I
ARCHIVES
18 , ?v \J,
VOL.V.
RICHMOND, VA.,OCTOBER, 1879.
NO.J,
EDITORS:-Mu Sigma R lw- M. A. T URNER, J; J. T AYLOR; Ph ilologirrnL. C. CATLETT, R. E. G LOVER. BOARD OF P UBLIC A TIO N :-Mu Sigma Rho- I-I. C . CAJmn, J. J. GuNTER.,, S. A. FI SHBURNE ; Ph.ilologian - C. A . G . T HOMAS, E. W . W I NFREY , A. J. REAMY.
HYMN ON CHRIST'S
NATIVITY .
John Milton was a recluse. _ Th ere was a want of affinity between him and other men of his day that made him strangely independent in his political, poetical and religious views. Though living in the 17th century,_ it has been very properly said that he was not of it. He was in advance of his time. From boyhood there was something about him that forbade intimacy. Though there was nothing repelling in his manners; and though, through his whole life, he was noted for sweet1'lessof temper, , yet there was an evident desire to be alone-a fondness for solitude, which his fellow-beings always respected, and so we see him, during his whole life, solitary, alone, distinct from his contemporaries, and depending on himself. He seems to us as rather more than man. There is a spiritual grandeur about him that cannot be described, and we feel that the loftiest encomiums that have been bestowed upon him fall far short of doing him justic e. The mystery enshrouding him, the haughtiness of which he is accused by some, may be ascrib't;d to the fact that he was a recluse. As Wordsworth says of him: Thy soul was like a star, And d,,-elt apart.
But, though dwelling apart from his fellow-men in that solitude which he loved so well, his fertile brain gave birth to the most remarkable productions in our literature, and the poetic al world must ever look up to this sublime epic as the chi ef of poets. In the "Hymn on the Nativity," we behold the prima stamina of divine epics. ¡ It is the most truly lyrical, and most beautifully constructed of his poems . There is a magical solemnity and grandeur in these lines peculiarly his own. The images throughout are magnifi-
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cent, and have this excellency. None of them are merely descriptive, but combine both intellectuality and spirituality. It was composed as a college exercise, at the age of twenty-one; but, notwithstanding the youth of its author, it is a fit precursor to his grandest effort, "Paradise Lost,'' and in our humble judgment, surpasses all the rest, though we are aware many prefer "L' Allegro" and "Il Penseroso." tn his introduction, the poet announces the anniversary of the birth of our Saviour. "This is the month and this the happy morn," he begins, and with delightful ease and grace he introduces us to the finer hymn. The hymn opens with dignity and vigor, and increases in the wonderful swell of its rythm till it acquires ¡ the richness and fulness of the deep-toned organ. The poem is accused of having "conceits." Perhaps the first two stanzas may be said to have this blemish in a slight degree, but throughout the remainder we have the pure essence of poetry, and that of the highest and most picturesque order. Very beautiful indeed is his conception, in the third stanza, of Peace floating down through the clouds. His figures are so well suited to his ideas. Listen to the fifth stanza: The winds with wonder whist, Smoothly the waters kist, Whispering new joys to the mild ocean, Who now hath quite forgot to rave, While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed wave.
What a glorious line, this last! The whole stanza exhibits the quintescence of descriptive poetry. Again, in the ninth: When such music sweet Their hearts and ears did greet, As never was by mortal fingers strook; Divinely-warbled voice, Answering the stringed noise, As all their souls in rapture took : The air, such pleasure loth to lose, With thou sand echoes still prolongs each heavenly close.
None but Milton could have produced a stanza equal to this. Equally fine are the e~eventh, twelfth, and thirteenth. In our imagination we here the seraphic music. " Such musick, as 'tis said, Before was never made."
Critics harp on the thirteenth stanza-it is one of their favorite points for attack. The iqea of a poet speaking of an organ in heaven ! Thomas Wharton says: "Milton was not yet a Puritan; afterwards he
Hymn on Chrz~t's Nativity.
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and his friends, the I fanatics, would not have allo~ed of so papistical an establishment as an organ and choir, even in heaven." We admit in our similes we should seek to compare our thoughts to something higher and more perfect. But, when speaking of heavenly things, we are at a loss to know where to go to find materials to express our practical ideas. And then, even in the scriptures, we see the same liberty ¡ talren, and golden harps and lyres are frequently mentioned as the instruments of the angelic musicians. Besides, the organ comes as near our ideas of celestial music as anything we can think of; so we do not see that the expression employed could be much improved on. We might go on mentioning the attractions of this exquisite poem, but among such a collection of beauties, we find it impossible to specify any as more beautiful than the rest. Each stanza is a gem in itself. The poem accumulates excellencies as it advances, and adds beauty after beauty till, in its concluding lin es, it reaches the summit of all that is grand and sublime, and the hymn of the poet ends in a wide and magnificent burst of melody, the echoes from the choirs of heaven it.self. ' How vivid the picture which the poet presents to us in the conclud ¡ ing lines! Satan, bound with only half his former range, the dumbstricken oracles, the nymphs of the woods, the spirits of the dead, mourning their departed strength ; Peor and Baalim forsaking their temples ; grim Moloch fleeing in terror; Isis, Orsis, brutish gods of the Nile, hastening after: all fleeing before the true God , who, even now, in his swaddling clothes, '' Can contrpl the damned crew! "
How spirited this verse, in particular: " So when the snn in bed, Cnrtainecl with cloudy-red, Pillows his chin upon an orient wave, The flocking shadows pale Troop to the infernal jail; Each fettered ghost slips to his several grave; And the yellow-skirted fayes Fly after the night steeds leaving their moon-loved maze.''
The figures fade; the scene closes with the infant Jesus at rest in the hallowed stall, while around Him without the "bright-harnessed" legions of the Father keep watch "in order serviceable." Very few defects can be found in this majestic creation of Milton. The poem, from beginning to end, surpasses all others of its length. We read it with wonder and admiration; we re-read it, and read it again, each
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Ric!zmond _college Messenger. .
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time with increasing delight, as fresh beauties burst into view from the accumulated stores of poetic imagery. The grandeur and sublimity of the sentiment; the vigor and power of the language; the richness of ideas ; the gathering strength and roll of the metre; the wonderful range of learning; the solemnity and awfulness of the tone: all combine to put us under a spell more potent than that wielded by the magicians of eastern fable. We think, then, taking into consideration the youth of the composer and the times in which he lived, that the "Hymn on the Nativ.ity" may justly be considered the finest poem in the English language. How pure the motive, how beautiful the thought that prompted the youth to the execution of this fine subject! How rich must all his faculties have been! How deep he must have traveled into those dim and mysterious regions of fearning so seldom entered by the youthful mind! What an example to the youth of succeeding generations! We think that our whole nature becomes purified by reading the works of this great man. His thoughts are so beautiful, and so divinely expressed, that they leave an everlasting impression on the appreciative heart . How foolish, then, it sounds, to hear would-be critics pronouncing him cold, stilted, and harsh! How cold and barren must be their own natures instead! Milton is pre-eminently the poet of the educated : He speaks to the cultivated mind. His thoughts are all lofty and above the common level; and it is this fact which accounts for the harsh criticisms bestowed on him. The rude, uneducated, and unrefined have no appreciation for such magnificent imagery, such wonderful erudition; and, well satisfied with their own ignorance, they complacently shove aside, with a shrug of disdain, the unappreciated work, or else more spitefully hurl forth their vile imprecations at the grand poet, and brand him with all the opprobrious epithets that ignorant, vicious na tures can supply. Glorious Milton! Thou art far above the reproaches of enemie s now. Despised as thou wast on earth, a contrite world now offers homage to thy memory.
WEYER'S
CAVE.
Of the beautiful, natural curiosities to be found within the bounds of our "Old Virginia," the county of Augusta furnishes largely more than her proportionate share. She stands second to none other in the presentation to our fancies of all that is sublime and interesting. The magnificence of her land scape scenery, her echoing grottos, her cyclo-
Weyer's Cave.
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pean towers, her towering mountains, her soil so varied, so productive, are worthy a far more fluent pen than the writer can wield to do them justice. We purpose in this saying something of the greatest of the curiosities which she boasts. Weyer's Cave may justly be termed a rival of the far-famed Mammoth Cave of Kentucky. Nor does this treasure of our State stand at all unfavorably in a comparison with that. The former, while not so large in its proportions as to startle the visitor by its size, by its wondrous scenery and its magnificent chambers, excites within him at once awe and admiration. Language fails to convey an adequate idea of the vastness and sublimity of some, or the exquisite beauty and grandeur of others, of the many parts of the Cave. This Cave is situated in the northwestern part of Augusta county, and seventeen miles from the "girlish city" of Staunton. It was discovered in 1804 by Bernard Weyer, of the above-mentioned county, while on a hunting expedition. Arrangements were made soon thereafter for its exploration. Six months after its discovery, the echo of the human voice had come reverberating from its crystal walls from a diagonal depth of one thousand feet from its entrance. In the year 18 r 2 the Cave, and the farm on which it is located, came into possession of the father of the present owner and proprietor. Through the energy and capital of its new owner, the explorations were vigorously continued, and also by his son and successor, till to-day a polite and accommodating guide conducts the visitor to a depth of over two thousand feet. Admission is gained by descending an inclined plane about one hundred feet in length. On reaching the bottom, we find OUIselves in what is called "Washing ton Hall." This is by far the most beautiful of all the apartments. It is, perhaps, two hundred and fifty feet in length, and sixty in width. In the centre an immense screen of rock, called by toUiists "The Drum," towers towards the ceiling. A slight tap of the cane causes it lo give forth a clear, musical sound, which, echoing far back into the recesses of the cavern, thrills the soul with awe. This towering screen leads one almost to conclude that there are two separate rooms, till, by the light thrown upon the screen by the hand-lamp, it is discovered that it reaches upward only about thirty feet, and the fine arch overhead is complete. There is a natural collection of stalactites in this room, which, when little light is thrown upon it, has the appearance of a veiled statue. This is called the '' Nation's Hero." This room is filled with these projections, which suggests to the imagination various unfinished objects. The vaulted ceiling expanded far overhead, produces an indescribable effect upon the senses. Scarcely, we think, can any scene in nature, other than this, awaken so many of the deeper, finer feelings of the visitor. The im-
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pressions made here are of such a nature as the mind and heart receive but once, and retain forever. Curiosity, surprise, wonder, admiration, and reverence struggle in the bosom for the mastery. _ We had proposed speaking of other and less interesting features of this underground mansion, but must forbear,. "Jacob's Ladder," a natural series of steps, which are used in passing from one apartment to another, and" Fat Man's Misery," an exceedingly narrow passage, which derives its name from the fact that visitors of large proportions find no little trouble in making the passage, are worthy of mention. Strother, under the pseudonym of Porte Crayon, a man whose principles and character we very'respectfully detest, but one whose writings, fraught with original genius and characteristic humor, we read with much zest and heartiness, gives in "Virginia Illustrated" an exceedingly amusing account of the difficulties which his servant driver met with in his attempt to effect his passage through this narrow channel. To fully appreciate the mysteries of this immense cavern, one should visit it during an illumination . The effect produced on the scene from the united rays of three or four thousand candies, and the flickering blaze of a single hand-light is widely different . A sight of Weyer's Cave is worth a trip across the Continent.
CANDY'S CASTLE. From amidst the tall mountains of West Virginia, a solitary peak rears its lofty crest far above the surrounding hill-tops, like the lone church spire with its high top above the peaceful village as an unneeded sentinel, standing with soldierly discipline, though no danger is near. The base of one of these mountains is washed by the strong and rapid ¡river Capon ; and from the very bank of this stream rises this fortress, formed during nature's throes. From a distance it looks like a high tower, made by the more systematic hand of man. Yet on approaching, its sides appear rough and rugged, until you reach the base, and there you perceive nothing more artistic than a steep and precipitous mountain with a circumference at its foot of half a mile. From here, nothing appears inviting, except an unnamed longing which impels man to seek a higher level; and to partially satisfy th"isdesire, you find a ~uitable route for the ascent. For a while you have to climb over large and rough stones, then you come to a path which will be
Candy's Castle.
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found 路to lead to the summit. When first starting on this walk you are directly at the rear, but after traveling some distance up the path, which looks like a foot-walk cut out of the solid rock, and in places not more than one foot 路wide, you will, on casting a look downwards, observe that you have gradually and rapidly ascended, until presently you .find yourself en the front. If you are not liable to -dizziness, you can venture to look down from your narrow, though secure, standing, and see the river dashing against the foundation of this enormous pile of rocks-seven hundred and fifty feet below you. Just here the walk ends, and in order to reach the top, you have to climb by catching hold in the crevices, or holding by the jutting crags, for a distance of six feet. This accomplished, you at last stand on the dizzy height. The first impulse is to look down to see whence you came, and recount the dangers you have escaped. You will then look around to see if you have sufficient room to insure safety. 路After being fully satisfied by observing a space of about thirty square yards, you become absorb<;d by the grandeur of the scene which greets your view from every side. You will see the Alleghanies, hazy from a distance of fifty miles; the Blue Ridge at the same distance, in an opposite direction; the Ice Mountains, on which can be found perpetual ice, far off in another direction, with a space between each of these filled up by one ridge after another, like the billows of the ocean. The only memorable fact in connection with this peak is a circumstance from which it ~received its name. Among the first men who were brave enough to venture their lives with the Indians of West Virginia, Ca'hdy was the most destructive. He, having observed this cliff from a distance, determined to attempt an ascent, which he succeeded in doing; and, to hjs infinite delight, he discovered a large cavity or recess in that part of the rock which was just over the river. Here he concluded to live, and used this situation, rendered formidable by nature, as his castle. 路whenever the savages would attack him, as they had only one way of approach and could come only one at a time, he could shoot them as they advanced up the path, or wait as each one came up and easily push them over the precipice-and this fall of nearly eight hundred feet would drive out the spark of life, and the river below would hush his last cry, which was his unpremfditated farewell. In this way Candy preserved his own life and destroyed many Indians. In commemoration of his heroic deeds, this lofty cliff will ever bear his name and be known to coming generations as Candy's Castle.
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Richmond College Messenger.
SECOND DAY'S FIGHT AT SEDAN, AND THE SURRENDER OF NAPOLEON. On a beautiful and delightful night in September, we were lying before Sedan, a w~ll fortified place in the vine-clad vales of sunny France. .Everything was calm and still, the quiet only interrupted by the challenge of guards. The thunder of the cannon of the previous day had ceased, and the surgeons were attending to the wounded. In whatever direction we looked, our eyes rested upon the torn and mangled bodies of the slain . I was detailed, in command of twenty-five men, to lay beneath the sod those around whom my affections twined; and while walking along, I saw here and there those whom I respected, but, in particular, one lying dead, clothed in the uniform of a Prussian colonel. At first I could not ascertain fully that it was he; but recognizing his particular dress to be that of my regiment, concluded that it was my colonel, who had led us valiantly to victory. He was a Christian and a hero, a man who died for his adopted country, far from his native soil, Virgm1a. While gazing so tenderly on his lifeless form, I could but neglect mt duty, which said, "Bury the dead," and kneel by his mangled bod.9 and offer prayer, probably the last, as in the morning death would stare us in the face. But hark! - The thundering of the French cannon commences again, the renewal of the bloody battle. A look, and a last one, upon our dead comrade l We leave the field to join our command. It was four o'clock in the morning of the second day of. September, before the brilliant rays of the "king of day" gleamed forth to illuminate the world. All with anxious hearts looked upon the event in the world's history which was to decide the contest-either in favor of Emperor William or Napoleon-the united power of the German Confederation or the Napoleonic dynasty. The division of the Crown Prince received orders to advance, except the corps in which I was an officer. Gen. Von Trlimpling was ordered to hold the rear. The fight was bloody, and we expected every moment to participate. Our captain and first lieutenant had sacrificed their lives in a previous engagement, and I, a young, inexperienced man of sixteen years, was in command of the company. The French appear outside the walls, and make their last attempt to break through our lines. , We receive orders to advance nearer. We obey, with flying colors, probably no more to return. The French fight bravely, but the German soldier knows not how to retreat; his motto is, "to victory or to death." Only a few
Second Day's Fi"gltt at Sedan and the Surrender of Napoleon. 9 moments elapse before our carbines and pistols are of no more service, and, like Turks, with swords drawn from their scabbards, we are satisfied only with the heads of our foes. Thus they fall right and left. The cuirassiers are compelled to retreat, but still their colors are flying. Suddenly they go down, :yea, to rise no more. Thus, the eagle, the French standard, falls into our hands . The Heights of Spichern, on the north side of the field, had been taken by the Prussian artillery, under the command of Prince Charles, with great loss on both sides . In this engagement General Von Francois, of the Prussian army, was killed, and Mar~hal McMahon, commander of th.e French forces at Sedan, was wounded, and was succeeded in command by General Wimpffen . On the western border of the field, the first and second corps of Bavarians and Saxonians had driven back the French forces under General Frossard to the ford. The French corps, stationed on the eastern side, were surrounded by General Von Boshmer and compelled to surrender. Thus, Sedan was surrounded on all sides. The Crown Prince, having shared in the engagement, and several of his aids having fallen, these vacancies had to be filled immediately. Thus was I appointed aid-de-camp to this brave general. This temporary appointment reli~ved me of army service, and gave me the privilege and pleasure of being a witn ess to the most beautiful scene ever looked upon by a German eye. The meeting between the two •monarchs took place at Bellevieu, the headqua~ters of Emperor William, a short distance from the battle-field. The Crown Prince arrived near the close of the day, with his suite, to await the arrival of him who had proven the most inveterate enemy of our nation. About eight o'clock in the_evening, at a distance, we espied a white flag, borne by a number of men, whom we recognized as Napoleon and his suite, accompa nied by a regiment of German soldiers . Within a quarter of a mile of the house they halted . Napoleon dismounted, withdrew from his followers, and stepped forward in company with General Wimpffen, with his helmet under his arm, and his sabre in his hand. He, who for twenty years had ruled over one of the mightiest powers in the world, surrendered to his antagonist. The meeting of the emperors seemed to be cordial on the side of William; but very chilling on the side of Napoleon, who said: "I surrender my person; as for the rest, Your Majesty will look to the Empress and the government at Paris; for I am a prisoner, and have no authority to bargain for peace." He then presented hio swl:>rd. Emperor William asked him if he was satisfied to have Wilhelmshoh for his residence during his imprisonment in Germany. Napoleon assented, and, accompanied by two of his aids
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Richmond College Messenger.
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and General Wimpffen, he was sent to the above-named castle, escorted by five generals, two colonels, and one regiment with its officers. This was the last of Napoleon in the active part of the war, and as emperor. On the 5th of Sertember, three days after his surrender, the :Napoleonic dynasty was dethroned, and the republic proclaimed.
TWO DEATH-BEDS. The accompanying feeble attempt lays no claim to be considered as --poetry, ·but simply asks not to be criticised too severely.-Author.
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Draw back the curtains, throw the shutters back, Let in the light; oh God ! I gasp for breath. 'Fierce pains and torture my poor body rack; Good Lord have mercy ! Is this death? Grim phantoms, dark and horrid, flit before my sight, A cold and icy chill pervade my frame, The day seems passing swiftly-into night; Oh! that I could one short hour reclaim. :But no, ah no! the awful fiat sounds, And I am forced the summons to obey, And soon beneath the village church-yard mounds This frame will quickly crumble and decay. It is not that l fear; tliat l could bear. Ah, noJ there's something harder still behindit is that unknown mystic region where My spirit soon its just reward shall find. Dark deeds of other years are brought to mind,' No reperation now is in my power. ·Oh! that I could, for those I leave behind, Have but the respite of one fleeting hour. But now it is too late : I die, I die; Oh, God! look on me, save my soul from hell! llut no, He listens not, He sc~rns my cry, And I am lost; farewell ! farewell 1
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'The sun went down 'mid the threat'ning clouds; The earth was ,wrapped in darkness, dread and deep, J3ut darker yet the fate of that poor soul, And still more dread its last eternal sleep.
II The silent shades of -eve now gently fall; The flush of golden and of purple light, Which tinged the Western clouds, is growing small, And evening fadeth gently into night.
Two Deatk-Beds.
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Within a chamber, curtained 'gainst the light, One lies on whom long, weary months of pain And suffering hath performed their worst despite; Who, from his couch will never rise again, For mark the death-like pallor of his cheek, And hear his breath come hard and fast. A soft, !cw murmur, now he wants to speak; Bend low, this hour will be his last. "Mary, my much loved wife, farewell! farewell\ In heaven above I trust we all shall meet; No sickness, sorrow, parting, pain or death, Will there our charmed senses greet. Jesus can make a dying-bed feel soft As downy pillows-blest be His power. In this sad hour, thank God, I look aloft, Nor death, nor hell can make my spirit cower.
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The sun went down in a resplendep.t sky, The earth was wrapped in mild and mellow light, But still more glorious shone the ransom'd soul, When, freed from earth, to •heaven it winged its flight. JUVENIS,
THE BROOK. From the dark spring-mouth, High on the mountain, Flowing continually, Comes the brig ht fountain; From the earth gushing, O'er the stones rushing, In the sun flashing, Ceaselessly splashing. On down the mountain, Sparkling and leaping, Large stones oppose it, On each side creeping; Bathing the grass roots, Laving the young shoots, Noisily singing, Like silver bells ringing. Now o'er the high cliff Fearlessly leaping, Down to the valley Quietly sleeping ;
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Ri'chmond College Messenger. O'er the verge pouring, With a fierce roaring, On the rocks daghing, Rainbows all flashing. On through the valley, Spreading out wide, Other small brooklets Join in with their tide. All in the river Their streams deliver; Lost, lost in the swell, Sweet streamlet, farewell ! FAX.
WHY ARE WE NOT MEN? The untrammelled spirit of true, noble, heroic and, I had almost said, -god-like manhood, is readily discovered in its possesser, and always admired. Contact with such enkindles within our own hearts a kin-dred spirit, and makes us scorn to stoop to a low act. Contemplating such a character we envy, yet we admire it. vVe wonder and wonder again that the many do no not flock around us and look up to us as to these heaven-born spirits. We wonder that the positions of trust and honor are bestowed upon tliese, while we are overlooked. We wonder still more that our noble-heartedness, our accomplishments, and especially our genius, all seem to escape the notice of others, while they are as clear as the noon-day sun to ourselves. When we read some beautiful piece of composition, sparkling with thought and causing us to lose sight of the medium through which it is communicated to us so clear, so simple, we feel we could pick up our pen and dash off its equal at any time. If we try it we sit and wonder; we select our subject; we ponder and reflect; lay down our pen and finally give up the task in despair. When we hear the lucid, clearcut, forcible appeal of the orator, making his subject s,.oplain that we easily grasp every idea, we feel sure we could do almost as well on any occasion. But when we attempt it the great wonder is why we stammer and so confusedly mix our ideas, and forget all of our pretty speech, especially the best part. These all seem unsolvable conundrums. These are enigmas to be unriddled, the solving of which will answer the question, Why are we not men? In the first place, as soon as we learn to view ourselves as others view us, stop our ears to the bewitching whispers of fancy, cease to
Wiry are we not Mcn. feel that we are geniuses, sound our depth and measure our strength, just ~o soon do we begin to lay the foundation of true manhood. We need not fear that our genius has been overlooked, and our merits unduly appreciated . Rest assured that honor is most likely to be be stowed on him to whom honor is due; that merit and genius will always be recognized. Its lustre will dazzle even though it gleamed through the rifted clouds of adversity, o'r through the tattered garments of poverty. When we become men, indeed, we will be: recognized as such, and the voice of the world will give no uncertain sound with respect to our merit and our station. The question still arises unanswered, Why are we not men? Go ask that young man, from whose brow the impression of a mother's kiss has yet scarcely faded, and who, with high, excited hopes, has just left his delightful home. What has chilled his ardent spirit and clotted the blood that leaped in ecstacy through his veins, or darkened the panorama which his fancy, as a mental limner, had gilded so brightly? Why all this? I repeat. He has, at last, discovered that he is not a genius . But need he c-0ntinue despondent? Having ,made this one important di scovery, the next step is to make that discovery , without which he must forever remain in obscurity. Feeling that by unremitting toil and an indomitable will, he may yet be a man, his slumbering energy is aroused and quickened to action. He betakes himself to his ta<;k with his whole soul inflamed with the thought, "conquer or die." He feels that he must work harder than others. Stealing away from his companions he shuts himself in his room, burns the midnight taper, and wrestles with his task. He then turns to the mmt gifted, polished writers and speakers, whose rounded sentences and towering thoughts seem to be spontaneous outbursts of genius, but, on a closer analysis, he sees a Webster toiling months on a single sentence. He is charmed with Maccauley's masterly diction and inimitable style . Turning to the original manuscript, with astonishment he beholds it interlined, written and rewritten, corrected and recorrected, until it is almost unintelligible. Again, he sees the orator with his Phillipic eloquence charming his audience, handling and moving it as a toy in his hands; but he again, 011 a more minute examination, sees the laborious Demosthents in his lonely cell subjecting himself to every trial requisite to the perfect orator. So in every avocation in life when one comes forth and astonishes the world with his triumphant success, the secret of it will easily be discovered if we only enter within the veil, behind the scene. "Why are we not men? " still recurs unanswered. Have we lingered long and patiently behind the scene? Have we been making
Ricltmond College Messe1tger. and are we still ready to make that sacrifice of sensual enjoyments, subjecting ourselves to that mental, athletic training that is so necessary to true manhood, and considering the development of our God_ given faculties as paramount to everything else? After wrestling long and then coming upon the arena glittering with our own originalty, will we not be men ? To be men, developed in mind ¡as well as in heart, we must learn to think for ourselves. How few do this. One leading spirit in a neighborhood thinks for a whole community. In this day, with so many facilities for leaning, learning almost without study, if we continue to allow others to think for us we will forever remain dupes and never become men. With no independence of thought we let others study for us and think for us. Ah ! how it weakens our energies, paralyzes our powers, finally sinks our hearts in despair, and blights our hopes! Then, to be men, we must shake off these manacles that fetter our struggling spirits, and allow young genius, long smothered, to burst forth into day. Let me repeat, we must think for ourselves, study for ourselves, and act for ourselves . To be men, indeed, we must have some purpose, some aim in view, some fixed star in the future, toward which all our steps may converge. One wi!h such fixedness of aim and purpose takes no wayward steps, none but lead to the goal of his ambition. He turns neither to the right nor to the left, but his powers aud energies are so facalized that they cannot but be felt and acknowledged. With this aim before him, if he falls he does not fail. He scorns the word failure; he is only strengthened by the fall. The spirit of true manhood is stirred by it, and he is stimulated to grander achievements. Unlike the coward, he does not die a thousand deaths; but, like the hero, he dies but once. Show me the man with these principles impressed deeply in .his young heart, and I care not to measure his blood nor his brains. ¡ I ask not his country nor name, but I will pronounce for him that his power will be felt in his own time, and his name embalmed in the memory of posterity. With such feelings influencing his soul, he cannot be deterred from his object. Neither the burning mountains nor the trembling earthquake can frighten him from his course, and should the heavens fall, the shattered ruins would strike him on his way to his object. If we have failed to discover that, we are not geniuses; if we have failed to enter within the veil, behind the scene; if ,we have failed to to learn to think for ourselves; ,if we have failed to have before us that guiding star, that oneness of purpose; if we have failed to feel the fire of energy glow upon our hearts, we have the answer to the question, "Why are we not men?"
Editorial Notes.
EDITORIAL
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NOTES.
With this issue of the MESSENGER,the term of the present corps of editors expires. Two of them have fini_shed their collegiate career and have taken their position in the world's busy crowd. In the years to come, nothhlg will afford them a better subject for sweeter reflection than the many pleasant associations formed while at college. They may, without any suspicion of conceit being entertained against them, feel gratified at the fact that they have formed strong friends amongst both the members of the faculty and the students. The interests of the college will ever be a subject that will elicit their hearty cooperation, and whatever in their power can be done to aid in the prosperity of their alma mater will be done with a willingness which would be a guarantee and an evidence of their high appreciation of the faculty, and their high estimate of the course of instruction. They trust that they have performed the duties of the office to which they were elected, to the full satisfaction of the societies which they have represented. If there has been aught in their line of duty left unaccomplished, it must be attributed to a total ignorance of the matter in question and not to a desire to shirk ~he duties imposed, for they have been careful in their management of the MESSENGER,and their greatest efforts have been used in endeavoring to make it a .proper exponent of the college from which it issues. If they have failed in this; they regret that their attempt has been a fruitless one, and hope that the present session will bring to the front those who may wield stronger pens, be endowed with greater energy of purpose, and assiduity in the pursuance of their object, and prove more worthy of maintaining the magazine in its proper position. The editors in general must, in conclusion, earnestly ask the two societies, as well as each individual student, to give their assistance to the MESSENGER. It demands, and should have, the united support of the entire college. It is hoped that a stronger appeal than this will not be necessary, since . it is palpable to all that the MESSENGERmust, at all hazards, be respectably maintained. Let each student, therefore, take at least one copy, and if he can afford it, two copies, as some of the enterprising, active members of the societies did last session. A LITT¡LE lMPROVEMENT.-The students of last session will remember how the improvements in the western portion ot the city disarranged the fences around the college property, and cut down the grounds, without a very encouraging outlook for the future. We are gratified to say that the grounds have been sloped off to Broad and the
Richmond College l/,fessengcr. cross streets, and on Franklin have been leveled with that street, and the fences have been replaced. This will give some pleasure to those whose anger knew no bounds when the campus was intruded upon by the grass-loving kine. Many a "mickle makes a muckle." THANK.s.-We intended, in the June issue, to have given thanks to whom thanks were due, but the lack of space prevented us from doing justice to the assiduous, earnest efforts and labor of one who has done more by his untiring energy and zeal towards maintaining the MESSENGERthan any one student who has ever been at college. To him do the editors owe their commendation for the very smooth manner in which the financial and most important branch of the mag~zine has been conducted, and on that account the societies owe him abundant thanks. It would have been a difficult matter to have secured one who could better - have filled a position which demanded a great deal of time, patience, and industry. We can, with greater ease, say wha,t we have in praise of Mr. C. A. G. Thomas, treasurer of the Richmond College MESSENGER,in that he will not be at college the ensuing session. A ¡BOAT CLUB.-We hope sufficient college spirit will be manifested during the present year to insure the formation of a boat club. Such a thing has become interwoven as a part of the gymnastic exercise at the various institutions, and we see no reason why one cannot be established here, where we have an excellent sheet of water and, in short, everything that will conduce to the thorough success of such an undertaking. Let five or six students sign a call for a general mass-meeting to consider the matter, and a general expressiou of opinion, tQgether with the report of a well-selected committee, will show whether a boat club can be formed and properly sustained. DR. BROADUs's ADDRESS.-We regret we have to state that all our efforts to secure for publication a copy of the masterly and scholarly address of Dr. Broadus before the literary societies last June, have been unavailing. In a reply to a letter asking the favor, he stated that he had nothing but mere notes, and regretted his inability to comply with the request. Very many of the students, who heard Dr. Broadus, will be disappointed to learn that it will not be printed in this issue of the MESSENGER. We promised to do all we could to secure a copy, and the result of our endeavors in that direction will bring noue the less disappointment to students in general than to the editors themselves. In having it in our columns we had hoped to give every one a rich treat in this, the October, issue. FINALADDREss.-We must impress upon the two societies that they determine, as soon as possible, whether they will h~ve a joint celebra-
Local Mention. tion, and set immediately to work to secure some prominent gentleman to deliver the address before the two societies. There has been a great inclination to put the matter off until such a time when no one, who would do justice to himself, would like to accept . If they are always as fortunate a:; last session, we would never say a word, but such a man and such an address it is not always their pleasure to have. We earnestly beg that they attend to the selection of some one in time to give him an opportunity to reflect credit "upon himself. The earlier in the session that the matter is attended to, the better.
LOCAL MENTION. A student of the law class of last year, whose poetical humor some• times strikes him like a goat, and completely shatters his nervous constitution, compos ed the following lines during a law lecture. We are sorry to be unable to inform any one whether he has ~urvived the shock -which he must have experienced. The Prisoner of Chillon could not have been a better companion for the disconsolate author. My hair is white, But not with years, Nor grew it white In a single night, As men's have done with sudden fean; For dulness cau sed my sad condition, By Minor 's lectures And conjectures, Mixed up with mournful admonition. My eyes are weak from searching, pleading, Yes, quite put out from Blackst one reading; And when I sleep the last, long sleep, And friends and loved ones round me weep, Say in thy grief and sorrow's fulness, "He pined and died from Minor's dulness." I
In order to impress the fact upon the minds of his dull pupils that' . the third and fourth conjugations of the Latin verb suffer a change "in the future tense, the principal of a neighboring female institute has originated the following conundrum: "Why are the third and fourth conjugations like an old maid?" Answer: "Because they have ~o bo (beau) in the future.'' · A student in the preparatory class in Latin astonished his pro£essor by the following translation: Vir, a man; gin, a trap; virgin, a man• trap.
3
t8
R£clzmond College Mt'ssenger.
A Richmond negro, who pawned his shot-gun for a marriage license, said about a week after the ceremony was performed: "I was always afeard dat gun would be de death of me.'' He was a new student, and had come to town for the first time. As he looked at the telegraph wires, he said: "Why do you make your wire fences so high?'' Our much-respected professor of English was making a speech some time ago to a congregation of negroes in one of their churches in this city, during a meeting of one of their associations. He was speaking of man's individuality, and remarked that we think alone, act alone, and come into this world alone. Just here a . colored brother said: "But, Doctor, how is it when dey come twins?" "Ah!" says the Doctor, "that is a very serious question." '
PERSONALS. Frank T. West, B. L., is practicing law in Richmond, Va. He is a handsome boy, so the girls say; they all like him, too, and just tell us the man that doesn't, and we'll knock him down-not Frank, but the man. Sol. Cutchins, M. A., B. L., has juEt recovered from a severe attack of typhoid fever, and is again at his law business in Richmond, Va. No young man has gained the confidence and esteem of the older members of the bar in a shorter time than Sol., and we trust that he may meet with that success which his business energy and his ·other high qualifications demand. Prof. Davies has just reason to be much gratified at the position of all of the representatives of his law class who are settled in Richmond. 0. H. P. Garnett, B. L., is practicing law in Waco, Texas. He was in Richmond during the Summer looking towards the prosecution, 'We hear, of a very important suit. We wish him success. G. W. Riggan, M.A., is a student at the Theological Seminary at Louisville, Ky. C. T. Herndon is also at the Seminary at Louisville. "Good morn'ing, Mr. Chairman." "Oh I Chris, Chris." Cupid will be remembered by others than the students. He will look out now for other · characters to " take off.'' W. T. Derieux, who has been spending the summer in South Carolina, is at Louisville pursuing his theological studies; also the follow-
Personals. ing former students at Richmond: A. Pugh, W. F. Harris, Robt. Carney, Frank Robertson and T. W. T. Noland. J. T. E. Thornhill is secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, Mobile, Al;:t. Tim Hall has taken unto himself a wife. E. M. Baum, B. L., is practicing law in Norfolk, Va. We would like to know about that divorce case, gained by default. T. Ellis Drewry has gone into business in Griffin, Ga. We'll venture he belongs to a base ball club. E. B. Morris is at Crozer Theological Seminary, Chester, Penn. C. A. Cutchins is in bnsiness in Norfolk, Va. F. T. Davis is at Crozer 1 heo_logical Seminary. Tim Rives, B. L., is practicing law in Prince George county, Va. Tim, tell us how the rations are getting along which the soldiers issued while they were in your part of the country. Better than anywhere else in seventeen states? G. M. Shott is married, and says he is looking for some shott before very long. C. A. G. Thomas, the very efficient treasurer of the M~sSENGER,is now at the Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. To fill his place will be a difficult matter for the societies. P . Y. Tupper is at the Louisville Medical College, and will graduate next Mar..:h. He received last year the Coomes' prize for the best notes on Clinical 0pthalmology and Otology. L. M. Nance, B. L., is Commonwealth's Attorney for Charles City county; elected in last May. A. Fleet, Jr., is Associate Principal of the Winchester High School, Winchester, Ky. C. C. Bittmg graduated last June, in law, at the University of Maryland. He is practicing in Baltimore. Carroll is a good fellow, and we wish him success. L. Floyd Nock, M. A., graduated last June, in law, at the University of Virginia. B. T. Davies, M. A., was recently married to Miss Goodwin, of , Caroline county, Va. We wish him havpiness in his new sphere . I. Morton Mercer, M. A., has connected himself with Mr. B. T. Davies as Associate Principal of the Richmond Academy. Their prospects for the ensuing session are of the most encouraging nature. H. C. Cabell, B. A., received through Gen. Joseph E . Johnston the appointment of cadet at the U. S. Military Academy, at West Point, and is now there enjoying a soldier's life. We would like to hear from him. We know of no one from whom we would receive a letter with greater pleasure. He says the girls are plentiful and gay. C. E . Jones has become a farmer's boy. He will tell you that plowing, to be beneficial, must, like drinking at the Pierian spring, be deep. Rolfe E. Glover, M. A., is connected with the house of Davenport, Morris & Co., wholesale grocers, and the largest establishment south of New York. The ability which he so brilliantly displayed during his collegiate career, the energy, vim and perseverance he showed in whatever he undertook, and the high moral principle that pervaded every act, all warrant him in being such a combination as gives the
20
Richmond College Messenger.
world assurance of a man; and whatever high and honorable position he may fill in the future, the measure of our wishes will always be equal to his merits, and that will demand a fine success in life. Julian Cabell is in the tobacco business. He is.with Lottier& Co., a well-known tobacco manufacturing firm of Richmond, Va. · W. W. Field has been taking a summer course in law at the University of Virginia. He expects to practice in Richmond, Va. · S. B. Witt, B. L., has just been nominated as one of the representatives in the lower branch of the Legislature from the city of Richmond, which, in fact, amounts to his election. He will make an active, useful and energetic member. Sam is a trump. James Lyons, Jr., B. A., B. L., has just received the nomination at the primary election of the conservative party as representative in the lower branch of the Legislature. This insures success at the general election in November. We congratulate him. R!chmond College should feel proud of her two young representatives from the metropolitan district. Mr. Lyons will, no doubt, be the youngest member in the next Legislature.
EXCHANGES.
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We have received the following exchanges: The Album, The Montpelierian, Lasell Leaves, Roanoke Collegian, Queen's CollegeJournal, The CollegeIndex, The Oracle, The Student's Journal, The Critic, The College Herald, College Record, The Eueian, College Journal, The Home Journal, Mississippi University Magazine, The Wz"ttenberger,College Message, Tlze Packer Quarterly, The Educational Journal (Virginia), Student Life, Randolph Macon Monthly, Tlte Rochester Campus, The Wabash, Emory and Henry Clarion, An'el, The Academy Journal, The Campus, Hig/1 Sclzool Journal, Cornell Grap!tic,. The Virginia University Magazine, The Cornell Review, Washington Jeffersonian, Tlze Wabas/1, Pennsylvania College Monthly, The Odd Trump, Lafayette College Journal, 'Ihe Sibyl, Maryland Collegian, The Undergraduate, The Earl/zamite, Vanderbilt Austral, Hagerstown Seminary Monthly, 'The Central Collegian, Vie Beacon, The Reveille, The Lindsley Echo, K. M. T. News, New York World, Virginia Star, King CollegeExponent, Scn ·bner' s Monthly and St. Nicholas. In speaking of our May issue, the Virginia University Magazine says: "Oliver Goldsmith" is instructive and pleasant reading. The style is light and literary, and characteristic features are chosen with discrimination. The Messenger through the year has been superior, we think, to any of the Virginia college papers. The Southern Collegian is more lengthy, more discursive, more various, but for compact, well selected matter, freedom from faults and excellence in taste and talent, the Messenger, we dare say, should take the first rank-a tasteful college literary magazine. This the Messenger, we think, may claim.