The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-27

a school OF high degree at the same place
until he was elected TO the Professorship
OF Chemistry at the University Of Nir-
ginia.
For some cause, the effort to keep up the
Richmond Academy failed. and the build
ing passed into other uses. II afterwards
became known as the Richmond Athe-
naeum, and although it could not strictly
be considered q Temple Of Minerva, it
was, nevertheless. specially devoted to
literary purposes On the first floor had
been arranged an audience room, which
became the resort of the educated and re-
fined, people of the town and who for
many years were privileged to listen 10
the productions of poets. philosophers and
historians delivered from time TO time
within its walls. On the same floor the
Historical Society Of Virginia was gra-
ciously allowed a room. This was the first
approach to local EabitatiOn" for the UNI
happy vagrant, who these many years had
only been known by its name. The en-
tire second floor was occupied by the
books of the Richmond Library Com
pany, or Richmond Mercantile Associa-
ton. we do not remember which. For
many years the place was blessing TO
the community. 1t was free to all
corners. and during stated hours the
rooms were filled with industrious read
ers. The library-room was presided over
by an amiable, but dignified old gentle
man of strong personality and decision
Of character. lie maintained the most
perfect decOrum within the limits Oh
his charge. He had once been success
full merchant but in his last days, as is
often the case with men Of his calling, he
had been overtaken by misfortune.
At that time the game OF chess was
very fashionable. Among the higher
IL 90 II had taken the place
Of cards. the abuse Of which in the pre-
ceding generation having so debauched
the community that special legislation
had in vain attempted a reform. 1t was
not until public sentiment had succeeded
in doing what the law could not enect,
that the indulgence Of the most open ana
reckless gambling among Doth ladles anu
gentlemen had at last been brought 10
an end. The new game had now become
a faVorite pastime among these same peo-
pie. Chess clubs were formed ana IL
was not long before almost every draw
ine-room in the community contained us
ornamental chess table, adorned by sets
of every possible pattern or chesSmeh'
from those of the plainest wood TO the
most elaborate styles of oriental manu-
facture in carved and polished ivory Inc
Richmond library building became one
of the fayorite resorts for enthusiastic
tournaments held within its walls
At certain hours of the day and night
groups Of combatantS were TO De seen
in profound study over hotly-contested
games. The habitual silence of the room
was intensified while these were going on
Not a sound was heard, except wheh
some willy champion had, by an uneXpect-
ed coup" brought his adversary's king
10 a sudden and successful check. Then
II was that q startling exclamation OF
triumph or despair would break the
solemn monotony of the scene. Our ven
cradle librarian was always deeply III
terested on these occasions FOR ne was
himself a devotee to the game. He be-
longed to a higher class OF players WHO
rarely condescended to contend except
with foemen worthy of their skill. Inc
list of these was limited to small num-
her of well-knOwn champions, each one
OF whom knew that whenever he was III
the hunor old Mr.. R was always
ready to break a lance with him.
record of these intellectual Jousts was
kept so that the reputation or the sew
erel oombatants became matter or Spe-
cial interest to the community. IhuS IL
was that our librarian became more imam
ever the genius loci OF the building,
and OF q neighborhoOd, with when the
hand Of time has perhaps dealt more
unreserveGly than with any other part OF
Richmond.
some of his adversaries We're his inn
mediate ncighbors Chief among these
was the venerable c. f, ST., whose
leonine head and striking features would
have attracted the admiration or Mlcnael
Angelo himself, and who, although an
octogenarian was still one Of the stnrdl-
est among the champion chess players.
Second only to him in skill and reDuta-
ton was the courtly William f. W,
ESD. who had also been nelghbor, but
nj that time was residing at his country
seat in Hanover. lie rarely failed TO
visit his old friend ct the library-rooih
when he came into the city.
Reference to the Athenaeum building
has bean made. not only 10 recall memo
ries OF that locality, but chiefly because
tba Historical Society Of Virginia had its
home for a time in that building. But
II was by no means an enVlaole nome. us
Dicturss decorated the walls or the same
room which contained its small but Valua-
bic library. It's manuscripts ard other
property were safely hid away, nailed up
in boxes secure from human inspection.
This apartment and all il contained were
appropriately consigned to the keeping Of
q sexton of a neighboring church, who
thus became the sole "locum tenens,
and whose duty Il was semi occasionally
10 air the premises, lest the dampness ana
accommodating cOb-webs might interfere
with the health of the history within.
On such occasions. IL perchance the
windows and doors were observed 10 be
omen. passers by would venture 70 enter
I'm and linger awhile to look upon the
antique faces that ga2ed in digniiied 81
lence from the walls. and which seemed
TO welcome the light much more than
the visitors Now and then the few per-
sons who still felt interest in the affairs
OF the society were permitted TO inspect
the room and its contents, in company
With some one Of its officers. On such
occasions Il was encouraging TO find that
after all there was somebody ready at the
least to express the hope that in the near
future better things were in store for
the Historical Society of Virginia.
Nearly a half century has passed since
thar time. Why this hope was not rea-
lied will be seen hereafter. Meantime
let the purpose of this unfinished commu-
nfcation be understood. IL is not intend
ga merely 10 fill up a certain space In a
newspaper, but 10 arrest. IL possible. the
serious attention of those who are VIII
ling 20 come to the relief Of the society.
100 ~ Z.
CTo be concluded)