Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-17
LIFE OF JAMES BARRON HOPE.
Review of His Career Written by n
Student of History.


student Of History.
The following interesting paper on the
life Of James Barron Hope was recently
read before one Of the history classes
Of Richmond College. by Mr.. John :. Ilar-
rlson. Of Norfolk:
James Barron Hope. who has often
been styled "Nirgnia's Laureate" was
born on the 2id OF March. lS29 The place
Of his birth was the residence Of his
grandfather. Commodore James Barron.
then commander Of the Gosport navy
yard. lie was fortunate I'm his parentage.
His father. Wilton Hope. was a man OF
wealth and talent; his mother was an
attractive. Christian woman. From her
he inherited many noble qualities
His early education was obtained at
Germantown. Pa, and at Hampton Va.
After securing preparatory training at
these schools he entered William and
Mary College at which he graduated with
honors i'm 1877. II was while here that
o. trouble arose between y. Pembroke
Jones and himself which ultimately Led
to duel This duel was fought at
Fortress Monroe. I'm April. 1853. Hope
was dangerously wounded. When the
steamer. which bore him back 10 Hamp-
ton. arrived. the flower OF Hampton's
youth turned out TO meet n. and these
bore the wounded man TO his home IL
is a noticeable fact. however that. after
his recovery he and Jones were ever
firm friends.
His lfe-work was varied. but we find
him always following such pursuits as
would most benefit humanity. After his
graduation he was secretary to his uncle.
Samuel Barron. captain Of the battle
ship Pennsylvania From this he was
transferred 10 the Cyraue. and IN 1852
made cruise 20 the West Indies In
1876 he was elected Commemorative At
torney Of that old historic town. Hamp-
ton. often called the "Game-Cock Town
OF Virginia" II seemed. however. that
he was destined TO attain something
higher. During this same year. under
the nom de plume Of Henry Ellen. Dee
contributed several poems TO the South
ern Literary Messenger These on ac-
count OF their great merit attracted wide
spread attention
We have now approached a most inter
esting event IN Hopes life: We refer to
his marriage. in Isl. TO Miss Beverly
Whiting. an attractive young woman Of
Hampton. and one whose character was
no less lovely than her person. This
period also marks great progress In his
literary work. We find, q result OF his
and Other Poems which were warmly
praised by the southern critics OF the
time. The leading poem OF this volume
THE Charge OF Balaklava," was received
by both English and American critics
with great favor G.. p r. James. the
well-known novelist declared that il was
unsurpassed by Tenuysons charge OF
the Light Brigade" a few Of the verses
show at once the beautiful rythm and
skill with which he handled the subject:
Down went many gallant soldier;
Down went many stout Dragon;
Lying grim, and stark. and CORY
ON the crimson field Of glory.
Leaving us a noble story.
And their white-ciffed homes a boon.
And tonight the moon shall shudder.
As she looks down on the moor.
Where the dead OF hostile races
slumber. slaughtered In their places;
All their rigid. CHASTITY faces,
Spattered hideousiy with gore
And the sleepers; an, the sieepers.
Make Westminster that day:
Mid the seething battles laval
And each man VINO fell shall have a
Proud scriptlon-Balaklaya
Which shall never fade away"
In May. 1851. he. by appointment. de-
iiyered a poem al the 10th anniversary
~ the English settlement at jamestown
When the civil war broke like terrible
cloud over the South Hope entered the
Confederate army, and fought through
the entire struggle Tor the cause that he
believed TO be just. lie rose 10 the rank
OF captain.
At the close Of the war he returned 10
Virginia. making Norfolk his home Here
he edited the Norfolk Day Book. the
Norfolk Virginian. and. in 1873. founded
the Norfolk Landmark OF the last
named journal he was editor-in-chief at
the time Of his death. He declined a
nomination for Congress in 1880
by invitation OF Congress. I'm 1881. he
delivered at the Yorktown Centennial his
mastery poem. which was fitting COM
panion TO the splendid Grafton delivered
on that occasion by the renowned ora
tor. Robert c. WINTHROP This poem.
which mas been STYLED the flower OF his
genius" with several others, was pub
lished the following year. It's noble
thoughts were revealed in their fun
beauty only 10 those who heard the
lines as they fell from the lips OF their
author In 1883 the Confederate veterans
or Norfolk elected him president OF the
first association Of ex-Confedarates.
Captain Hope was chosen by the dele
gates OF the Second District OF mis- State
as a delegate 10 the Chicago convention
I'm 1884 The next year he was appointed
Superintendent OF NOrfolk's public
schools. and under his administration
they attained the largest enrolment OF
pupils and the highest standard OF ex-
cellence since their opening In 1851 The
same year he delivered the Portsmouth
memorial poem. lie was again called
upon by his state 10 weave among her
annals the laurels OF his verse At the
LAYING OF the cornerstone OF the Lee
monument. in Richmond. In October. 1887.
The cornerstone was laid. but the voice
OF the poet had been hushed forever.
Death came 10 him, as he had often
wished while he was in the midst OF his
work. In the high noon OF mental activity
having completed this ode only one day
before his death. The same Hand that
gifted Hope 10 tal.e his place In the II.
erary world granted him 10 rest from
pursuing the weary journey up Ages
Chilly Mount OF Snow on the 18th OF
September. 1851
Among the poets Of the South none
have left rarer. sweeter heritage than
James Barron Hope. He sleeps in Elm