Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-08-08
WHEEIrWORKS.
RumbIes I'm Richmond.

Rumb1es In Richmond.
II the beauty Of Virginia, and primarily
OF Richmond were only superfici1-. II
would produce only. a superncial e4-r l.
1t would cause d passing pleasure ana
would be forgotten. 1t certainly Would
not-as now in fact ii does--nsDire o
deep, Joyous, serene, and grateful con-
tentment, and linger In the mind gra-
ciOus and beneficent remembrance. Inc
conquering and lasting potency or II re-
sides not alone IN loyeliAess OF express
sion. but in loneliness OF character.
Having first greatly blessed Richmond
with the natural advantages OF position,
climate, soil, and products, nature mas
wrought their development, and adorn-
ment as a necessary consequence or the
spirit OF their Inhabitants The pic
turesque variety of the Virginia land
scape springs in considerable measure
from the imaginative taste and the ar
fectionate gentleness of her citizens. The
state Of the country like its social con-
sttution, flows from principles within.
which are constantly suggested, and IL,
steadily comforts and nourishes the mind
with a sense Of kindly feeling. moral
rectitude, sOlidity, and permanence. Thus
in the peculiar beauty OF Richmond the
ideal Is made actual-is expressed IN
things more than in words, and in things
by which words are transcribed. All the
verse that has been written about Rich
mond Is only the excess and superlluX
OF her own poetic opulence; ii has rip
pied from the hearts Of her poets just
as the fragrance floats away FROM the
Powered country, by which she Is sur
rounded. At every step OF his progress
the pilgrim through Richmond scenes is
impressed with the sovereign excellence
OF tie accomplished fact, as cOntrasted
with any words that can be said in its
celebration.
There is so much 10 be seen in Rich
mond that the pilgrim scarcely knows
where to choose, ana certainly is per-
picked by whet Or. johnson would have
called 'the multiplicity OF agreeable con-
seriousness" One SPOT 70 which the
traveller viii at once be drawn IS the
stately and solemn Capitol, which STANDS
sentinel over the city In the midst Of
the picturesque gardens. The statues Of
Washington, Henry Clay, and Stone va
Jackson. on It's western and northern
front would be striking anywhere. and
the Houdon statue I'm the rotunda is
world famous. The old Bel-House is
scarcely changed Not far away is st.
Pauls. church, where Jefferson Davis
knelt when the news was brought TO
him that the hopes OF the Colfederacy
had fallen. Across the park In an ONO
size direction. is the new Library build
Ing. which also contains the history az
the Colony and State IN an unique CO..
lectio Of portraits marbles. bronzes, and
curios. The building, which is a very
offices OF the State Government. Within
a short distance OF the Library stands
the magnificent City Hall, structure
that would be striking in any OF the
largest cities OF America.
AT OLD ST. JOHNS.
II IS strange that the life OF the past,
In its unfamiliar remains and fading
traces. should so far surpass the life OF
the present in impressive force and in
nrence. Human characteristics. although
NANTES "a under widely different condl-
tons. were the same IN old times that
they are now. IL Is not In them, surely
that We have 20 seek for the mysterious
charm that EalloWs ancient objects, ard
the historical antiquities Of the world
There is the old weather-stained Monu-
mental church, at sight Of which your
STOPS falter and your thoughts take a
wistfui. melancholy turn though then
YOU may not know that IL was built on
the site OF the old Theatre. which was
burned with such terrible consequences
The spirit which thus instantly possesses
and controls you Is not one OF association,
bat is inherent In the place. Times sha-
dow On the works OF man, Ike moonlight
on a landscape, gives only graces TO the
view, tlnging them, the while. with
sonbre sheen-and leaves all bemishes
r. darkness. This may suggest the rea-
son that relies OF bygone years so sadly
please, and so strangely awe US, In the
passing moment; or IL may be that we
inVOluntarily contrast their apparent per-
manencs with our own evanescent NOR
tally. and 50 are detected with a senti-
mcut OF daZed helplessness and solemn
grief. This sentiment IL is-allied TO be-
reaved love and a natural wish for re-
niembrance AFTER death-that has filled
st. Johns and many another holy mauso-
leum with memorials OF the departed +;
ard this perhaps, is the subtle power
mat makes US linger beside them with
thoughts beyond the reaches OF the soul "
Here IL was, on March 90 IT'S that Pa
trick Henry uttered the words give me
liberty or give me death" thus sounding
the keynote OF the great revolution.
wASIIINGTONS HEADQUARTERS.
Crossing over to Main street between
Nineteenth and Twentieth streets, the
traveller will come TO the Old stone
House. the traditional headquarters OF
Washington The builders OF this house
have done their work Thoroughly Wen, LOT
even after all these years or louYn usage,
and OF slow but incessant decline, the
great tlmbers remain solid, and the plas-
tered walls are nrm.
IN Is one of the glorieS OF Richmond
that II was the home OF that celebrated
jurist. John Marshall, CHIEF justice OK me
limited states. His residence Is a
two-story brick house on the nortn
side OF Marshall street, at the
Ninth-street Intersection must
have been I'm It's Pristine Jays inner ti4dh
most OF the dwellings in is neignborhoOd
| a rare and excellent specimen OF the
Fgyptian style CT architecture Is also on
Marshall street below The Marshali
| house. IL was built in 1898 for the Mecl-
cal College OF Virginia, OF Whlcn Bio"I-
| Spouard. of Paris, the well-known pnysi-
| oloPist was once a professor.
| TO muse over the dust OF those ABOUT
whom we have read so mGch-the great
/ warriors. statesmen, thinkers, ana
I yyriters-for whom the play Is ended, ana
| the lights are put out, - 70 come very
| neor TO them. and to realize more deeply
,hsn ever before their close RELATIONSHIP
Nth our own humanity. one or the most
| ,,s-estiue accidents OF a ramble In Rich
| loud IL the finding Of the Confederate
| nt,seum established In what was one
tie me home Of President Davis--the
White House OF the Con,ederacy. at Clay
| and Twelfth streets. II now contains a
/ ,reasulrc OF relies well calculated 20 make
| - Visitor feel the thrill OF emotion
| General Lees residences, which he Oc-
| .,,rled with his family while he was
| ,ensra,-in-ch'ef OF the Confederate
srmiss ia No. 7C7 Franklin street, be-
sa'aen Seventh and Eighth streets. IL is
| nou used by the Virginia Historical So
| e,etv an organ zation formed for the ru :
| rSse ~ preserving and caring for Vir-
einia's valuable historical records.
CITIES OF THE DEAD.
Among the many deep-thoushted, me.o'
dIous. ard eloquent poems OF Words
worth. there is one-about the burial OF
| Ossian-that glances at the question Of