speak the coun-
try was at war with the very power unuef
whose prcrOgatiye these things nad LOT
80 many years taken place. The
seat of the Colonial Government had
now passed from royal control into the
hands of free and independent people.
who had meantime made it the capital Of
their own country. 1t was during the strug'
Gle towards this attainment. that OuI
| Capitol at Williamsburg had become par
ticularly famous as a historic building
And IL was during the trying events OF thai
period that the. material of the blouse o.
Burgesses referred 10 above ultimately be
came the General Assembly of Virginia
But the latter did not long hold their ses
sions in the sold Capitol" 1t was amids
the throes Of revolution itself that they were
Obliged 10 abandon forever the time-honOr
ed old building for safer ant
more convenient place at which
TO exercise the functions Of the new
government. I'm May, 1880, only yea
after the seat Of government had been re
moved TO Richmond, the General Assembl.
passed an act ordering the sale OF certain
public buildings and lands " for supplying
the present urgent necessities OF the Com
mOnwealth resulting from the rayages 0
the war then in progress. Under TINS o1de
the "old Capitol building was doubles
sold into private hands. and the price of 1t
dishonor appropriated 10 the cause OF con
stitutiOnal liberty. To what purposes
was afterwards devoted does not appear
except that i'm later years IL was occupied
| for a time as "A school for the education 0
Young ladies'. Ii stood for many years
melancholy reminder Of the times when it
importance was dignified by the presence
kingly power, amid the picturesque SUI
roundngs of cast and privilege. But, a
if reserved for the fate Of both its predeces
sors, it too fell victim 10 deyouring flame
i'm the year 1888. Nothing now remains Q
this third Capitol Of the "Ancient Domin
ion." destroyed by fire, but vacant spac
at tie end of Duke OF Gloucester street
,,barn tho tourist in looking for some rem
nant Of its former glory, will find but tn
still unhealed scar of
'Stern ruins pl0ughshare.'