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 «.k- 
 
 
VIBGINI A : 
 
 Past and Present. 
 
 BY 
 
 ELIZABETH LEE. 
 ii 
 
 RICHMOND: 
 
 EVERETT WADDEY CO., PUBLISHERS. 
 1895. 
 

 \X13>U 
 
 & 
 
DEDICATION 
 
 On the Shrine of American Liberty I lay this 
 
 TRIBUTE : TO THE BRAVE HEARTS WHO WORE 
 THE GRAY, AND THOSE WHOSE GARB 
 
 WAS BLUE. 
 
 " Pro Memoria." 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 'T'HE desire of being of some benefit to the rising 
 
 generation, and to bring before them true incidents 
 
 in the lives of many of the noblest and best men and 
 
 women, who " have passed over the river and rest under 
 
 the shade of the trees," has prompted this effort. I offer 
 
 no apology. To-day the counters of our bookstores are 
 
 flooded with literature of all kinds, some of which, to 
 
 say the least, is of doubtful import. To aid, elevate, 
 
 and encourage, is my object. To be the means, however 
 
 humble, of so doing, is the earnest wish and sincere 
 
 prayer of — 
 
 Elizabeth Lee. 
 
VIRGINIA: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 In a small, old-fashioned house among the red hills of 
 Charlotte there came into existence in March, 1794, an 
 infant son to a worthy and honored couple — their first 
 boy. The life of this child was to its parents, as is that 
 of all first-born sons, the pride of a father's and the 
 delight of a mother's heart ; so many fond hopes cen- 
 tered in the object of their mutual love ; high and noble 
 aspirations for its future ; that in him the talent and 
 genius of the family might shine out, for in the past 
 the name had been noted for its chivalry and noble bear- 
 ing. They had landed at an early day at Jamestown, and 
 after remaining in that portion of the State a short time 
 had ventured further into the then unbroken forests, 
 where the Indian was at home on his native soil. Wil- 
 liam Lee was of splendid build, strong, athletic, quick, 
 and so the stories of his hair-breadth escapes from dan- 
 ger were often the admiration of his comrades ; they 
 looked up to him as a " leader through the land of diffi- 
 culty." No obstacle seemed to be such that he would 
 shrink from an undertaking in which they desired the 
 knowledge of the country. He was undaunted, and when 
 he found what he considered a desirable situation, was 
 joined by others in clearing and opening up enough land 
 to build their rough cabins and cultivate small farms, and 
 thus it happened that the subject of this chapter was 
 
 [9] 
 
10 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 born in the humble cabin in old Charlotte county, one of 
 the best and most desirable in after years of the many 
 attractive counties of Southside Virginia. Here was the 
 home of Patrick Henry, whose name will live while our 
 country does ; and here, too, lived Randolph, the most 
 remarkable man in many respects of his time, whose 
 memory is associated with much of true greatness as well 
 as much to excite the feeling of sadness and sorrow, that 
 so much of genius should at last had cause to mourn the 
 misspent years, as his last moments prove. 
 
 In this happy but confined space, grew up the hero of 
 these pages ; left at a very early age an orphan, his 
 father dying when he was but an infant ; and left to the 
 care and training of an inexperienced and diffident young 
 mother, to battle as best she could with the world. 
 Alone ! in the great busy world, with only this tie to 
 bind her to life ; ah, who can but sympathize with her 
 in her sad and lonely lot? Friends few, and far away, 
 and those who were related to her boy, and who could 
 have rendered her aid, cold and indifferent ; can we 
 wonder that a spirit of pride rilled her breast and a de- 
 termination to depend on herself without seeking aid 
 from her husband's family ; which resolution she for 
 some years adhered to ; the boy growing up as fine a 
 lad as any mother could desire to call son — handsome, 
 intelligent, and educated, as she could teach him. This 
 youthful scion of a noble house grew to be perhaps ten 
 years of age, when the poor young mother, growing faint 
 by the wayside, felt she must look for other help to sustain 
 her boy ; not then, as now, could a boy of his attainments 
 have made a few dimes a week, or found some kind friend 
 who, struck with his manly bearing, would have given 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 1 1 
 
 him help. No we can claim nothing as superior to this 
 day in that respect, for the " former times were ( not) better 
 than these." At length she has to resort to the grand- 
 father of her boy. The stern, unsympathetic old gentle- 
 man was touched at the sight of his grandson, and feel- 
 ing that he must relent, offered them in his own comfort- 
 able home a place. The relief was not long enjoyed by 
 the mother, but rest was given her who had toiled nobly 
 for her boy. She was laid away in a rude grave-yard, 
 with only the tears of her desolate darling to bedew her 
 last resting-place ; no hand to scatter the lovely violets 
 of the spring morning over the lonely mound where her 
 tired body was laid down ; but the cold, cruel mound, as 
 the poor boy viewed it, left her adorned in its loneliness. 
 He never forgot the scene of his first grief, of his lonely 
 acquaintance with sorrow. Back with his grandfather he 
 went, and now life has a reality to the tender-hearted, 
 loving boy, whose young heart was bursting with grief. 
 With no mother's hand to wipe away the tears which 
 could not be kept back, for hours he felt that his was 
 the hardest lot, and the longing to lay beside his mother 
 was so great that he wandered off to cry himself to sleep 
 beside the cold mound that hid from view all he had 
 loved with an intense devotion. Poor lad, could the future 
 journey of life there have been unfolded, how your tender 
 heart would have been wrung. How merciful in our 
 All-Wise Father, that the veil is not withdrawn. Ah, 
 how many of us would falter, yea fall, beneath the view. 
 The many and severe disappointments of our lives ; the 
 changes which fall on us all as our early associations 
 pass away. Friendship ! would that the name meant 
 what we first believed it, that the hollow mockery of the 
 
12 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 term could not be felt. Those who by ties of nature 
 should be our best and tenderest, alienated and their 
 love withdrawn for some trivial excuse. Often have I 
 wished to revise the meaning (rather the expression in 
 some sons and daughters of my experience) of the term. 
 Those changes come in life to all, and what a blessed 
 privilege we have, whose dependence is felt in the un- 
 changing friend. In our sunny years we believe all that 
 is bright and joyous is to last ; that our own lot will be 
 different from that of those who have gone before; that 
 life's joys are real, and loving words of our youth's friends 
 will always be the same. In this faith we are happy; 
 would it were not a delusion. Those we counted our near- 
 est and dearest often are the earliest to leave us, wonder- 
 ing at the truth of constancy and affection. Our paths 
 diverge, other scenes present themselves ; our school-day 
 professions are forgotten, others come into our lives. Thus 
 is life. Such is my experience, and I have not " yet at- 
 tained to the life of my fathers." 
 
 The subject of this chapter grows up a bright and un- 
 daunted youth, with but small opportunities of obtaining 
 an education. The Ci old-field schools," as they were then 
 called, were not very honorable institutions of learning 
 always. The teacher was a tyrant often and the pupils too 
 much cowed to take advantage of their opportunities ; 
 the birch was freely used, and often unjustly. The youth 
 of this generation are far in advance of our sires in this 
 respect ; the teacher of to-day superior to those of the 
 past in many other ways beside the art of imparting 
 knowledge. In Henry Lee, that spark of " Nature's fire " 
 which kindled into genius was burning, and the determi- 
 nation to obtain an education was firmly implanted to 
 
Virginia: Past and Present 13 
 
 rise above the surroundings of his early life and make 
 for himself a name and position among men. With his 
 grandfather the old-fashioned idea, that all boys should 
 work and only study when they couldn't work, kept 
 Henry back for a time. When only ten years of age, he 
 was wakened up at six o'clock in the morning and sent 
 to work without his breakfast. Think of that, ye happy 
 boys of to-day, who many of you sleep till seven and 
 eight in the mornings, then eat your comfortable break- 
 fasts before venturing out. This poor lad had that meal 
 sent to the field to be eaten on the plough handles or 
 seated on the ground. The youth of that generation had 
 much to contend with of which you are blissfully igno- 
 rant. Henry Lee loved books. They were his dearest 
 companions. That was a source of pleasure none could 
 take from him, and at night beside a " lightwood fire " 
 (pine wood fire-light) he would sit for hours reading, 
 and this was the pleasant part of his life for two or three 
 years. At the age of fourteen, the grandfather of our 
 hero decides to let him have a " little schooling." So when 
 the few books then used were collected to set off for 
 school, Henry had an easy job. Only Murrays' Grammar, 
 an arithmetic, spelling book, and Johnson's Dictionary 
 made up his lot of school books. The dream of his life, 
 however, seemed about to be realized — he could have the 
 advantages of an education. The teacher of this school 
 was a man of more than ordinary ability, who himself 
 had only a limited education, but study and perseverance 
 had improved his mind, and to the humble patrons of the 
 school he was a man wondrously wise. He had the gift 
 of making himself pleasant and agreeable to the old peo- 
 ple, and they believed in him ; that his rules and mandates 
 
14 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 should be obeyed at all times in the school-room was 
 the command to the children from the parents. In that 
 respect the teacher of that day was, perhaps, better ofT 
 than to-day, for " young America " often " wields the wand 
 of authority " at home ; his word is the law, and at school 
 the teacher dare not array himself, or herself, against the 
 wishes of such youths for fear of arousing their anger 
 and perhaps discharge from his office. 
 
 Let us be thankful that a better day is dawning for both 
 teacher and pupil. Time flies rapidly ; the years come 
 and go all too soon. Henry Lee, now seventeen years of 
 age, has by the light of his pine knots studied history, 
 chemistry, and philosophy ; no instructor to guide, only 
 the innate desire to know, to possess knowledge, has filled 
 his whole soul ; and if to read and study shall gain the de- 
 sired end, nothing shall be left undone on his part. 
 During the next year the war of 1812 came on, when he 
 was just eighteen, and his mind was filled with the sto- 
 ries of wrong and oppression, his breast burning with 
 enthusiasm to enlist as a soldier in defence of his coun- 
 try. He felt he was now a free man. So, without consult- 
 ing his grandfather, he joined the army. The old man, 
 not caring to thwart the plans of the boy, consented. He 
 achieved a name for valor and bravery that was the ad- 
 miration of his command. No hardship was irksome to 
 to him ; always ready to act as he was ordered, no wonder 
 that he came home honored and respected. After return- 
 ing to his native county another thought came into his 
 mind, and the most important change in his life took 
 place : his resolution to enter the army of the " Great 
 Captain of our Salvation," and serve His cause with ardor 
 and devotion. No means of attending a theological 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 15 
 
 school, we find him purchasing such books as his small in- 
 come would allow. A distinguished divine, hearing of his 
 wish to prepare himself for the ministry, offered him the 
 use of his own well filled library and such counsel as he was 
 competent to give in his course. This, then, was his 
 school of training. He studied with zeal and earnestness. 
 Nothing of an unimportant nature found him absent from 
 Mr. R.'s study. After a thorough course of reading such 
 books on church history as this period afforded (books 
 not so cheap then as now, so that none but the rich owned 
 rare and valuable works), he was examined by the Pres- 
 bytery of West Hanover. The answers surprised that 
 august body. " There were giants in those days " — intel- 
 lectual giants. That this youth, with the limited means 
 he had, should have pursued a course of study requisite 
 for the position he longed to fill ; their close and rigid 
 questions, answered with a firm and quiet dignity, un- 
 abashed by being surrounded by men whose fame was in 
 every State of the Union, and on the delivery of his 
 first sermon the ease of manner and singular beauty of 
 his voice was a source of still further astonishment. Where 
 and by what means had this youth acquired such culti- 
 vated tone of voice, thrilling as it did, at times, the au- 
 dience assembled on that to him noted occasion ; for this 
 was his entrance into that higher and nobler life, where 
 he was destined to shine, the soft and persuasive tones of his 
 melodious voice often melting the most obdurate to tears? 
 Interest in the young man was felt by the best men of 
 every profession, and they gave him words of encourage- 
 ment he never forgot. Not many months elapsed before 
 he was called as pastor to some of the largest and most 
 wealthy country churches in this same renowned county, 
 
16 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 where the advantages of associating with men of the 
 finest talent of the day was of great help to him. As, in 
 the discharge of every duty of his life, he was faithful ; 
 so in his new calling, as one " who careth for souls," he 
 was singularly blessed. The attractive manner and win- 
 ning voice made him an acceptable guest in the homes of 
 the high, and always a welcome visitor to the humblest 
 roof. His reading was most touching ; especially did the 
 reading of the Scriptures impress his hearers, the solem- 
 nity of his voice, his distinct utterance, and the humble 
 supplication of a Throne of Grace in behalf of the 
 wandering sinner all felt and many appreciated. He 
 was a means of good wherever he went. Not long did 
 he remain in confined limits, but adjoining counties in- 
 vited him to come and fill their pulpits. Revivals were 
 the order of the day, and many souls were added to the 
 church. " They that turn many to righteousness shall 
 shine as the stars forever and ever." 
 
 In the county of Lunenburg he met his fate in a beau- 
 tiful and attractive young widow with plenty of means, 
 one courted and admired by men of wealth and position, 
 yet to all she turned a deaf ear except the poor young 
 minister. His sincere words of devotion were different 
 from those of her other admirers, whose confidence in 
 their ability to win her hand was destroyed when they 
 came in contact with Henry Lee, at this time one of the 
 finest specimens of manhood — tall, commanding, and 
 graceful in every movement. He was well calculated to 
 win the love and admiration of any refined, intelligent 
 woman ; and faithfully and nobly were the vows made 
 carried out. The marriage was quietly celebrated in 
 her lovely home, witnessed only by a few of their most 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 17 
 
 intimate friends, and thus from a life of hardship was 
 our hero raised to one of ease ; and here most beautifully 
 is his fine character again the admiration of his friends ; 
 no self-indulgence is his, but the same unflinching line 
 of duty which has always characterized him. No pre- 
 tended sanctity, but a deep, abiding faith filled his soul ; 
 genuine, frank, forgiving, but with an independence that 
 dares " do right," with the fear or dread of no mortal, 
 but so to "walk as seeing Him who is invisible," that his 
 life should prove "whose he was and whom he served." 
 In his new home he had many opportunities of useful- 
 ness ; they had hosts of friends as visitors, some among 
 them who were addicted to many of the fashionable fol- 
 lies and weaknesses of the day — horse-racing, gambling 
 (that most debasing crime), cock-fighting (the cruel 
 sport so much then indulged in). Against these vices his 
 voice was raised from the pulpit, and into the homes as 
 he visited his congregation the courage of his convictions 
 sustained, laboring in the Master's vineyard ; and many 
 of the hardened sinners were won by the gentle, tender 
 influence of his counsel and example, and brought into 
 the fold " of such as shall be saved." Among the num- 
 ber of the new accessions to the church, which from 
 being the feeblest in the county became the most influen- 
 tial, was Captain S., who was for years the leader in the 
 fashionable gayeties of the day, morning often finding his 
 guests at the card-table after a night of wine-drinking. 
 When the fact was known that he had resolved to give 
 up these evil habits, it came as a shock to those who had 
 so long indulged at his expense in these sinful occupa- 
 tions. His house now became the resting-place of the 
 ministers of all denominations, and the future life of the 
 2 
 
18 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 man proved the truth of the change. How thankful 
 should we be that at this enlightened day such a course 
 of life is not encouraged, all right minds tending to- 
 wards a nobler and better life. The race-course in this 
 honored old county no longer exists ; cock-fighting un- 
 known ; gambling, if indulged in at all, kept so secretly 
 hidden from the public that its whereabouts are un- 
 known ; the grandchildren of those of a former genera- 
 tion, who followed these vain practices, filling honored 
 positions in Church and State. We are on the road of 
 progress ; our beloved old State is honored and respected, 
 and let us bear the standard higher. 
 
 Years quickly pass, and their union is blessed with 
 children, sons and daughters, committed to their care 
 to train for immortality. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 In this home dwelt the mother of Henry Lee's wife, 
 a woman noted for her piety and benevolence ; a Presby- 
 terian from conviction, and true to her church. Her wise 
 and judicious counsel was of great aid to her son, as her 
 affection for him was that of an own mother. She was 
 rich and honored ; her presence ever welcome in any 
 place — the young revered and loved her ; her sympathy 
 and tender words of warning, if they were disposed to 
 act indiscreetly, were at once accepted, and only the 
 great day will reveal the means of good she was to all 
 around her. Her negroes were a source of great distress 
 and trouble ; slavery was not to her idea just what it 
 should be, and here she shone forth an example in the 
 teaching and training of their untutored minds, instruct- 
 ing them in religion as well as their work. Among those 
 in whom she took special interest was a woman 
 whose case is too remarkable to pass unnoticed. " Aunt 
 Jenny," as she was called, after listening to the story of 
 Jesus of Nazareth, lingered in doubt and fear for many 
 days ; at last a sweet peace filled her soul, and she came 
 rejoicing to her mistress to tell that her burden of sin had 
 fallen away. The conversation was such that all were 
 filled with wonder ; this poor, uneducated negro woman, 
 sitting beside her mistress and telling in the language of 
 an educated woman of her conversion. The matter was 
 a source of astonishment, and persons came to the place 
 to see and converse with her ; remarking " her language 
 was astonishing — no incorrect expression," no darky 
 
 [19] 
 
20 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 words; but it seemed as if she were filled with wisdom 
 from above. Her after life proved that the woman was 
 a true follower of the Lamb. Her influence with the other 
 colored people was worth more than one could believe^ 
 unless they had the opportunity of seeing and knowing the 
 change made in their mode of living. Their ideas were 
 then as now very perverted. The influence of this godly 
 woman caused them to live better lives — a higher regard 
 for honesty and morality — so that in all the country there 
 was no place where the colored population were so highly 
 respected, and proud were they of their homes, neat gar- 
 dens for every family, hen-houses, and they were per- 
 mitted to sell what they wished from their supply ; their 
 houses comfortable, with brick chimneys, glass in the 
 windows ; flowers some of them planted beside their 
 doorway, where the vines shaded them from the heat of 
 the sun at mid-day, as they would assemble for dinner, 
 each one plentifully provided with bacon and bread. 
 The mistake is a very old and widely circulated one, 
 that the negro was not fed and clothed. As a general 
 thing they were bountifully fed and comfortably clothed. 
 There were isolated cases, even in Virginia, where their 
 owners were too miserly to properly feed and clothe them, 
 but they were censured by all right-minded persons, and in 
 one county the neighbors of a man who did not feed his 
 negroes told him if he would not feed his hands as he 
 ought they would club in and supply them with pro- 
 visions. This is a substantial fact ; at this late day I re- 
 late it, that our honor in that respect may not be sullied ; 
 for to own them and fail to treat them properly would 
 be a stain on any people. We who know of the truth of 
 their kind treatment are often wounded by the falsity ot 
 
Virginia: Past and Present. 21 
 
 stories written and published to injure our good name. 
 The time has past for such statements to bring about the 
 evil once they might have done, and let us thank God 
 the cause for so much dissension has been removed in the 
 freedom and deliverance of " our brother in black." No 
 ultra Abolitionist rejoiced more in this than the writer of 
 these pages. They claimed my earliest sympathy, and 
 to few persons was I more indebted than my black 
 mammy. She was ever my warmest friend and true to 
 my best interest ; her counsels and admonitions would 
 have done credit to many higher up in life. Tender and 
 loving, and to my faults and frailties oblivious, her mem- 
 ory will ever remain enshrined in the depths of my 
 heart. More of her life will be written of later, when 
 the period came upon us that tried the stability of our 
 people and shattered and sundered so much that was 
 grand and noble. 
 
 The children of Henry Lee were now growing old 
 enough to be at school, and having the means in his power 
 of educating them, he determined the best advantages 
 should be given them. Too young yet to be sent from 
 home, private teachers were employed, of whom the first 
 was a young divinity student from Northampton, Massa- 
 chusetts, gifted then, as now, with men and women of 
 the highest order of talent and finest instructors. We 
 will follow this young man in his travels, and perhaps 
 be amused at the length of time it took him to make the 
 trip now so quickly made. Bidding his friends adieu, 
 and with many anxious thoughts as to his future, he came 
 by rail as far as Richmond, Virginia ; thence by stage 
 coach to a country tavern, where is now flourishing the 
 town of Blackstone, then called Blacks and Whites, be- 
 
22 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 cause of being settled by men bearing those names. At 
 this point he had to hire a horse to make the balance of 
 the journey, a distance of twenty miles perhaps. It was 
 in the autumn of 1S42 that a pale, slender traveller might 
 have been seen wending his way through the dense forest 
 of a fine Virginia plantation. It was near nightfall, and 
 our traveller having had a tedious day's travel, is taking 
 the latter part of the journey leisurely. Before he is 
 aware of the fact darkness has settled over the "stranger 
 in a strange land." This of itself is no incentive to pleas- 
 ant thoughts. The faithful animal, too, is now showing 
 sings of weariness. Resolving to give the horse his own 
 course, and not try to guide, " whither he knows not," he 
 looks at the situation and takes it calmly. No use com- 
 plaining, no one to blame, and now so dark that but for 
 the beams of the kindly stars he could not even see the 
 road. Ere long, however, the light of a full moon be- 
 gins to shed her rays over the scene, and never were her 
 beneficent beams more welcome to a careworn son of 
 earth. In the distance he sees lights gleaming from the 
 windows ; and as he rides up the long avenue leading to 
 the stately old mansion he wonders how he will be re- 
 ceived. The fine old oaks, chesnuts, and elms and forest 
 trees of other kinds bordered the long approach on either 
 side from the " big gate " to the front door. As he dis- 
 mounts in front of the house the horse-rack near by is 
 seen, and to this his black steed is hitched till he is cared 
 for by a servant. The front door stands wide open, em- 
 blem of the warm-hearted hospitality of the inmates of 
 that delightful home. Knocking, he is at once received 
 in the kindest manner by the host, being ushered into the 
 family sitting-room and introduced to the household, 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 23 
 
 seated by a comfortable fire. He soon feels somewhat 
 relieved. The dismal thoughts of the past few hours 
 vanish he feels he is not among a cold-hearted people, 
 but those who will make his life a pleasant and agreeable 
 one. He hears the sound of the tea bell with emotions 
 of pleasure. Tired and hungry, as he is, we will follow 
 him into the fine old dining-room, sure are we of justice 
 being done to the appetizing supper. Hot rolls, delicious 
 biscuits, cakes, butter, honey, and ham, which only a Vir- 
 ginia housekeeper can place on her table (none can com- 
 pare with the Virginia-cured ham, they are world-re- 
 nowned), hot coffee, delicious milk, and attentive ser- 
 vants to wait on the table, our Yankee friend rises from 
 such a meal in rather better state of mind than he 
 went into the room with. After tea they enter into a 
 pleasant conversation, which is kept up till the hour for 
 retiring. The white-haired grandmother attracts his at- 
 tention, and in her presence he feels at home. That be- 
 nevolent face is an index of the mind. Ah, if there were 
 more of these saintly women to-day would not our land be 
 blessed ! She had become sanctified through affliction ; 
 her heart beat warmly towards the young man, so far sep- 
 arated from his loved ones, and true indeed was she to him. 
 A holy and tender expression beamed from her counte- 
 nance. Such influence and example is a benediction to any 
 house ; and the words of tender warning and entreaty she 
 uttered to many youths is still remembered by the heads 
 now hoary ; and so a good man or woman lives. The seed 
 for usefulness sown by them do not die, but though they 
 may lie dormant for years, they will burst forth at last 
 into a beauty undying, for " truth is eternal." 
 
 This evening is Saturday — a preparation day in this 
 
24 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 family for the Sabbath. The Sabbath school lessons are 
 prepared, texts of Scripture committed to memory — a 
 much more difficult task than you of to-day encounter 
 in your beautiful lesson papers, which are attractive ; 
 while our lessons were in books, some of which had no 
 pictures at all, but questions to be studied from the 
 Bible, and it took a pretty good theologian to anwer the 
 questions ; then the long, hard answers to the Longer 
 Catechism, which you think altogether too hard, or en- 
 tirely unimportant. A Sunday lesson of fifty years ago 
 was very different from to-day, and yet the children 
 learned and were interested. Our Yankee friend is called 
 on to lead in family worship — in a trusting and humble 
 spirit, appreciating the feeling that brings out much of 
 what is true and real in our characters. The bonds of 
 Christian love are thus united. How it opens up our 
 hearts to feel " in Him we are all one." With the " good- 
 night" said (as was always the custom in old times) his 
 host takes him to his own room ; he is not sent, conducted 
 by a servant, but the truly hospitable host of that time 
 always went with a stranger to his sleeping apartment. 
 A cozy fire and lighted wax candle cause a homelike 
 feeling. Being left alone, he speedily prepares for retiring, 
 committing himself to the care of " Him who never 
 slumbers." He is soon in the land of dreams. We will 
 leave him to enjoy the much-needed repose, and follow 
 the sainted old lady to her room. She truly belonged to 
 the class " who think no evil," and one, I fear, fast passing 
 away. Her heart was filled with charity to all, of what- 
 ever race or position ; to the slaves owned by the family 
 she is an " angel of mercy." Their temporal wants were 
 liberally provided for ; but an awful sense of responsi- 
 
Virginia: Past and Present. 25 
 
 bility as to the training of these souls for eternity bur- 
 dened her soul, and for years she had made it a practice 
 to talk to them on this subject. Here again her influence 
 has not departed, for the descendants of her negroes oc- 
 cupy high positions in many of the States, respected for 
 their high sense of honor, intelligence and morality. Ah ! 
 the sigh will escape me. Had all of us been equally 
 faithful in this respect we would not have cause to regret 
 " wasted opportunities." A sad retrospect, the souls we 
 may have taught the " way of life." We let the spring- 
 time pass, the seed not sown, the harvest in summer not 
 gathered, and all is lost forever. The night is spent in 
 refreshing sleep, and our Yankee friend, whom I shall 
 call Mr. L., rises much invigorated. The calm, peaceful 
 light of the Holy Sabbath, the tinkle of the sheep bell as 
 they are turned into the pasture, brings into his mind a 
 train of thought — " My sheep hear My voice." Had he 
 not heard that voice bidding him go forth and lead 
 others in the way of light? Here on this large plantation 
 was ample work, and the determination to endeavor to 
 lead some soul to Christ was his earnest wish. The time 
 for family prayer summons each one by the ringing of 
 what we all called the " prayer bell," for its tone and 
 dimensions were different from the dining-room bell ; and 
 this service over, each one was ready for the Sunday 
 morning breakfast. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 In this household religion was an every-day matter ; 
 the elderly members of the family brought it into their 
 daily actions ; its restraints and influence was felt by all. 
 The Sabbath was a day to be sanctified, to be spent ac- 
 cording to the command "kept holy from worldly em- 
 ployment " ; the servants were taught the " way of life " — 
 a regular day for their preaching. In this, again, the 
 noble and exalted character of Henry Lee was brought 
 out — he preached to them. They assembled in the grove, 
 or, if the weather was cold, in the house, where they 
 would listen with intense interest to the sermon and join 
 in singing the hymns, which were read line by line to 
 them. On this beautiful autumnal morning they were 
 to attend the usual monthly church service. The church 
 some distance off, they prepare to leave home early, so as 
 no undue haste to get to church in time is thought of; 
 not like some of the descendants of those simple, devout 
 people, who wait till the last moment and rush into 
 church with the manner of people who imagine they are 
 conferring a favor on the minister and congregation for 
 coming at all. Dear old church ! thy crumbling walls 
 are associated with the noblest and purest of the past; 
 shall they cease to be remembered? Nay, verily; let us 
 honor and cherish them. The subject of this Sabbath's 
 discourse is on forgiveness — " Forgive us our debts as we 
 forgive our debtors." Sublime theme, wonderful indeed 
 for fallen man. Henry Lee does so plainly and truly 
 point out our duty to our fellow-men that in the congre- 
 
 [26] 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 27 
 
 gration one woman, a lovely and much admired person, 
 feels the truth so sensibly that she went to her home, 
 wrote a lenghty letter, and sent to him a handsome me- 
 mento, saying she felt more impressed than ever in her 
 life before, and saw her duty in a very different light. 
 This country congregation was a highly refined and cul- 
 tivated people. Mr. L., our Yankee friend, is not made 
 to feel uncomfortable by the vulgar stare of curiosity ; in 
 a position to enjoy the sermon and feel at ease. Many 
 lovely and beautiful girls gathered at these services, and 
 to-day Mr. L. is much attracted by the sweet face and 
 fine form of Mary Carr, whose intelligence and attrac- 
 tive manners had won her many friends and ardent ad- 
 mirers. They in after years became friends, and only a 
 trivial circumstance prevented their marriage. She, de- 
 voted to his memory, never married, and the last ever 
 heard of him he, too, was single. How happy they 
 might have been but for a false prejudice. Peace to them 
 and bliss hereafter. 
 
 A Sunday Presbyterian dinner fifty years ago was far 
 from being as the modern Sunday dinner. Cold meats, 
 bread, and only in winter hot coffee or tea, was to be seen 
 on our tables ; or whatever we had in the way of des- 
 serts was cold, and how enjoyable we found such dinners. 
 They were the rule, not exception. The family at Lee 
 Hall, on these days, dispersed to their different rooms 
 for reading and meditation till the hour for the childrens' 
 catechism, which was to be prepared for the next Sab- 
 bath. Then the service for the colored people, who al- 
 ways came promptly at the appointed hour neatly dressed 
 in their ' Sunday clothes " — for the women in summer 
 calico, and in winter a woolen-Linsey woven at home, 
 
28 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 far neater than what we now have in most country 
 stores ; the men in black or brown jeans woolen, also 
 made at home ; neat shoes, hats, and shawls, and often for 
 the men, especially those whose occupation caused ex- 
 posure, heavy home-woven overcoats. Raising large flocks 
 of sheep, plenty of wheels and looms made each house- 
 hold independent. After such services the more intel- 
 ligent ones were questioned as to what they could remem- 
 ber about the sermon. There was never a failure on the 
 part of two. of the most important men to repeat not 
 only the text, but large portions of the sermon, such won- 
 derful memory did they have. The center of attraction 
 was the woman of whom I have spoken, " Aunt Jenny, " 
 who was rolled in her chair when so bad off with rheu- 
 matism she could not walk, by taking the chair in front 
 and hobbling to her place. Her joy in being called on 
 for her expression of the truth was unbounded, her dark 
 countenance, lighted up with a beam of heavenly light 
 fresh from the altar of God's own love, could but be 
 impressed on all around her. And as she would be car- 
 ried to her own home, the group in her cabin listened 
 with awe and wonder to her words. The influence of 
 religion, refining arid elevating in its character, was here 
 so plainly visible that the enlightened and cultivated 
 lady or gentlemen were never caused to blush by any 
 coarse or unrefined language. Her house was a model of 
 neatness ; nice feather beds ; then the colored woman's 
 idea of bliss for a resting or sleeping bed, white coun- 
 terpaine and pillow cases, such as the white people used ; 
 chairs, table, and candlestand ; every thing so orderly 
 and clean, always and on every occasion. All her 
 wants supplied, and the affection she showed for her 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 29 
 
 mistress was beautiful to witness. This confidence re- 
 mained unshaken during their lives. To-day they walk 
 together the "streets of the city." Who knows with 
 what joy the humble servant greeted the coming of her 
 former mistress. The memory of such lives sheds a fra- 
 grance on the after years of all who are so fortunate as to 
 have experienced it, and such inheritance the richest 
 that can descend on children. Gold perishes ; riches take to 
 themselves wings and fly away. Not so with this legacy ; 
 this is of eternal duration. The pressure of to-day is too 
 great on us, and in some respects we are retrograding. 
 Are we as faithful to our duty as in the past ? We are 
 inclined to feel that we are " out of date," and fear to 
 impose our thoughts on this generation ; yet in many 
 things we are right in our judgment. Our friend Mr. L. 
 becomes much interested in the colored people on the 
 place, and his visits to " Aunt Jenny's" cabin are blessed 
 to himself as well as all who come under his instructions. 
 In one of his visits to the cabin to read and talk to this 
 child of God, he asked her to tell him of her early life, 
 and as the story is told to him we relate it : 
 
 AUNT JENNY'S STORY. 
 
 I was about ten years old, I suppose, when my old 
 master died. In his will he gave away to the different 
 children us colored people, in families; would not sepa- 
 rate us on account of so many of us being related. It fell 
 to my lot to belong to Miss Polly — a sweeter, purer 
 mortal never lived, as you know yourself, for she is my 
 old mistress in the house yonder to-day. She was young 
 and pretty, and many young men tried to marry her, but 
 she did not care to leave her mother all alone, as all the 
 
30 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 other children were married and settled off to themselves ; 
 but after a few years she went on a visit to a cousin in 
 one of the lower counties, and when she came back home 
 the neatest, nicest gentleman came with her, riding in 
 his fine gig, with a big bay horse, and his waitman, Jerry, 
 riding on another fine horse. I can remember all about 
 his first visit. We all could see Miss Polly fancied him. 
 He was one of the big statesmen, so they told us colored 
 ones, and had a fine plantation and heap of colored folks ; 
 so what better could she do, and in the course of a year 
 she married him and moved away, bringing me and all 
 my father's family — a big lot of us there was too — five 
 wagons to move us and our plunder, besides her things 
 in other wagons ; it was a sight to see the line of wagons 
 going on from day to day till we reached our journey's 
 end. It was just before dark when we got to our final stop, 
 and the big house was all lighted up, music and dancing 
 going on, for master and Miss Polly got there long time 
 before we did. After we had our supper — and a fine one it 
 was too, for tables were set out in the yard for the servants, 
 and it took a big lot to feed three hundred mouths ; you 
 may know all the nice things from the white folks' table 
 were sent out — cakes big and little, custard, pies, and 
 the barbecued pig, mutton, and every meat the country 
 knew about was on that table — marster said we had to 
 rejoice with him on bringing such a pretty bride into his 
 home. He was a widower, before he married our pretty 
 mistress, with one daughter, a pretty brown-eyed little 
 girl named Polly, too, as bright and sweet a little thing 
 as you ever saw, and just about the age of the little girl 
 at the house now. Well, we were as well treated, and 
 loved our white folks as any people could be. We would 
 
Virginia: Past and Present. 31 
 
 have died for our mistress. All of us looked up to her as 
 our best friend. Every day we had our work hours ; us 
 girls who stayed in the house always had one hour allowed 
 for each meal, and plenty time to play and romp did we 
 take. No overseer was allowed to come in the yard ; their 
 business was to look after the out-hands, and marster did 
 not allow overseers to whip his folks neither. Our colored 
 folks was known by everybody as " the stuck-up nig- 
 gers " from Pittsylvania county; we had seen so much 
 more of the world, and had better sense than they did, 
 for some of them did not know the way ten miles from 
 home, and we had travelled 500 miles to get here. We 
 were proud of what we had seen, and loved to talk about 
 crossing the big river in the boat, and how some folks 
 were drowned right where we crossed. 
 
 Son, see my old flax wheel in the corner there ? I begin 
 to feel like I would love to work as I did in that time ; so 
 long have my poor crippled hands been down with the 
 rheumatism that I can't use them as I once did, and my 
 wheel that was once so busy stands there like myself, 
 idle. If you could turn the wheel and ply the treadle as 
 I once did, it would sing you a happy, joyous song, sir ; 
 if it could tell its experience it would make you cry, for 
 it came, too, with us when we moved down here, and has 
 been with us in all our troubles and pleasures. When 
 mistress used it herself at the big house she was so happy 
 and light-hearted she did not know of the dark cloud 
 that was soon to overcast her home. Her full heart and 
 beaming eye would have shown a different way from 
 what it did. She was the life and light of the place. No 
 one ever heard her utter an unkind word or scold her 
 folks. Her husband was her pride, her heart's delight, and 
 
32 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 when he would have to go to the big city where they 
 make laws she would grieve, for it was so far from home 
 and she did not love to travel much. She would have her 
 friends to stay with her in his absence, and once when 
 she heard he was sick she had the gig hitched up and 
 travelled night and day to get to the boat in time. When 
 she got to him he was improving, and she stayed till they 
 could bring him home, He never got over the spell, and 
 her poor heart would grieve as she saw, day by day, how 
 he got weaker and weaker. He called to mistress one 
 day and told her to bring the little girls to his bedside. 
 He talked to the oldest, but the tiny baby could only gaze 
 at her father and smile. I was her nurse, and standing by 
 heard his charge to mistress about their little ones. Oh, 
 sir, I cried ; my white apron was so wet from wiping away 
 the tears that I had to pull it off to dry. I never can for- 
 get that day. It is a solemn thing, if you have never 
 passed through such times as these yourself, to stand on 
 the very borders of eternity. You can almost fancy you 
 see beyond and know where our friends are going. 
 David and Orange were called at master's request, and 
 those two old black men you see every day bowed down 
 to hear master's whisper as to what they should do after 
 he was gone. He made them promise they would never 
 leave mistress, but stand by her as long as she lived. 
 And oh, sir, black as we are, we would have suffered any- 
 thing before we would have broken our word to our good 
 master, who believed in us. 
 
 After this marster was too feeble to talk much, but 
 he said he wanted mistress to stay right beside him till 
 the breath left his body; said, " I want to die with my 
 arms around your neck." I can't help crying now when 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 33 
 
 I go over that sorrowful time, for us black folks did love 
 our. white people; we have always been well treated, 
 and have sense enough to know when we are well off. 
 Why, sir, you never hear of any of our black ones living 
 in the woods " runaways." We don't have to run from 
 home. Our folks don't believe in whipping their ser- 
 vants to make them do right. We have had teaching 
 and training since the oldest of us can remember. None 
 of our black people have to steal ; we have our own sup- 
 plies for every week in every house ; all of us have good 
 gardens, plenty of eggs, chickens, and fruit. We. hear 
 of other folks running off — can't live at home. Well, 
 home is the place for me. What would become of me, 
 poor and crippled up as I am, if it was not for our white 
 folks. Every morning my cup of hot coffee, buttered 
 roll, and whatever our white folks have on the breakfast 
 table, part is sent to me. The little children love to bring, 
 me things, and come and stay for hours with me to have 
 stories of old times, when their mama was a child and I 
 her nurse. After our marster died we all felt broke up, 
 and if our mistress had not been the good, sensible woman 
 she is, we all would have missed marster more ; but she 
 managed as near like he did as she could, and so when 
 our young mistress married and came so far down the 
 country, we had another break-up, and part of us followed 
 her ; some stayed with mistress at the old home till she 
 got ready to come to her daughter's home, where we have 
 all lived together for many years. We will not be parted 
 again, for mistress does not intend us to belong to any- 
 body else, but we are to have our freedom papers in her 
 will. She don't believe in the way some colored folks are 
 treated by their owners, and that is the reason she don't 
 3 
 
34 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 intend us to fall into other hands. You say the children 
 told you to get me to tell about the "stars falling." Oh ! 
 sir, it makes me almost tremble now when I think of that 
 morning. We used to get up soon to make fires, sweep, 
 and bring fresh water from the spring before the white 
 folks got up. Well, that morning some of the older peo- 
 ple woke sooner than common, and when Dave opened 
 the door to look out to see what time it was by the stars 
 he hallowed out loud as he could : " De stars is falling and 
 de great day is done come on us unawares." Then you 
 never did hear the like of the screaming, shouting, and 
 crying to the Lord to have mercy on our souls ; every one 
 running about the houses ; we were afraid to go out in 
 the yard for fear he would be hit and burnt up. After 
 a while one old man came to his senses and peeped out 
 of the door to see what was going on, and daylight was 
 dawning and only a few stars, now and then, falling ; so 
 we got over our scare and went and told the white folks. 
 They were so sorry we did not wake them all up to see 
 that awful sight. 
 
 After the old woman got through with her story 
 Mr. L. proposed to read her a chapter from his Bible, 
 which he usually carried in his pocket when walking 
 around the plantation. She gladly listened to his voice 
 as he read with much tenderness and beauty the story of 
 the " Prodigal Son." Her comments on this struck Mr. L. 
 with such force that he took them down in his note-book. 
 " Yes, we are all wanderers from our Father, and are try- 
 ing to find something to take the place of the true end 
 we should have in view ; but all at once we hear our 
 Master's voice calling to his wandering ones to ' come 
 home,' and he get up and fly away from the habits of 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 35 
 
 sin and the snares of the devil, and can't rest till we get 
 to the very foot of the cross, where our Lord meets us 
 and tells us to sin no more — to come to the arms of 
 love and mercy." Mr. L. prayed with this true and 
 ardent spirit, and felt he had indeed ministered in holy 
 things to the Lord's chosen one. A sweet feeling of 
 peace and gratitude filled his soul ; he had given the 
 "cup of cold water to one of these little ones." Mr. L. 
 felt impressed with the interview with this humble ser- 
 vant of God ; and how different the idea now in his mind 
 of the treatment of the " negro down South." Here in 
 this cabin was a woman who, though she could neither 
 read or write, used the language of an educated person ; 
 but he found to be true that where the owners were peo- 
 ple of refinement and education their servants were 
 trained and taught to use good language, and their man- 
 ners were astonishing to a " Down Easter," for people of 
 the great love of imitation they possessed copied the 
 manners of their own white people. This habit of imi- 
 tation was a wonderful means of knowledge to them, for 
 I have in perfect remembrance a servant girl who learned 
 to play and sing the pieces the girls learned at school, 
 and in this school there were girls who would pay her to 
 play over their pieces while they read or seated them- 
 selves in a comfortable easy-chair to loll a hot summer 
 afternoon. If the sound of footsteps were heard approach- 
 ing the music-room, our colored friend would spring with 
 the agility of a cat from the window. The feeling of de- 
 pendence on this girl was so great that the girls would 
 have her to assist in preparing their lessons. She was 
 wonderfully bright and intelligent, and so very much at- 
 tached to the school girls there was nothing she would 
 
36 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 not attempt to do for them. This is a true picture — one 
 of my own experience and not at all highly drawn. The 
 feeling that prevailed among our Northern friends that 
 there was nothing but the most abject fear entertained by 
 these people to their owners was a most mistaken one — 
 they were an affectionate and warm-hearted race, and their 
 conduct, when suddenly given their freedom, was such 
 as to command the admiration of the world. Think of 
 it ; a people who had never known anything else but servi- 
 tude, to be as it were freed from a cage of confinement and 
 launched out upon the broad expanse of freedom — a free- 
 dom which knows no bounds — instead of exulting and 
 taunting speeches to their former owners, the most re- 
 spectful manner and the same attention to their duties ; 
 they loved home and home people, and desired no new 
 thing in the way of friendship. 
 
 In his Virginia home Mr. L. found many things to oc- 
 cupy his leisure hours. The plantation life was new 
 and novel. He loved to walk or ride horseback, and the 
 afternoons were often spent in riding around the farm, 
 the hands at work, and the merry laughter heard, as they 
 would pull the corn and toss it in piles to be gathered up 
 by the wagons. Their light-hearted gayety at all times was 
 to him a matter of study. No care, no thought for the 
 future, bothered their unlettered minds. Food and rai- 
 ment provided, what else had they to worry over? The 
 " corn-shucking " time was a grand jubilee, and the shouts 
 and songs, as they would attract the attention of the 
 neighboring hands, calling them to the "shucking," could 
 be heard on the still autumn evening for more than a 
 mile. They would collect around the " big pile " in front 
 of the crib door, so as to throw in as they shucked it. 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 37 
 
 When the last ear was thrown in they would often have 
 a dance and big supper in honor of the final winding up, 
 and at one of these suppers Mr. L. was asked if he was 
 surprised and amused at the show of bacon and cabbage, 
 for the hour was ten at night, beside this a variety of 
 meats, shoat, opossum, and plenty of sweet potatoes and 
 cider. They were extremely polite and respectful to the 
 white people who would come out to witness the festivi- 
 ties, and the best the table afforded was first offered them, 
 which, if accepted, was a source of pride and pleasure. 
 This was a new feature of their character to Mr. L., who 
 could but believe in their contented and happy life. No 
 cares for the future to bother or annoy, and peaceable 
 among themselves, it was a rare thing to hear of disputes 
 and quarrels among them, far more so than since they 
 have been freed. There is a spirit of envy and jealousy 
 that it seems impossible to eradicate if one has more of 
 this world's goods than the other, and they are prone to 
 take advantage of each other. The courts are often 
 flooded with the complaints of the freedman against his 
 brother. It is a mark of distinction with some of them 
 to have a "case in court." 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 My intention is not to write much of a Love story just 
 here; but as in a former chapter I mentioned the interest 
 Mr. L. seemed to feel in Mary Carr, I will not pass this por- 
 tion of his life unnoticed. On one Friday afternoon after 
 the duties of the week were over he set out for the home 
 of Mrs. C, some distance off in the country, and a pleas- 
 ant ride of three hours brings him to " Wood End," a 
 modest cottage of six rooms situated in a lovely grove of 
 fine oaks, where, about this hour of the evening, the fam- 
 ily were usually walking in the grove or riding. On this 
 occasion they were in the garden, where were blooming 
 a few late roses, and Mary Carr was gathering these for 
 the vases. She blushed as he entered the garden, so un- 
 expected was his appearance. He also blushed at seeing 
 her confused, approached, and offered his hand, which 
 she shook warmly, and invited him to be seated in the 
 summer-house, while she should gather up her flowers. 
 He declined with thanks the invitation to be seated, and 
 offered to aid her in taking her roses to the house. Ah, 
 the same old story of love (which will live as long as our 
 hearts can feel that sweet emotion) is told as the roses are 
 arranged in the vases, and each feels that in the other 
 they can confide. No idea of the objection of her mother 
 presents itself to the pure and dutiful girl. Loving her mo- 
 ther with a singular devotion, nothing could enter her 
 mind that should not be sanctioned by her mother, who 
 was a type of the Virginia matron of that day, one whom 
 all loved to honor, and in her conversation every one in- 
 
 [38] 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 39 
 
 terested. Highly cultured, and with a mind superior to al- 
 most any other of her sex, she was well fitted to train and 
 educate her children, which she had undertaken to do at 
 home. Of one of the oldest and best families in the State, 
 she was an acknowledged belle. Her beauty was fasci- 
 nating, but far above the loveliness of face and form 
 shone the attractive mind ; of the finest and most engaging 
 manner, all delighted to be called her friends. Her house 
 was the abode of peace and gentleness — the very atmos- 
 phere was different, so much was her life devoted to kind 
 deeds, and her crown will shine, too, with the souls 
 born to the truth by her precept and example. Her life 
 was deeply religious. An incident of her early youth was 
 never forgotten — the narrow escape from losing her life 
 in the Theatre, which was destroyed by fire in 1811, at 
 which time so much of the beauty and chivalry of Rich- 
 mond found fiery graves. Her heart was seriously im- 
 pressed, and the vanities and gayeties of the world were 
 given up, and the beginning of a Christian life entered 
 upon at once. Dr. John H. Rice, of sainted memory, was 
 the pastor of the church she attended, and she held with 
 him important converse, which resulted in her becoming 
 a member of his church. I have spoken of her beauty 
 and attractiveness ; many were her admirers, and she be- 
 came very much attached to a young foreigner, handsome 
 and witty, with no religious faith. They were wed, and 
 her house in Richmond city was the center of attraction 
 for the gay and fashionable throng of the day. Her 
 finely cultivated mind, filled with rich stores of knowl- 
 edge, could draw from any company of brilliant people 
 admiration and pleasure. On uniting with the church 
 she resolved to give up her worldly Hfe, and here again 
 
40 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 her character comes out in its loveliest light. Her 
 heart and mind were united in the resolution to set the 
 example of holiness to her gay and thoughtless friends. 
 It was not with her, as with many, a slow case of re- 
 nouncing the world and worldly things, but the heart 
 being right, an easy matter it was to change at once her 
 mode of life ; and now again her influence was blessed. 
 Eternity alone will reveal the good her godly life, saintly 
 conversation, and tender chiding exerted on her associates. 
 The sigh will escape as I remember this lovely and beau- 
 tiful life, although more than four-score passed away all 
 too soon. Dear old Wood End ! The grand old oaks we 
 all left to mark the spot where once you stood, they stand 
 like silent sentinels, casting their shadows over the sacred 
 spot where once mingled many of the best of Virginia's 
 sons and daughters. 
 
 The inheritance is a noble one, and should be cherished 
 as such, and descend to future generations. We are too 
 much the people of to-day ; the race for wealth has 
 blunted much that we might have encouraged. Let our 
 children know that Virginia hospitality means not the 
 extravagant abundance we may be able to afford, but 
 that which makes each one feel a welcome guest and 
 comfortable and happy under our roof. We have always 
 been noted for our attention to the " stranger in the gate." 
 True, we of to-day have advantages our grandparents had 
 not; yet, are we better than they? Are we striving after 
 knowledge? Are we filled with kind and charitable 
 feelings ? If called on for my own experience, I could not 
 say that we are superior. They have all passed away, but 
 their memory is embalmed in the hearts of those so for- 
 tunate as to have been trained by such exalted and pure 
 
Virginia: Past and Present. 41 
 
 lives. In this quiet country cottage often assembled dis- 
 tinguished men — D. D.'s in the Presbyterian Church, 
 Episcopal bishops who, with their brilliant intellect and 
 unpretending manner, attracted the little child as well as 
 the older heads. The Great Day alone will reveal the 
 good done by the " elect lady " of that hallowed spot ; 
 her sympathy with the poor, the bereaved and afflicted 
 one ; her generous acts of kindness to those in need ; her 
 earnest words of entreaty to the ignorant and misguided, 
 trying to lead them in the right way ; that influence can 
 never be lost — it lives and will live. The strict attention 
 to her slaves, their religious training, and the conscien- 
 tious discharge of every duty owed them, was faithfully 
 fulfilled. They call her " blessed," and who shall say 
 the number of souls won for Christ by this earnest Chris- 
 tian woman. Among the lowly blacks on her own farm — 
 on others, also — wherever she went she lost no oppor- 
 tunity of doing good? Do we of to-day seek the means 
 of benefiting those around us? Are we endeavoring to 
 raise and elevate our colored friends? There is much we 
 owe them, and if only this were our motive, to aid them, 
 we should be up and at work. But a far greater respon- 
 sibility rests on us : they are here for us to help forward. 
 " Onward and upward." Let us to this end strain every 
 nerve, so that we be not "found wanting" in this great 
 and laudable endeavor. True, in many instances they 
 think our help is now unneeded ; but wherever they have 
 felt the tie of former years, they are easily led and thank- 
 fully appreciate every effort they believe to be sincere. 
 The example of our fathers and mothers should be revered, 
 and we should follow their footsteps in this line of raising 
 those who were placed under our care, and sustaining 
 
42 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 them in the right. The dews of Heaven have for years 
 fallen on the resting-places of those who taught us our 
 duty to " our brothers in black," but the seeds sown are 
 bringing forth fruit, and will continue to flourish as long 
 as the race exists, for no good can die — it is immortal. 
 " Train up a child in the way he should go." The prom- 
 ise remains the same. Wherever they have had the proper 
 home instruction and example their lives show it. The 
 Sabbath regulation and exercises are remembered and 
 revered — that day called "The Holy of the Lord, Hon- 
 orable." Ah ! how differently spent in this progressive 
 age. I had rather be the means of arousing our people 
 to a right sense of our obligation in this respect than to 
 have " stores of wealth." When I look back and see 
 those who were observant of the day now honored men 
 and women, and those who disregarded its holy hours not 
 among the prosperous, it cannot be considered remark- 
 able that I desire our youth to honor the old paths. Cast 
 no sneer on them, for they are safe because right. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Time flies, and the years pass so speedily we are old 
 and gray-haired before we realize it. Our Yankee school 
 teacher, who so truly loved and was beloved by the sweet 
 and lovely Mary Carr, finds his suit not approved by the 
 aristocratic mother ; so their fond hopes were blasted, 
 and his attention centered more than ever on his studies. 
 The children of Henry Lee, who had been his pupils for 
 years, were now ready to enter college, and his term of 
 service having expired, he returned to his Northern home. 
 His life had been a means of great usefulness with the 
 youth under his tuition ; of a superior mind, he could at- 
 tract them, and at times there was an awful solemnity 
 about his manner, which caused the younger children to 
 dread his disapproval ; a life pure and untarnished was 
 his, the object of which was to be of benefit to all with 
 whom he came in contact. The day he bade farewell to 
 his Virginia friends was a sad one ; tears flowed freely 
 from the eyes of the family to whom he had become so 
 dear, and the colored people all came up to " shake hands " 
 with " Mr. Lyman " before he left. To his Northern 
 home and friends he carried a far different account of 
 " Life in the South " from what they had been taught to 
 believe was real. We of the South have almost as great 
 a responsibility resting on us as in the days of slavery, 
 and most earnestly and prayerfully should we strive to 
 act up to our duty. 
 
 Their religious education, especially, needs our atten- 
 tion and earnest efforts to advance and improve their 
 
 [43] 
 
44 
 
 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 ideas ; though where they have had collegiate advantages 
 their improvement has been marked, yet in many the 
 old superstitions still linger, as to "sight-seeing." When 
 " brought through," as they call conversion, one old darky 
 sister told her former mistress that she visited the " lower 
 regions." When asked if she saw any of her friends there, 
 she seemed delighted to say she did ; and among the 
 number a white man she had known. She was asked 
 what he was engaged in. Her reply was: "The last time I 
 see him he was stirring a pot of greens " ; so to her mind 
 the situation was not so serious. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The years flit by all too swiftly, and those who were 
 taught by Mr. Lyman are now grown men and women, 
 all engaged in life's duties. The honorable profession of 
 law claimed several of his students ; some the practice 
 of medicine ; few of them turned their attention to " till- 
 ing the soil," while the girls grow up and become use- 
 ful women. The year 1859 was a glorious one for us; 
 our barns " filled with plenty " and coffers " running 
 over." What need for more? Yet in the distance are 
 heard the mutterings of the thunder of discord which is 
 to continue till our once peaceful and happy land be- 
 comes the scene of a war between the States too terri- 
 ble to contemplate, and when in the autumn of that year 
 John Brown made his famous raid, " the gauntlet was 
 thrown down," and henceforth the strife. The cooler and 
 more sober-minded, those who knew what such a conflict 
 meant, deplored the state of affairs. Their wish and desire 
 was for harmony and peace; that our troubles and diffi- 
 culties be settled by our own government, without a dis- 
 solution of our grand and glorious union ; but those who 
 knew not the meaning of such a cause, heated with anger 
 and malice, resolved on taking the reins of government 
 into their own hands and withdraw from the honored 
 confederation of States, to establish which had cost us 
 years of war and hardships. Every schoolboy can relate 
 of Washington's campaign. 
 
 The year i860 dawned as peacefully and quietly as a 
 Sabbath morning, but early during that year heated po- 
 litical discussions took place over the country North 
 
 [45j 
 
46 Virginia : Past and Present, 
 
 and South ; the time was fast approaching when our 
 "songs of joy " should be turned to grief, and the happy- 
 reunions of friends only remembered as a "dream of the 
 past." Our nearest and dearest severed from us by dif- 
 ferences of opinion as to our rights, the relentless " hand 
 of fate " has ever been busy wounding and causing to 
 bleed some heart, for some who knew not what was best. 
 The union had existed long enough, and for both sides a 
 dissolution would be wise. The warm-hearted patriot 
 shuddered at such utterance, and thought those ideas 
 should be crushed at once, but not so ; they grew in num- 
 bers too rapidly to be easily suppressed. Ah, could the 
 carnage have been " seen from afar " the sufferings of 
 noble men and women might have been avoided. We 
 were too self-reliant, u our peace had flown like a river." 
 We could not believe our glorious country could ever be 
 the battle-ground of her own children — brother against 
 brother, father against son. The last election held before 
 the war, was a most exciting one, the hearts of all true 
 men and women were filled with dread, none more so 
 than Henry Lee, whose ancestors had fought during the 
 Revolution, and he himself later. Can we wonder at the 
 spirit of indignation that filled his mind when on all 
 sides he heard the boastful words of the " fire-eating " 
 element, that " this accursed union," as it was called, 
 should be severed in twain? We were a happy, pros- 
 perous people ; our " flag " honored by all nations. Were 
 we becoming too proud, too full of our own greatness, 
 that this " cruel four years' war " was all that could hum- 
 ble us into the dust of contrition ? With what keen anx- 
 iety the mind of this true patriot scanned the future ; to 
 the best interests of his country was he devoted. He did 
 
Virginia: Past and -Present. 47 
 
 not believe there could be found a force large enough to 
 break down our solid walls of union and strength, for 
 where there is union is it not mighty enough to overcome 
 difficulties ! The time had come to " try men's souls " ; 
 the days passed wearily by, and the papers, filled with ex- 
 citing speeches from both political parties, were read 
 eagerly in all portions. The wise, conservative heads were 
 shaken as they read and predicted what the future should 
 bring. Were we to plunge headlong into a " dissolution 
 of the union " ? Our annual season of rejoicing, that sea- 
 son which celebrates the "glad tidings of great joy," was 
 approaching, and we prepared as usual for our festivals, 
 dinings, teas, etc. Ah, could we have known it was 
 the last many of us would ever spend together, how dif- 
 ferent would have been the scene ; instead of merry, light- 
 hearted conversation and peals of joyous laughter, the 
 sigh and tear. A merciful Providence saves us many 
 pangs by withholding from our vision the dark and heart- 
 rending scenes through which our pilgrimage lies. At 
 the home of Henry Lee, on this eventful season, were as- 
 sembled as gay and thoughtless a party as ever met. 
 Young men just home from college — in their own estima- 
 tion wise politicians — could grasp the future with swift 
 vision ; girls home for the holidays — all are discussing the 
 probability of war as if only a merry pastime. One 
 young lawyer of unusual brilliancy declared he would 
 never stop till he planted his flag on the Capitol at Wash- 
 ington. The writer of these pages assured him he would 
 never do so, yet he really believed, as did many others, 
 it was to be the work of a short time. This joyous day 
 was rapidly closing, the carriages were being driven to 
 the front door as the " good-byes " were being said. An 
 
48 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 old clock that had been for years silent and useless com- 
 menced tolling slowly and solemnly. The gay throng of 
 thoughtless young people suddenly paused. Was this omi- 
 nous? Were the warning spirits telling us this was a 
 final " good-bye" to most of that happy group? What- 
 ever it was, it had its effect ; the sounds of merriment 
 were hushed, and softly, sadly each bade the other fare- 
 well, 
 
 " Never to blend in victory's cheer, 
 To aid in hour* of woe ; 
 
 'Tis thus bright spirits mingle here, 
 Such ties are formed below." 
 
 This was not the last intimation given us that evening. 
 As we discussed the singular circumstance of the striking 
 the solemn numbers, we were startled by the sound of 
 three sharp, decisive strokes, as from a powerful hand, 
 on the outside of the second story of the building. We 
 gazed at each other .in consternation. Whence came this 
 ominous sound ? For what intent ? Ah, the long years 
 of weary waiting for the loved " that never comes back 
 again," told us at last. There are mysterious things we 
 cannot unravel. They fill us with a desire to peep into 
 the unknown, which it is hard for us to believe we are 
 blessed by being ignorant of. The cloud that hides from our 
 view the future is one of the most merciful of our Loving 
 Father. What if we could have seen the bleeding and 
 torn forms on the cruel battle-fields of the next four years ? 
 Our noblest, bravest, and best? Who could have stood 
 the shock ? 
 
 Winter gradually merged into spring. The newspa- 
 pers at this time filled with views of the benefits of Se- 
 cession ; its glorious accompaniments of freedom and 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 49 
 
 prosperity. The conservative element shuddered at such 
 views with an awful quake of coming dread. What 
 were we to gain ? Had we not the most glorious gov- 
 ernment on the globe — the admiration and envy of all 
 nations? Why dissolve a bond that brought us nothing 
 but good? Why cast aside our glorious Confederation 
 of States and float, we know not into what condition? 
 All was anxiety and suspense in our grand old Mother 
 State. Each resolved, be her decision what it might, to 
 accept it as her children should, but praying and hoping 
 she would "count the cost" before making her choice. 
 Henry Lee, who had always been true to the best inter- 
 ests of his native State, did not believe that within her 
 borders could be found enough of the disrupting politi- 
 cal group to bring about a change; but when the news of 
 the bombardment of Fort Sumter was heralded it sent a 
 pang into his noble heart that crushed all his hopes for a 
 peaceful solution of our troubles. The time hung heavily. 
 Suspense is awful ; and when our own loyal Mother, Vir- 
 ginia, resolved to secede from the Union, her noble sons 
 and daughters stood steadfast and true to her. These were 
 times that " tried men's souls." How many come out of 
 the furnace purified, eternity alone can reveal. It was a 
 lovely Sabbath morning ; a holy, peaceful solemnity 
 seemed to cast its beams over the quiet solitude of our 
 county home — when, hark ! What is that sound that 
 bursts on the ear? The firing of cannon is heard afar 
 off. The battle of Bethel is being fought. Being dis- 
 tant from the railroad, it is a day or two before the news 
 is broken to Henry Lee. His once calm and dignified 
 countenance changes to one of gloom and unrest. He 
 was never the same again. Though patient and unmur- 
 4 
 
50 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 muring, his heart was bleeding, and the strain was too 
 great long to be borne. There were some who were so 
 cruel and false-hearted as to declare that this noble scion, 
 of as true stock as ever stood up for our country's rights, 
 was disloyal to our Confederacy, and even went so far as 
 to say they would appoint a committee to confer with 
 him and advise him to leave Virginia's soil. Heaven 
 called him to his blissful reward before such cruel threat 
 could be put into execution. He peacefully sleeps where 
 the roar of artillery can never more disturb, and the 
 tongue of venom no more assail. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 1862 — was an eventful year with us. It seemed we 
 were realizing now what war, with all i + s accompanying 
 evils, meant. Shut in by the blockade, many were the 
 privations endured by those who had known nothing but 
 luxury. Rye coffee, with parched sweet potatoes, was a 
 poor substitute for Mocha, but such was the spirit of self- 
 denial among our people we were willing to give up 
 everything for the purpose of aiding and assisting those 
 who were defending our homes. Our coffee was sent to 
 our soldiers. We drank " kettle tea," as hot water poured 
 on sweet milk is called. Some things we never lacked 
 for. Among these rice and sugar ; the supply was 
 always equal to the demand. Here we saw the hand 
 of our Merciful Father, for the " feeble of the flock " 
 would have suffered without these necessaries. 
 
 The bloody fights that took from our firesides that 
 summer our brave boys in gray had bowed our heads, 
 and crushed our hearts. The widow's story and the bride- 
 groom of a few hours, who would not desert his post, 
 even for the lovely girl he had just pledged his troth to 
 " live together till death do us part," could not be induced 
 to apply for a furlough if only for a few days ; alas, never 
 to return did numbers of these go forth. When in the 
 winter of that year, so many were the difficulties under 
 which we labored, that strong men's hearts failed them 
 for fear that the end was yet far off. Determination, 
 courage, and endurance such as the world never saw 
 filled the breasts of our noble ones. Manfully, gloriously 
 
 [51] 
 
52 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 did they stand up, forgetful of self. ' " Duty," the watch- 
 word of our legion ; none ever faltered, though torn and 
 bleeding he pressed forward, while the life-blood was 
 ebbing away, and fell covered with honor, and the cruel 
 scars that were hurriedly hidden in the quickly-prepared 
 grave — often even unmarked. Yet Heaven knows where 
 they lie, and the soft light of the stars keep watch over 
 their sleeping forms till the glorious morning when the 
 hallowed dust shall awake and assume a garb far more 
 beautiful than the one consigned to this lonely, isolated 
 spot on the dusty wayside, the wounds all healed, the 
 noble brow glorious with the light of immortality, all 
 weariness of marching forgotten, no listening for the 
 bugle sound calling them from feverish slumbers to haste 
 and prepare for battle. 
 
 Eagerly we gathered at the little country post-office to 
 await the coming of the daily mail bringing us news from 
 our loved ones. The hallowed Christmastide was ap- 
 proaching, and we felt there was little to spare, prepar- 
 ing for a celebration of that holy season. Our absent 
 ones must be remembered, and we did set to work fixing 
 up boxes of eatables to send to the army. These boxes 
 were sent moistened by our tears and consecrated by our 
 prayers. They were the last " many of our boys " ever 
 opened. Disease that the cruel hardships incident on 
 war had brought on our fragile youth claimed its scores, 
 and ere the springtime they were laid to rest, not many 
 of them " under the daisies," though now their graves 
 are green and adorned with the fairest flowers that 
 loving hands can bring on " Decoration Day." Eighteen 
 hundred and sixty-three opened with the heavy cloud of 
 battle, through which no ray of hope could be discerned ; 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 53 
 
 no time for mirth or festivities with those whose hearts 
 were in our camps or battle-fields, where, on scanty fare, 
 our loved ones were passing the cold wintry day and 
 cheerless night. Winter was slowly passing away, and 
 the soft, balmy breezes of our beloved Southland fanned 
 the fevered brow of the unmurmuring sufferer on his cot 
 in the hospital, where gentle woman watched, ministering 
 to their wants. Was ever such courage, or did braver heart 
 ever beat than that encased often in the rough, bronzed 
 frame? A nobler spirit shone forth here than that which 
 had dared the deadly shot of the bloody battle-field. The 
 lovely month of May was greeted with joy only by the 
 thoughtless, innocent child. Our armies were encom- 
 passed by foes within and without; the beautiful sun- 
 shine and gay blossom of the flowers awaked no chord 
 of joy in our too gloomy hearts, and when the news of 
 Jackson's fall, wounded by the hand that would have fallen 
 palsied ere sending forth that shot, our senses were para- 
 lyzed for the time. Our brave, our glorious leader, Stone- 
 wall Jackson, no more! Could it be true? Ah! how 
 we hoped to hear the report contradicted — " hoping 
 against hope " — and the next tidings brought us told of 
 his translation to the " home above." He had " passed 
 over the river and rested under the shade of the trees." 
 His bright vision had caught sight of the glories awaiting 
 a life spent in the service of the " Great Captain," and 
 he longed for rest and quiet. With Jackson's death our 
 hopes were shattered. His earnest prayers, his blameless 
 life, and the influence such a life exerted, lost to our 
 soldiers, though the memory of that life will live for- 
 ever. We had grown to depend on Stonewall's prayers, 
 and believed that success would be ours. We never re- 
 
54 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 covered from this blow, and from that time the fate of 
 the Confederacy was sealed. When in July of that year 
 the awful battle of Gettysburg routed our armies, the 
 vast numbers of our best men slain, and scores wounded, 
 how we wept and prayed for the end of such carnage. 
 It came not according to our wish and desire, yet we were 
 to be tried, and torn and bleeding forms yet to be 
 brought home to linger and die. Ah, if we could have 
 foreseen all this, would we have hastily entered a conflict 
 that was to tear from our firesides the widow's hope and 
 to walk the weary road of life alone with our little ones, 
 helpless and hungry. 
 
 The months dragged along. We who went to the hos- 
 pitals to care for our wounded and dying ones were re- 
 warded by the sweet consciousness of " doing our duty," 
 and the sad lot fell on many of us of writing the last 
 messages home for our brave boys who accepted " the in- 
 evitable," as the mighty warrior, and was willing to lie 
 down, far away from home and kindred, rejoicing in the 
 hope of a happy and blissful reunion. The tear will flow 
 as these scenes are recalled. Happy are those who know 
 not of such heart pangs and bereavements. 
 
 1864 — the bells rang in. Was the tone unusually sad, 
 or was it only a freak of fancy that, instead of a joyous 
 ring, it was a solemn toll? It cast its shadow over our 
 expectant minds ; it could not be shaken off. A gloom, 
 settled and heavy, overshadowed all our land. Want be- 
 gan to come into houses that hitherto had never known 
 the meaning of the word, so far as they were concerned. 
 Shoes at $50 and $75 a pair, even if of Confederate 
 money, counted up ; hats at $75 and $100, and calico at 
 $35 per yard seemed to be taking away our all. Yet we 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 55 
 
 managed to live and learn how sublime a thing it is to 
 " suffer and be strong." 
 
 Our faithful servants entered into the feelings of their 
 owners, and as times grew harder helped to relieve us in 
 every way they could. The family at " Lee Hall," the 
 home of Henry Lee, of now sainted memory, suffered 
 much from the different raids sent across the country for 
 horses, provisions, and whatever could be gathered, being 
 in the regular line of march to headquarters. Here the 
 house-servants saved us much that would have been lost 
 but for their vigilance, as the news of the " coming of the 
 Yankees " reached them before it did the white people. 
 The noble and devoted servant " Davy Lee " (as he called 
 himself in the home of his master) hastily hid the bacon 
 that would have been taken from the smokehouse, and 
 gathered up what articles he could of value, secreting 
 them in the orchard so that they were not found. Then, 
 in accordance with the promise made his dying master, 
 he kept close beside his beloved mistress, never leaving 
 the house, and treating the wild, disorderly horde with 
 the greatest respect, going with them into the different 
 apartments of the large mansion and begging them not 
 to deface the furniture. It must be mentioned with what 
 honor these same men treated the honored lady of this 
 establishment, who kept her seat in her own chamber the 
 whole of that eventful day, secretly praying to God, who 
 keeps in "His pavilion those who trust in Him." No 
 word of profanity was uttered in her presence ; they were 
 struck with her dignified bearing, her white locks were 
 respected, and as each one of the crowd would pass into 
 her room the hat was lifted or touched, with " Good- 
 morning, mother," from these reckless men. Such is the 
 
56 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 feeling in every breast for true woman among every race 
 and condition of men where civilization has reached 
 them. With the passing away from " Lee Hall " of this 
 raid went many relics, valued for years, and yet there 
 was so much left to be thankful for that no word of re- 
 pining was uttered. All our fine horses and mules, except 
 the oldest one on the place, left with the raid ; he was 
 reserved for further duty, and after "the surrender" sold 
 for forty dollars — a good mule where there was none else. 
 Our black mammy died while there was so much else 
 to sorrow our lives, and to lose one so constant in her de- 
 votion to our household was a blow we could not sustain 
 just yet. She had been the friend and faithful adviser of 
 our early years ; kindness and affection prompted her 
 every action. How were we to get along without " mam- 
 my " ? We determined to show her the greatest mark of 
 respect we had in our power by having in our own house 
 her funeral services, thus honoring her memory. And 
 here I wish to speak of what occurred in another State of 
 the same kind. In Charleston one of the wealthiest citi- 
 zens followed to her last resting-place his black "mam- 
 my," who after all the family had left for places of safety 
 refused to leave the one she had cared for in infancy. 
 The funeral was conducted by one of the most prominent 
 ministers in the city. In his suit of black, with bowed 
 head, on a bleak winter day, he followed to the outskirts 
 of the city the remains of his faithful friend and loving 
 servant, who, in spite of all the dangers surrounding her, 
 had clung to him. What a commentary on the slave- 
 owner ! 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 "Time the Creator where our judgments err" has 
 changed the opinion of many who imagined that every 
 slave-owner was a tyrant. Heaven be praised for the 
 removal of that curse on our fair land. The summer 
 brought raid after raid to our homes, and the approach of 
 autumn found us in a pitiable plight — all the stock gone, 
 hogs slaughtered, cows too old to be of any use to the 
 army, being all, except a few stray pigs that had wisdom 
 enough to remain out of sight, were our dependence, and 
 yet we did not starve. Our fields, yet untouched by the 
 army, yielded us corn enough for bread ; wheat yet un- 
 ground in our granaries gave us promise of enough and 
 to spare for our poorer neighbors. We were united as 
 to our duty to those worse off than ourselves. The hand 
 of charity supplied the houses of the poorer classes, as 
 in our halcyon days of prosperity. We had never known 
 else than liberality, and it is a hard lesson for a true Vir- 
 ginian to learn, that self comes first, our poverty-stricken 
 neighbors after we are served. 
 
 Winter came, with its bleak winds and sleety weather, 
 disaster after disaster coming on us so thick and fast we 
 trembled as we thought of the final ending of all this 
 misery. God is merciful ; He saw how our heart-strings 
 were wrung ; the burden had been borne long enough, 
 the " night of weeping " almost ended. The news of the 
 fall of Richmond was a trial unlooked for just then, yet 
 it showed us what we could endure, as day after day we 
 
 [57] 
 
58 Virginia: Past and Present. 
 
 would listen to the booming of cannon and roar of artil- 
 lery, not knowing which of our beloved ones were fall- 
 ing or taken prisoners, a fate to many more horrible than 
 death. But when, on April 9th, our indomitable leader 
 and noble champion, General R. E. Lee, determined to 
 accept the wisest course for our stricken people, we were 
 satisfied he had been for us what Moses was to the chil- 
 dren of Israel in leading us through the four years' war, 
 uncomplaining of the hardships endured by his exalted 
 nature, showing a courage and endurance superior to any 
 the world can boast. Could we believe he would accept 
 or us aught but right? Nay ; verily we were confident of 
 the wisdom of his counsels and trusted in his decision. 
 
 Our troubles did not end with the laying down of arms, 
 for ere the news of the surrender was received in all por- 
 tions of our country, with bowed heads and bursting 
 hearts on one side, and songs of exultation and rejoicing 
 on the other side of Mason and Dixon's line, the awful 
 tragedy at Washington, when the shot of the assassin de- 
 prived our land of one of its greatest and best, Abraham 
 Lincoln, it seemed our cup of grief was too full for 
 poor frail, humanity. That shot deprived us of our hope 
 for the time. His great heart and broad mind, above the 
 petty prejudices of life, beat only in tenderness towards 
 his fellow-men, or devised means to aid and help. For 
 us of the South it was the worst blow that could have 
 fallen. How he would have grieved over the record of 
 the next few months could his vision have scanned the 
 future, when, without shadow of reason, innocent men 
 and women were strung up and executed with no show 
 of mercy. How his sensitive heart would have grieved 
 at the sight of such lawlessness in a land whose gates 
 
Virginia: Past and Present. 59 
 
 are open to the oppressed of all nations. Such is the in- 
 evitable consequence of civil war. Our clear-headed, 
 wise patriots, who scanned the end of such a conflict, 
 would have averted the bloody carnage had their wise 
 counsels been heeded ; but God so willed it, that for our 
 sins we should suffer. Too exalted in our own minds, the 
 rod of correction only could humble us. The capture of 
 our chieftain, Jefferson Davis, and the ignominous torture 
 to which he was subjected, will long remain a blot on the 
 fair page of American history. He was as conscious of 
 being in the discharge of his duty as was Abraham 
 Lincoln ; the difference was their own ideas of right- 
 Time has wonderfully softened us, and we can see now, 
 as we could not then, that as well for us as them " God 
 did best" in permitting fiery trials to prove us, that we 
 might come forth from the " furnace of affliction" refined. 
 The horrible blot of slavery forever removed from our 
 borders, how much to thank God for in this. 
 
 The change to many was a terrible ordeal to endure. 
 The hardships of the southern kitchen, as it was when we 
 found ourselves deprived of help, was a lesson too many 
 of us shrank from. How could we do such drudgery ? 
 Stand over a hot stove in the heat of summer, steaming 
 our faces that the sun, in our earlier years, was not al- 
 lowed to touch too freely ; go into the gardens, gather 
 with the dews yet heavy on them our vegetables ; burn? 
 scorch, blister, and worry — all these things we had to en- 
 counter during the " days of reconstruction." And here 
 we were hard to construct. Our lot appeared a cruel one, 
 yet bravely did we strive to stand the privations inflicted 
 on us during those days. We of Virginia had not so 
 hard a time as our more distant southern sisters. Many 
 
60 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 of our best cooks remained in the country, and numbers 
 did not leave the homes they had known all their lives- 
 We who were fortunate enough to have such adherents 
 were truly thankful. Many of the colored population 
 could not realize they were free unless they left the old 
 homes and "set up for themselves," but the year of "the 
 -surrender" has a most eventful one, and the "gradual 
 taking in of the situation " was a thing hardly to be 
 looked for; yet the faithful host that had so long borne 
 the thraldom of slavery were easily influenced, and where 
 the proper mode of acting was advised under the new 
 role they easily acquiesced. No revengeful feeling filled 
 their breasts only the grand idea of being " free " pos- 
 sessed their patient minds ; no more midnight task im- 
 posed on frames already wearied with the day's work ; 
 no fear of oversleeping, so as not to heed the call to the 
 daylight task ; no fear of the lash of the cruel over- 
 seer, brutal in his nature and unrelenting in his feel- 
 ings. Can we wonder at the glad song that welled 
 forth from their throats, so long in bondage, when the 
 knowledge that all these evils were forever removed 
 was announced to their listening ears and longing 
 hearts? Had they not dreamed that the night was 
 wearing away, and the day-dawn of freedom approach- 
 ing — the hope of years, the " desire of their souls to be ac- 
 complished"? Thank Heaven, their shackles are re- 
 moved — their rights the same as ours. Citizens, instead of 
 servants. Their voice at the ballot-box, and in conven- 
 tions, cast side by side with our own. Alas ! that so often 
 they are persuaded to believe we are not their staunch 
 friends ; that our hearts do not yearn for their advance- 
 ment, morally and spiritually. Those of education and 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 61 
 
 intelligence believe that now. It was not an easy mat- 
 ter at first to think we were willing to adopt them as 
 friends of equal rights, under the one glorious govern- 
 ment. Suspicion lurked in their untutored minds. They 
 could not grasp the idea with its broad meaning. Some- 
 thing surely must be wanting to make this clear to their 
 comprehension. With all these disadvantages to contend 
 with, it has been slow work to be able to instill this be- 
 lief; but do not our efforts to educate and elevate them 
 prove the truth? Our colleges, in whose walls, made 
 sacred by many of our present lives, trying to make 
 amends for the evil of past years ; the enforcement of a 
 great curse on our land ; we must be, in a measure, re- 
 sponsible for the misguided judgment of our forefathers ; 
 and in our tasks of being a blessing to those whose lives 
 mingled with our own earlier years, we should not shrink, 
 but esteem it a grand privilege. Nay, " hand in hand " we 
 should rejoice to enter with them through the gates into 
 the City, " with garments made white by the blood of the 
 Lamb," shed for them as for us. Away with such ridic- 
 ulous notion as the author Ariel pretends to believe. Let 
 such ideas be left to the lower order of creation ; not man, 
 created in the image of God, and His noblest work, 
 should condescend to such a level. To elevate and im- 
 prove, to civilize, Christianize, and make happier by such 
 course, should be our one grand aim. Then, indeed, 
 might the awful blot so long resting on us be removed, 
 and its page be white with kindly acts and Christ-like 
 deeds. Onward and upward, higher and higher may 
 our standard be raised, and " our brother in black " be 
 made to forget the " days of slavery." 
 
 The first four years after the war were hard ones to 
 
62 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 most of our Southern farmers. With so much of our 
 best lands destroyed, no fencing, or any means of protec- 
 tion from stock, the farming was not of the old-time 
 mode. New ways must be invented, and wise heads 
 resorted to the " No Fence Law." Then we could 
 begin to see our wasted fields begin to "rejoice and 
 blossom as the rose" ; our grasses covering the ground 
 made sacred by the tramp of the manly footstep now no 
 more to press its soil. Virginia ! the honor of all na- 
 tions. Where dwells the heart that can but beat in sym- 
 pathy with thy trials? The battle-ground of the four 
 years' war ! Where are the people who could have so 
 soon recovered from the shock? With hand on the 
 plough-handle that never touched it before, our brave 
 and loyal sons went forth to till the soil, and rewarded 
 they have been, and honored they will be, by the future 
 sons and daughters of our beloved State. The luxurious 
 living and easy going lives of the years before the war, 
 forgotten in the desire and determination to build up the 
 houses destroyed and reclaim the waste plantations, toil 
 cheerfully endured, and the aristocratic man of former 
 years, whose matchless dress and courtly manner made 
 him a welcome guest in the mansion of wealth and a de- 
 sirable companion everywhere, is in his cotton shirt and 
 plough shoes, making the weary round of the long corn 
 rows with undaunted spirit, or dropping the tobacco 
 plants. At harvest time, with scythe in hand mowing the 
 wheat or hay, while the mower stands idle which there 
 are not hands to manage, our freedmen's bureau (a 
 terror to many for every trivial cause), in some portions 
 of the land resorted to. Reconstruction was of slow, 
 very slow progress. We of Virginia were favored above 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 63 
 
 our more Southern sisters, and there was less of discord 
 in our borders than in most of the States south of us. 
 We had tasted too severely of trouble and afflictions to 
 raise a murmur over slight causes and were not disposed 
 to quarrel, though we often felt our rights were ignored, 
 being yet under military rule. Time, however miserable 
 or joyous, flits by, and we were relieved of much that 
 was annoying to proud hearts by the final removal of 
 military authority from our borders, and allowed again 
 a voice in our own government. Happy those who came 
 on after all these "trials and tribulations," for the retro- 
 spect is not of a nature to wish to recall. The " carpet bag- 
 gers" were dreaded. The darkies sai'd, "they flew down 
 South and got their bags full and flopped their wings and 
 flew back North again." The promise of a fine mule 
 and forty acres of land they hoped for from the time the 
 war ended till reconstruction days were over, and finally 
 gave up with a better spirit than we might have exhibi- 
 ted had we longed and trusted to have our expectations 
 realized and suddenly disappointed, or even to have 
 lingered, hoping for years the final consummation of 
 these desires, to see them die out never to be resurrected. 
 It was hard to them, and it was surely a grave mistake 
 to hold out such ideas, knowing they could not be ful- 
 filled, for many of them, trusting so implicitly to these 
 promises, " rested on their oars " for months before they 
 could be induced to work at all, and then only by the 
 day, so as to keep from actual starvation. Those who 
 had sense enough to know that work was the wisest way 
 of obtaining a living, ridiculed the too credulous ones, 
 and would help them to live above want out of their own 
 means. It was not many years before they were willing 
 
64 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 to rent and work lands, on the shares, and in this way 
 many became independent and bought farms and stock 
 of their own. In many portions of the South to-day 
 they are prosperous farmers, many of them with money 
 to loan ; their cottages well furnished and neatly kept, 
 many posts of honor and trust filled by those who, only 
 since the surrender, have learned to read and write. A 
 cruel law that, forbidding such knowledge. Many of us 
 in Virginia, regardless of such mistaken ideas, taught 
 our servants to read and write, and had the gratification 
 of seeing them fill places of usefulness after the war was 
 over. My own maid (among the number) taught school, 
 and her manners were cultivated above the most sanguine 
 hopes I had entertained. She never forgot her training ; 
 was a model of propriety and gentleness ; her influence 
 beneficial in every community where she lived ; to do all 
 the good she could, with ardent affection for her " white 
 folks," as they called their former owners, and do yet. 
 There should never be among us aught but kindness and 
 harmony, even if there were no other cause than the tie 
 of former years. This of itself appeals to all the finer in- 
 stincts of our nature ; let us strive to place them on such 
 a platform of honor and knowledge as shall redound to 
 our own benefit. We can, and should, cheerfully do this. 
 Virginia seemed at this period to be leaving behind her 
 remembrance of the past, and, in putting forth every en- 
 ergy, to obliterate the marks of the destroyer ; new rail- 
 roads built, towns springing up in various portions of the 
 State, mining interests attracting the attention of the 
 capitalist, and the rough mountain country we had for 
 years passed through, not knowing of the immense stores 
 of wealth hidden deep down in the earth, bringing us in 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 65 
 
 stores of revenue never dreamed of in our wildest specu- 
 lation for the future ; nay, the path of the destroyer, of 
 which he boasted he " would leave it so poor a crow 
 would not fly over it," has sprung up into a valley of 
 beauty, the loveliness of which is unsurpassed ; its moun- 
 tains of strength shielding on all sides the flourishing vil- 
 lages where busy hands work from " morn till dewy 
 eve," satisfied that theirs is the happiest of all homes ; 
 abundant fields of wheat greet the eye, hay of the finest 
 growth, while peacefully on the hills the bleating of the 
 lambs and neighing of horses, beautiful in form and " fleet 
 of foot," give no token of the gloomy past ; nay, that 
 abyss is spanned by the " Bow of Promise," " brotherly 
 love " ; henceforth a nation united and strong as the rock 
 of Gibraltar in its union, no more the besom of discord 
 to divide those drawn together by such bonds. What 
 nation like ours on the globe? Of all peoples have not 
 we cause to rejoice in the strength and durability of 
 our Constitution? " Our Declaration of Independence" 
 to shine forth in all ages, proving the wisdom and faith 
 of its founders ; its base so broad and walls so high as to 
 render it impenetrable, the shot and shell of dissolution 
 to fall only as the mist falls or the snowflake on the river, 
 and in the cloudless sky of security and peace its lofty 
 head stands revealed, smiling in the sunshine of a Fath- 
 er's love. Blessed, thrice blessed, are we ; and should we 
 not as a nation honor and serve the Lord in keeping His 
 commandments? remembering the "Sabbath Day" to 
 keep it holy? that we may not only honor our Father in 
 Heaven, but become ourselves an honor among all na- 
 tions, and kindred, and tongues? 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 It is a sad fact that we have degenerated from the old- 
 time customs. Our grandfathers and mothers set us an 
 example worthy to be followed ; this we should have ad- 
 hered to instead of seeking out new paths and adopting 
 the fashionable custom of Sabbath breaking. The day 
 that was formerly spent as a holy day is now of all the 
 week in many localities a holiday. " Base-ball," " ten- 
 nis," and every known amusement indulged in in some 
 of our largest cities. This is an open thing, no fear of 
 being disturbed by an officer of the "Sunday law." 
 Open saloons, the " entrance gate" to the lower regions, 
 where yearly many of our noblest and honored are drawn 
 by cruel cords, irresistible, it seems, in its coils. The 
 brilliant and scholarly, that might adorn the first posi- 
 tions in the land, when once its fetters are established 
 become in intellect incapable of filling such places of 
 honor, and instead of carrying out the high hopes centered 
 in them by fond parents and true friends, descend to the 
 lowest depths of degradation and misery. Whiskey, the 
 curse of mankind in this favored land, has ever thus 
 claimed those who " might have been " mighty by their 
 learning and eloquence. Shun the wine cup, young man, 
 as you would the viper's dart. When once indulged in, 
 how hard to resist. Let it be our desire to leave behind 
 us a name unsullied by such reproach; a name whose 
 memory can call forth the love and admiration of our 
 fellow-men. 'Tis true 
 
 "Ambition is a meteor's gleam, 
 Fame a restless idle dream," 
 
 [66] 
 
Virginia: Past and Present. 67 
 
 but no walk in life is too narrow to keep down the fire of 
 genius if once its flame is enkindled in the human breast. 
 Consider the honest blacksmith, cultivated in learning by 
 his own studious efforts, even when striking the anvil 
 the lofty intellect busy, leaving a name long to be honored 
 and revered. The boatman, the ploughman, all stations 
 have had their noble men. God bestows on us talent ; 
 how wise those who cultivate and improve — those who 
 by constant, vigilant effort endeavors to attain success are 
 always rewarded. Strive for eminence ; don't be satis- 
 fied with an ordinary place. Desire and determination 
 accomplish much. 
 
 " Truth is stranger than fiction." Suppose Abraham 
 Lincoln, while mauling rails in the wilderness, by a glance 
 into the future could have seen the position he should one 
 day fill as the most honored our people can bestow on 
 her favored ones, would he have thrown down his ax, and, 
 seated on the log, have indulged in flights of fancy ? Nay ; 
 the principle of " duty " was so firmly implanted in his 
 breast, he would not have stopped his task to indulge in 
 such visions. By diligence and sturdy industry, he plod- 
 ded the weary road of daily labor, and when at last his 
 dream of ambition is fulfilled, how great must have been 
 the satisfaction felt by the knowledge of having done 
 his duty ; and, with a name untarnished, he sleeps the last 
 dreamless sleep, honored, revered and loved for a life spent 
 in the effort to benefit and make better all who came un- 
 der its influence. 
 
 "Oh, Time! beautifier of the dead, 
 Adorner of the ruin ; comforter 
 And only healer when the heart hath bled," 
 
 how much thou hast accomplished in wiping away the 
 scars and covering up the deficiencies of our judgments. 
 
68 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 The year 1870 was one of great grief to our beloved 
 State in the sudden taking away from his place of use- 
 fulness our beloved General R. E. Lee. A life spent in 
 the service of his country ; his arm lifted for her defence 
 in the hour of need ; his wise and prudent counsel ; his 
 unblemished^life of " kindly acts and knightly deeds " ; 
 above all, the example of his Christian life, the ennobling 
 influence over the youth and young men of Washington 
 College (now bearing his own immortal name), will live 
 after the war record of his life has faded away as the 
 mist from the mountain. That will shine through the 
 the ages yet to come. Thrice blessed they who have that 
 heritage which the wealth of Golconda cannot purchase. 
 Influence of character is immortal. A life unending is 
 theirs whose example of purity and loftiness is left un- 
 touched by aught that can tarnish. A noble, precious 
 legacy to our State is thus bequeathed by her honored 
 son ; and may it ever be remembered by her sons and 
 daughters, that they can claim a portion in the inherit- 
 ance bestowed on us by such a life ; our highest ambition 
 to copy that example. 
 
 The seat of his latest and best efforts is held in sacred 
 reverence, no hand worthy to touch that last held in his ; 
 no one dare remove from its position the articles placed 
 there by him. Step softly, and with bowed head, on such 
 hallowed spot. Thank God that Virginia has such a list 
 of names, which only grow brighter as time wings it 
 flight. That of Lee, side by side with Washington, will 
 emit its luster with a brighter and fairer glow, and de- 
 scend to future generations as pure and unsullied — hon- 
 ored, revered, beloved. Our State could ill afford to lose 
 her son. The eventful period succeeding the war had 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 69 
 
 been made less unbearable by the lesson of patience and 
 forbearance taught us by him. We we're for a time as a 
 vessel on the high seas, tossed and driven by cruel winds 
 and pitiless rains, our helmsman gone ; no hand to guide 
 us through the breakers. Dark and dismal the prospect 
 ahead of us ; yet the " light in the cloud " betokened the 
 better time coming, and harsh judgment and cruel words 
 became exchanged for kind feeling and less severity of judg- 
 ment. We were approaching a loftier plain, a more healthy 
 atmosphere, where mankind in his real character could en- 
 joy other sights and scenes than making his fellow mourn. 
 
 " Man's inhumanity to man 
 
 Makes countless thousands mourn." 
 
 We had suffered long and severely, but we were now 
 at the end of the trials and difficulties of the past few 
 years, and better understood by our former opponents. 
 Friendship and good feeling makes the heart light, and 
 we who had been chastened and refined by our afflictions 
 were softened into humility and forgiveness. Had not 
 they, too, suffered — their best and truest taken by our 
 darts, as ours by theirs? Was it not better to " forgive 
 and forget " ? And so we began anew the lesson of love 
 and trust, obliterating the dark record and looking for- 
 ward to a glorious future — our homes and firesides open 
 to all ; none excluded on account of difference of opinion. 
 " Agreeing to disagree," we can discuss as we could not 
 twenty-five years ago our political faith, no rash utter- 
 ance to wound or anger, all united in one grand object, 
 the " good of our fellow-men," to establish wise measures 
 and solid means of promoting the public weal. " Behold 
 how good and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to 
 dwell together in unity." 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 How different the scene of to-day compared with that 
 of thirty years ago. Our fair land then weltering in the 
 blood of her own noble sons ; now all is calm and peace- 
 ful. Our great World's Fair at Chicago, bringing to our 
 country hosts from all lands ; astonished they are at our 
 wonderful progress, finding that here in the New World we 
 are side by side with the old — our buildings massive and 
 grand, our displays of art wonderful. Can we not claim the 
 most renowned sculptor of the day — aye, he who ren- 
 ders the marble life-like and true ? All honor to Valentine. 
 Here in America they find the marks of a broad and 
 noble philanthropy. Where can we find one who studied 
 the good of his fellow-beings as our own beloved and 
 revered Corcoran. The grand art gallery at Washington 
 and the beautiful Louise Home are monuments to his 
 memory, fadeless and lasting ; Cyrus Field, Stanford, 
 McCormick, and hosts of others. Where had there been 
 seen another Edison? Aye, well may we lift our heads 
 with pride as we call over the record of honored and 
 worthy names. Such lives are immortal ; 'round their 
 memory center pure and holy thoughts. Compared to the 
 mighty warrior or statesmen, they shine with as great lus- 
 tre, with perhaps less to mar the brightness. Virginia 
 now shows as great a record as any State in point of 
 growth for the last few years, although the heart of the 
 old-time Virginian feels that the customs of former years 
 are passing away, and soon will be only a memory of 
 " 4 what has been " ; yet they are too proud of the advance- 
 ment of our grand old mother to spend the time in useless 
 
 [70] 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 71 
 
 repining, but accept the modern innovations with beau- 
 tiful manner, and bid our progressive ones "God speed." 
 Of course the "Virginia of the past" will linger in the 
 affections of the elder ones, but the present has its attrac- 
 tions here for those who dwell much in the past. Our 
 onward progress in all schools of learning is a most 
 worthy and noticeable fact. From all portions of the 
 country students come to our seminaries and colleges ; the 
 standard is high, the discipline good, the managers of 
 such institutions reliable and conscientious men and 
 women, with a high order of talent and faithful to duty. 
 We are rejoiced to note the change, for years ago all our 
 youth were sent away from home to be taught; now we 
 can offer the same advantages to others. Our old and 
 renowned schools, where so many of the first men of the 
 nation were taught, are still full of busy workers. Old 
 William and Mary, where there exists so much to remind 
 us of her former greatness, is arising from the cruel deso- 
 lation of war and taking her place again with the high 
 standard and unblemished record of former years. Could 
 the departed note the change, how would they view it? 
 Such men as Judge Beverly Tucker the renowned jurist, 
 or Robert Saunders, Millington Minnigerode, whose 
 names were an honor to any institution, could they view 
 with pleasure or pain the change? — those halcyon days, 
 when old Williamsburg was indeed the seat of culture 
 and refinement, lovely women and courtly men, the at- 
 traction of the country was she indeed. Shall we admit 
 that her greatness has departed? Nay ; verily, the " seed " 
 planted by her former sons and daughters, though it may 
 have lain dormant for years, is coming into life resolute 
 and determined. 
 
72 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 The honored record of former years shall be the incen- 
 tive to push her best energies until there shall be enrolled, 
 side by side with former honored ones names that will 
 descend to posterity alike beloved and revered. So 
 much that is hallowed and endeared to every true Vir- 
 ginian lingers around dear old Williamsburg. What a 
 delight to her sons and daughters, should her present im- 
 proved condition present. Along the James river in 
 lower Virginia, where the homes of her most noted sons 
 have fallen into decay, there are to-day signs of deter- 
 mined resolution to build up and reclaim. They shall 
 not fall away ; the very bricks are hallowed, and should 
 be preserved and put to use. So all through the James 
 River Valley, where wealth held sway in the years before 
 the war, are there to be seen improvements — the immense 
 farms utilized, divided into smaller ones, and yielding 
 their owners more than when cultivated by slaves. Beau- 
 tiful mansions overlook these farms, where refinement 
 and intelligence exists, satisfied with home and its 
 quiet surroundings. Only an occasional glance into the 
 busy world abroad is indulged in. The great locomotive 
 with its freight continually passing, and the solitude of 
 the hills broken by the steam whistle, where in the years 
 gone by our dear old canal-boats slowly and majestically 
 passed ; the genial and accommodating conductors stop- 
 ping anywhere and everywhere along the banks of the 
 canal to put off or take on passengers. A sigh will escape 
 as the dear, happy old days come up. The associations 
 connected with their memory is endeared by the sweet- 
 est recollections, whose picture, saddened and shadowed, 
 casts a sudden light over the pathway of many of us to- 
 day, for all that went to make life happy is connected 
 
Virginia: Past and Present. 73 
 
 with'the old James River and Kanawha canal-boat days — 
 days whose memory will live with the older residents 
 while time lasts. Too happy, too fleeting, yet in the 
 present day the easy transportation along the same line 
 is, to the younger people, more attractive ; the trip that 
 took days to accomplish now made in a few hours. Rip 
 Van Winkle, awake from thy slumbers and behold ! 
 
 Richmond city, always the pride of our State, not only 
 on account of its natural beauty and the remembrance of 
 her honored sons and daughters of the past, stands to- 
 day unrivalled. Her rapid strides in the past few years 
 have been astonishing. The great energy and sturdy in- 
 dustry of her working population ; the wise management 
 of her banks, her merchants, her men of all classes and 
 positions, has brought her to the front. Here a stranger 
 may rest assured of kind treatment and polite attention. 
 Her hotels and boarding-houses the first. Nowhere are 
 there more quiet, orderly servants, every wish of the vis- 
 itor attended to with alacrity and precision. Home-like 
 and pleasant is made the stay of all who stop for a day 
 or a month, and many are the objects of interest to be 
 seen about the city. Attractive parks, beautified by na- 
 ture as well as art ; and one, adored above all others, where 
 Lee's bronze figure stands — a sacred monument his great 
 deeds and pure life called into remembrance, and related 
 to the little child, gazing at the life-like figure as it prat- 
 tles the name endeared by every tie to his State. Ah, 
 who would not choose such a record? — a name now hon- 
 ored in all parts of this land, a life so far above that of 
 almost any other man in its lofty example, its unstained 
 and spotless integrity, devotion to every honorable cause, 
 that makes men wiser and better ; aye, the name of 
 
74 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 Robert E. Lee stands first in the heart of every Virginian. 
 Such a character is not the heritage of many States. True, 
 others have been honored by men of lofty and distin- 
 guished intellect; but where lived the man with so many 
 desirable traits as Lee? Only one generation could pro- 
 duce such. We look in vain for his equal. May his man- 
 tle fall on some honored scion of Virginia, that the com- 
 ing generation may have cause to rejoice in such noble 
 exhibition of all that is honorable, manly, and pure. The 
 State Capitol is to every son and daughter of Virginia a 
 spot endeared and revered. On its beautiful square stands 
 the finest equestrian statue of Washington in the world. 
 Around the monument are those whose names are immortal. 
 Henry, a prominent figure, whose eloquence was unsur- 
 passed. How much we of Virginia can boast of int he sons 
 and daughters brought up in her borders ! Let not the fire 
 of Henry's genius die out, or the eloquence of Randolph. 
 Make mention of it to our children ; give it prominence 
 in our histories of Virginia ; let the names of those of 
 which any land might well be proud to claim be cher- 
 ished and their lives be endeared to our children of future 
 generations. Such patriotism as Henry's can never be 
 forgotten by the State. A monument more enduring 
 than marble are the words, "Give me liberty or give me 
 death ! " That sentence of itself would have carried his 
 name to posterity. Marshall, the clear-headed, renowned 
 lawyer; how grand in 'his simplicity of character, the 
 child-like manner, the equable temperament, the beautiful 
 and lovely home life of such a man of genius and talent, 
 can but be full of interest to all who claim Virginia as 
 home ; so much that is ennobling to copy in such a life. 
 A pure legacy he gave to Virginia by such living testi- 
 
Virginia : Past and Present. 75 
 
 mony of the truth he professed. The greatest men have 
 been those who accept the " plan of salvation " as laid 
 down by our Saviour. They are wisest and their lives 
 are a benediction. " Godliness is profitable," &c. Rich- 
 mond on the James, purified by her past sufferings, looks 
 forward to the time when all such recollections shall be 
 obscured by the -calm of a peace which "shall flow as a 
 river." A number of the older people are yet living too 
 much in the past. When we see other homes, where the 
 children and grandchildren meet to celebrate happy pe- 
 riods, the thought will spring up, " What would my home 
 be to-day but for the four years' war? " My bright boy, 
 too young and fragile to know the hardships of a sol- 
 dier's life, but with the courage of an older soldier, left all 
 the loving attractions of home for the battle-field, where he 
 laid his beautiful head beside the mossy stream, never to 
 arise until the glad morning of that glorious day, when, 
 awoke with life immortal, he will greet his mother again. 
 The missile of death pierced that lovely brow while per- 
 haps dreaming of the embrace of loved ones at home. 
 Look beyond the pains and alarums of that conflict to the 
 Home where the " weary are at rest," and let the Com- 
 forter fill the heart with the " oil of consolation " and the 
 balm of a perfect peace, chastened, but trusting in the 
 love of the Eternal. 
 
 Our streets to-day filled with happy hearts, glad and 
 rejoicing in the comfort and prosperity of homes that are 
 beautiful in their ample proportions ; our yards and 
 grounds laid out with taste and care ; fountains throwing 
 up the glad spray of the clear water into the sunlight; 
 lovely flowers blooming all seasons. What lack we yet? 
 Have we not all the natural advantages of a great, a 
 
76 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 glorious city? Have we not the men and the means to 
 push her into the front ranks of the mechanical and agri- 
 cultural cities of the continent? There we have foun- 
 dries for moulding our finest plows. The Tredegar Iron- 
 Works, of wide reputation, reliable and strong in their 
 might, command the admiration of the country for the 
 wise management and just treatment of its employees. 
 The flour mills, owned by Richmond men, supply many 
 markets with a fine grade of flour, pure and wholesome. 
 Are not the markets unsurpassed? Of all nations have 
 we not cause to be glad and rejoice? Our climate and 
 soil superior to any other ; a greater diversity of both 
 than almost any other State can boast. Our advantages 
 are of the finest — rivers, railroads, and competent and 
 affable managers of these means of transportation. We 
 can well lift up our heads to-day with confidence and 
 security. 
 
CHAPTER XL 
 
 Old Point Comfort, with its grand hotel and fine bath 
 arrangements, is the resort of the best people from all 
 portions of our country. Fortress Monroe stands secure 
 and quiet, confident of her power to resist the intruder. 
 Hampton with its National Soldiers' Home, a great at- 
 traction to the tourist. What a grand, a gigantic monu- 
 ment to the Government of America ; the disabled and 
 helpless cared for with the comforts of a home life; 
 grounds of loveliness and beauty. Mementoes, on all 
 sides, of those who fell in battle, are held in reverence 
 and tended with love ; the hungry are fed, the needy clad, 
 and comforts bestowed on all its dependent ones. A 
 library and its pleasant situation, the resort of those who 
 wish to spend quiet hours either with books or papers in 
 many languages, is free to all who care to avail them- 
 selves of its advantages. Church and theatre, " saint and 
 sinner" can find places suited to their feelings and tastes. 
 Our hotels on the coast resorted to by the gay and light- 
 hearted, the dance and the exhilarating sport of boating, 
 each claims its scores. What would the spirits of the 
 departed utter could they tell us of their astonishment 
 as they behold the changes time has wrought? — the mag- 
 nificent steamer where our ancestors rowed the canoe, the 
 luxurious pullman sleeper taking the place of the cum- 
 bersome old stage coach, with its lumbering wheels and 
 dusty seats, though to an old-timer full of tender remem- 
 brances of the " days forever gone." In communication 
 with every portion of the world is Norfolk — her steam- 
 
 [ 77] 
 
78 Virginia : Past and Present. 
 
 ers known " o'er the wide waters " ; to her can be brought 
 in brief space of time valuable cargo from foreign ports, 
 when she in return can ship the " staff of life " to other 
 lands. What should be the condition of a State with so 
 many advantages? Homes are offered to the oppressed 
 and needy — free homes. Here, too, can the outcast of 
 other lands find employment ; here can they find those 
 who by words of entreaty would lead them to the "bet- 
 ter land " and bid them look higher for reward of pure 
 lives and honest deeds. The glorious record of the 
 past — the lives of those who remind us 
 
 " We can make our lives sublime" — 
 
 is a grand incentive to us of the present age in Virginia. 
 Our firesides have been a refuge to the wandering and 
 homeless, our tables spread with plenty for the hungry 
 poor, and our tears of sympathy for the afflicted and suf- 
 fering. Let the same spirit which filled the breasts of 
 our honored parents animate their children to the re- 
 motest generations ; make our lives to those coming 
 after us as were the lives of our predecessors to us. Let 
 us leave behind us nothing to mar the bright and pre- 
 cious example of well-spent lives, that we may be an 
 honor and source of pride, as were those gone before to 
 us. Virginia ! hallowed, chastened, refined, may thy 
 future be far brighter than the past; may nothing unholy 
 find foothold on thy sacred soil, and in the coming years 
 thy record be that of a State 
 
 " Whose God is the Lord." 
 
JUM 6 1908