The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-01

WE'LL" and he waved his hand, his
voice trailed of into vagueness and
his eyes grew misily reminiscent. as
his mind wandered back over the track
OF years to the dear long ago past
days OF his youth and he felt that
silence was eloquent.
The voice of the sweet Singer has
since been stilied. but fragrant mem
cries OF both singer and voice have
survived in Il city whose heart they
thrilled in passing
Adcrinn Patti and Ole Hull.
The Richmond press accorded gen
erous space and a splendid tribute to
the beauty OF the Ole Bun concerts
In. which Adelina Patta. then Just
eight years old. made her first appear
ance in Richmond, on January 10.
1858. Patti came more than once aft
erward when she was grown to wo-
manhood, but 1t is quite safe to say.
that never again was She accorded
truer homage than when sh. played
her childish part In the brilliant
series OF Ole Bull concerts.
Thnckeray in Richmond.
In the meantime in March Of $751;
Thackcray arrived TO lecture in the
Athenaeum on Twelfth Street. and
give Richmond people their first ideas
/ aoout tue pcES"ilaIit5 .! inc man wiz
had written Henry Esmond' The
virsinians" and. above ali else. Van
ity Fair"
q heard Thackeray." said worthy
/ Richmond citizen. who remembered
much else than that it was pleasant to
hear
What was he like and what did
you think about hm?"
81 thought him a typical. diEnihed,
/ English gentleman. lie was conven-
tional in appearance and manner and
| spoke and read clearly. giving evidence
! OF the intellectual power which rem
dered him such a force in literature"
Thnckerny's Richmond Host.
| Thackeray was rendered u supper
! by John Reuben Thompson during his
stay in Richmond. Mr. Thom7so on wa.
! then living on Leigh street. and was
man who formed his literary friend
| ships easily and quickly His supper
! for Thsckeray was a happy inspira-
, ton like his Jenny Lind ode an cpl.
! sode doubtless long remembered BY
Confederate Poet Laureate.
Years afterward. in 1854. Mr. Thomp.
| son became the editor of The Index
a journal supported nv the Confed
crate Government. In London England
/ He was. in his turn. a visitor In the
| homes Of great people Identified W IN
nineteenth century intellectual and
social activities in England and was
admitted to n charmed circle. com
/ posed OF Mr.. and Mrs Gladstone
Dickens. Dean and Lady stanley. Miss
! Thackeray. Sir Edward Landscer. Mr.
and Mrs Carlyle. Dsracli Charles
! Kingsley. Dean and Lady STANLEY and
a hundred more. representing journa
listic and diplomatic. as we'll as in
tellectual vigor and thought. Tho
reception accorded John r Thompson
as Richmonder and Virginan is
something for the people Of hts native
city and state to remember with pride
to-day lie had had to resign his posi-
ton as state Librarian. under the Con
federacy. on account of his health lie
ran the blockade from Wilmington
North Carolina hut even afterward
1T was hardly thought he would reach
England alive. Instead. he rallied
marvelously and was able to do good
eervlce to his oountry's cause 80
we'll as to command the Friendship
Of the foremost English people of tho
sixties
Mr. Thompson had been the poet
laureate of the Confcderacy in viz
ginia before and after abandoned
lhis editorial chair at the Office of the