Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-30
"REMINISCENCES OF RICHMOND.
Hugh Il. Peasants.

VI OF the DlSpdlcn.J
When the Dispatch began it's career ir
small office on Governor street, not
far from Main, many of its earlier num-
bers were adorned with charming
sketches from the pen OF this distin-
| guished writer, which were very popular.
These sketches, written In his easy. grace
full, and simple style, referred to
| old times, old manners, and old people
Of Virginia. Some of his friends ex-
pressed a fear that his supply of such
"reminiscences would, at the rate at
which he wrote, be soon exhausted; to
which he replied, that he had enough
! to last as long as he lived.
| About this period he was persuaded to
! deliver a lecture, an entirely new role
for him. In the large lecture-room OF
| Trinity church. which had then been
! removed from it's first location near the
! Exchange Hotel to its present one at
! the foot of Church Hill, on Broad street,
! he was greeted by large and highly in
telligent audience He was if l remem-
Der correctly, introduced by Mr.. Robert
Ridgeway, the brilliant editor of the
Wing in those days. His theme was
Richmond, Fifty Years Ago.. e.. the
Richmond of the early part OF the present
century. He blushed and showed the
embarrassment of a very young speaker,
but his diffidence and modesty enlisted
the sympathy of his audience, and they
were soon absorbed in the address, which
needed not the aid Of oratory to make
1t deeply interesting while he wildly
painted the society and the illustrious
men and women of the days Of which he
spoke. In describing the leading men,
bers Of the Virginia Legislature Of those
times, he referred TO General -, OF
Bath, whose sarcasm was akin to that
of John Randolph. A young member
was opposing in debate this distinguished
and dangerous champion. 1.-The gentle
man." said the young member, "has this
advantage over me: He was born 10
wealth and all the opportunities which it
affords for acquiring education, while /
was born to a heritage OF ignorance and
poverty" 1.-THE gentleman" replied the
General, Says that he was born 10 igno-
rance. and truly have never known any
one 10 husband his patrimony with more
care"
A collection OF Mr.. Pleasants's contri-
buttons TO various newspapers for which
he wrote, as editor or contributor, would
make an entertaining volume. His hook
on the history of intoxicating liquors,
under the title Of the war of Four
Thousand Years." was written during his
residence In Philadelphia. about the year
1885, 1t Is filed with historical informa-
ton. much Of it very unique, descriptive
OF the drinking habits Of the human race
from the days OF Noah. Illustrative Of
the state Of morals in London three or
four hundred years ago, he gives the
words written on the sign of a vendor OF
intoxicating drinks: Drunk for a penny
dead drunk for twopence; clean straw
for nothing"
Mr.. Peasants, brother OF John Hamp-
den Peasants, and son OF Governor
James Peasants was distinguished by
the amiable temper and literary taste
characteristic of this large Virginia
family. His mind was stored with the
history and literature OF ancient and
modern times, acquired by long and ex-
tensive reading He was overlooking with
memories of Virginia and its people.
When the terrible calamity occurred in
the Capitol at Richmond he was dying
in his room In the city. AS the brilliant
Patrick Henry Aylett walked into the
courtroom, whence he never returned.
on that most painful day, some one spoke
to. him and told him OF Mr.. Pleasants's
condition. Mr.. Aylett received the COM
munication with evidences OF sad SYM
PATTY. and as he walked away from his
informant 10 his death, remarked. I'VE
are passing away" Z.