Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-25
THE EXCHANGE AND BALLARD.
"Reminiscences Concerning These
Famous HosteIries of Olden Time
CFor the Dispatch.

lfOr the DlSDdlNn')
On the first day Of June L stood on a
corner near the deserted and silent Ex-
change and Ballard House. great storm
of thunder and rain had prevailed, show
ers were still falling. and few persons
were seen In the streets. This clrcum-
| stance made the aspect of the vicinity
more lonely and sad. When places where
we have been accustomed 10 see BUSY
crowds are thus forsaken they are more
depressing than the silence and solitude
of fields and forests in the country, where
we do not expect 70 see the races Oh our
fellow men.
My memory reverted to the time when
the Exchange Hotel arose-a grand edl-
flee i'm those days-in which the citizens.
naturally, felt pride, eclipsing, as 1t
did, the Eagle, the Bell. and the Union,
all of which had had each its peculiar
glory in its sphere.
The removal of the post-office to the
circular basement unde- the Exchange
was another important event, In this con-
nection There were several doors in the
public and private apartments of the
ohice--a very convenient arrangement
which gave rise to a Remark that showed
the ready wit or that old-time gentleman
General Bernard Peyton, when he re ired
to his successor. ColOne. Thomas Bell
Bigger, the worthy father OF the distin-
guished Clerk of the House OF Delegates
lately deceased. Colonel Bigger called 10
make some inquiries relative to his taking
the Office and, as he entered, at vent
ure, one Of the several doors. and came
Unexpectedly upon the Genera. remark
ed General, there are several ways into
this Office" Yes" replied the General,
"and there are several ways out of it,
John Il. Ballard, the first landlord OF the
Exchange, and who built the Ballard
House, connecting the two. by covered
way over the street. was one OF the most
cOurtly Of gentlemen, and man OF In
spring energy. and generous nature. lie
gave dignity to his calling, ana establish
ed for the hotels under his care repu-
tation for courtesy and liberality that
commanded respect and admiration. as
well as patronage of the best sort. Ills
brother. Major Thomas Ballard, who sur
wives him. was popular assistant,
gentleman of polished manners, and at
tractive social nature. He is an invalid
living In Salem, Va, but able 10 see and
enjoy his old friends.
When the Prince of Wales visited Rich
mond an elegant suite OF rooms was pre-
pared for him in the southwest corner Of
indulgence Of Mr.. Ballard, were yisitea
by hundreds OF persons for a day or two
before he came. 1t was something TO see
the pillows on which prince should rest
his Royal head but what that something
was, or may be, ii is hard TO tell. Con-
sidering his position. and his opportuni-
ties, he is, take him for all in all, one or
the most disreputable characters of the
aSe-rivalling, in his ways and doinSs, the
Infamous George the Fourth, In his
prncely days. l saw the rudy youth OF
10 from the opposite side Of the street,
when. after receiving the Common Coun-
ell. he came to the window for moment.
This was on the night OF his arrival on
! the next day DR.. Hoge was at the hotel
and had occasion to remark upon the dis
regard Of time and for his subOrdinates
| shown by the Prince. 1t pleased his Royal
will TO take a ride, and the horses were
ordered for this purpose, but the equerry
must wait in the street with them for an
| hour or two while his master finished has
| letters. A common man would have writ
ten the letters, and then ordered the
| horses. But one of his predecessors said,
| according to Shakespeare. Princes make
the manners; and though they be very
| bad manners, the morbid veneration FOR
| Royal blood. though ii be the worst, hides
| a multitude of sins in England; and Amer
| lea seems to be, in u manner, similarly al
| fected.
| A record OF political gatherings whose
| members have resorted TO the Exchange
| and Ballard House would make yalua-
| BILE political history Of our State for TIE
| last fifty years. In the rooms. and on the
| street in front Of these buildings have
| been meetings that resounded with south
ern eioquence. l can only recur to one,
which occurred in the early throes Of the
| Confederate war. This was IN the street,
and the night was dark, illustrating the
| deep gloom Of the day when southern
congressman had left Washington, nego-
| tiatons had ceased. and grim-yisaged
war was rearing his awful front. James
A. Seldom said that the atmosphere OF
| Washington. never attractive, was now
absolutely sitting" and Hon. John
| Goode. alluding 10 q great gun that he
had seen at Aqua creek. said: That ia
| now the orator" z. b. Il.
Roanoke, Va.