The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-12-02

acy stands, as stood Rome of old, was
thrown open to the public. 1t was not
for a grand ball or feast of the finest
flower and the proudest chivalry Il
this home of Southern aristocracy and
culture, no fete, in honor of conquering
nero or a nations statesman,-a as of
years gone by.
1t was the closing scene of one Of
the most thrilling dramas of American
life, and the society of Richmond were
there, not in dinner gowns of point lace
and jewels. but in conventional attire,
thrusting themselves into the great
gloomy, silent halls, resounding with
the babel of many voices; peering into
queer hooks as if they expected ghost
of bygones to burst from the grim
shadows: handling the quaint old ma
hogany furniture: gazing with some
what of awe upon the cracked can
vases of family portraits. and with
lifted skirts wading through the mass
of debris. the accumulation of three
quarters of a century. picking up here
and there faded letter, signed per
haps by an illustrious name, and
thrusting it into concealment with, the
avidityy of a miser Selling overlooked
nuggets.
Instead of the whisperings of string
ed instruments. the shuttle of satin.
slippered feet and the ring of spurs
over the polished floors, the sound Of
laughter and the clink of crystal cups
| from the feast in the great banquet
hall, only the whetting drone of the
auctioneer and the calls of eager
| voices in the strife to achieve some
relic in the venerable pile so intimate
| ly associated with the great person
ages of the South at time when the
nation was shaken with the vicissi-
tudes of war and threatened disunion.
Not a person there but felt the subtle
influence of historic suggestion-the
unconscious hypnotism of that which
breathes from every crack and Granny
such thrilling romance. grave dangers,
dark mysteries.
For thirty years Richmond had cast
daily glance up toward its seventh
hill and felt that peculiar thrill which
a child feels in the presence of
haunted house.
For thirty years Richmond has con
ned over the known facts and wonder
ed of the unknown: has told the chill
dren of a new generation all that was
accessible of truth. and started then
dreaming OF what might be bidder
away in the great black garrets ans
solemn shattered chambers, the cav
ernous cellars. the secret archives
reached through narrow passageway'
and cryptic man-traps: and when. a
on rare occasions. there ventures
abroad a gaunt. bent and attenuate'
figure. with thin face of drawn parcel
ment and keen, furtive eye whlcl
seemed to look out of mysteriou
soul down into the depths of othe
souls-the abiding genius of the piae
few indeed there were to recall |
her the beautiful Elizabeth Van Lev
, the fair spy Of General Grant. tn
/, Southern girl by adoption who wa
: abolitionist ut heart. and who contrib
,, uted more than the world will eve
= know TO the salvation Of the Union
! one Of the most remarkable pcrsol
,ages Of the century.
u, This superficial report is entirely u
worthy OF her: it should be voium
: written by q Walter Scott, and bour
in pure gold.
. Founded the Family.
;. Daring the Erst quarter of this az
e .nry there came to Richmond Ne
n Yorker Of Dutch descent His nan
was John Van Lew. and he was 4
% re-sonification of thrift and intesTi'
N He prospered nightly. Making
Z. grimage to the North in search
new avenues to fortune. and incide
tally a wife. Van Lev WAS entertain
ey the celebrities as distinguish
eompatriot. and promptly fell IN 10
n with the daughter OF Hiilory PAX
a, the brave mayor OF Philadelphia. "
Id died at his post during the yellow
is yer epidemic when all others who we
able had fed the city. B-ck 70