USA > Virginia > Historical collections of Virginia : containing a collection of the most interesting facts, traditions, biographical sketches, anecdotes, &c. relating to its history and antiquities ; together with geographical and statistical descriptions ; to which is appended, an historical and descriptive sketch of the District of Columbia. > Part 65
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This man has been before my imagination almost ever since. A thousand times, as I rode along, I dropped the reins of my bridle, stretched forth my hand, and tried to im :. tate his quotation from Rousseau ; a thousand times I abandoned the attempt in despair, and felt persuaded that his peculiar manner and power arose from an energy of soul which nature could give, but which no human being could justly copy. In short, he seems to be altogether a being of a former age, or of a totally different nature from the rest of men. As I recall, at this moment, several of his awfully striking attitudes, the chilling tide, with which my blood begins to pour along my arteries, reminds me of the emotions produced by the first sight of Gray's introductory picture of his bard :
" On a rock, whose baoghty brow, Frowns o'er old Conway's foaming flood. Robed in the sable garb of Wo, With haggard eyes the poet stood ; (Loose his heard and hoary hair Strepmed, like a meteot, to the troubled air :) And with a poet's band and prophet's fire. . Strack the deep sorrows of his fyre." Harss my surprise, when, on my arrival at Richmond, and mentioning the pains of this man, I found not one person who had ever before heard of James Waddel ! !
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The above description of the blind preacher has been admired by thousands, and many bave sopposed it to be fiction. Abhongh years have elapsed since it was written, it is only within a few. mouths that a landable curiosity has been gratified, to know the history of one whose eloquence drew forth such high encomimas from the accomplished author of the British Spy. This has been dose in the memoir of Mr. Waddel, published recently in the Watchmian of the South, by James W. Alexander, D. D., late pro- fessor in the college af Princeton, and grandson of the blind preacher. From this memoir the following sketch is principally derived :-
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JAMES WANDEL, D. D., was born in the north of Ireland in 1739, and was brought by his parents, in his infancy, to America. They settled in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania, near the state line, on White Clay creek. To the advice of an excellent and pious inother, Mr. Waddel aseribed his first religious convictions. She was a to. Butan of pininent Christian knowledge and plety, and brought with her to this count the inethods of ancient Scottish Presbyterianism. When about 13 years of age, he was send in and Ended at the account of the celebrated Bir Ming ya No mura, Pas sylvania, where he studied the classics, mathematics, logie, and those branches indispon. sable for the learned callings. Such was his proficiency, that his distinguished preceptor soon employed him as an assistant. Ife was afterwards an assistant teacher in another noted Pr Salariat school, at Pages, in Lancaster co., under the die smith. After passing a year or more in that spannary, in pursuance of a long-cherished pha -- as it is thought, to devote himself to teaching-he set forth on his travels for the south, and finally reached flanover county, in Virginia. There he made the acquaintance of Col. Henry, the father of Patrick Henry, and the celebrated Brand Pavir: The meeting with Mr. Davies gave a direction to young Waddel's life. We next find him in Louisa, where he assisted the Rev. Mr. Todd in his school, and devoted his leisure to the study of theology. He was licensed as a Probationer, April 2d, 1701, by the (old; Presbytery of Hanover, and in the following year, 1762, accepted a call to the churches of Lancas- ter and Northumberland. There he fond so manch hospitality, intelligence, and polish, among those old Virginia gentry, that he would cheerfully have passed his life among them, but for the ill effects of the climate. There was then a brisk trade with Great Britain from the months of the rivers and much gonthe party among the merchants and plantare of that region. Mr. Waddel's labors were not glight, as ben had theman preaching places, via : Janguter Q. B., de Forest meeting Bons, and the Wrath umber. land meeting-house. About the year 1768, he married Mary Gordon, the daughter of
of the Northern Neck owed macht the god of Col. tin who was an older in the church. and after his death they visibly declined, and were finally pretty much absorbed in the Baptists. This was in part owing to their estates being open to the ravages of the Brit- ish vessels, who, carrying off their property, led to the decline of the wealthy Presby. ferian families.
About the veut 1375, Mr. Waddel removed to the Tinkling Spring church, in Augusta. Although abnest broken down by disease, his france attenuated, and his voice impaired, vet he drew crowds of hearers.
In 1783 he accepted a call, and gave his services to the united congregations of Staunton and Tinkling Spring. He remained in Augusta about seven years, during . which his health was entirely renovated. His salary was only £45 per annum, Virginia
From thenco, Mr. Waddel made a last cartlily removal to an estate which he nated Hopewell, bear the angle of Louisa, Orange, and Albemarle. While here he preached at the " D. S." church, near Charlottesville, at a log-house in Clarkesyihr, at the Brick church near Orange C. IL, and in the small edifice erected by himself, represented in The preceding view. He also again hecame a teacher. Among his pupls were Meri- wether Clark and Governor Barbour.
Although secluded from the literary world, he found means to become thoroughly versed in theology, as well as general literature. Mr. Waddel resided in Louisa about 20 years. There he ended his days, Sept. 17th, 1805, and, according to his request, was buried in bis garden. His last hour were such as might have been expected, from a life of eminent piety and singular self-control.
In person Dr. Waddel was tall and erect, and when a young man he is said to have been of striking appearance. His complexion was fair, and his eyes of a light blue ; his mien unusually diguified, and his manners elegant and gracefal .. His eloquence bas become matter of tradition in Virginia. It electrified whole assemblies, transfused to them the speaker's passion at his will ; " a species," says his biographer, "I must be allowed to say, which I have seidom heard.but in the south." Under his preaching, an- derces wird irresistibly and windlien was moved, like the wind shaken trest. Pour- cially was his power great in so painting sacred scenes, as to bring the hearer into the very presenec of the object. Even his ordinary private intercourse was an uncommon trvat to intellectual persoas, and occasioned the first men of his time to seek his. com- pany. When in scornful argument he was like the sweeping torrent, carrying every shing before it.
It was in 1803, when Mr. Waddel was approaching the end of his life, that Mr. Wirt
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. under the incognito of a British officer, wrote his reichtat A description. I me often in an cerstioned bow for the person Bished author gare Mosself the beware of fiction in his sketch. It may, therefore, bo observed, that Dr. Wadde! was well known in vinia, his pulpit costume was diferent from that described, and that the Beatles instead of being a transient stranger, was well acquainted with In St. Gal .... Says Prof. Alexander, " Mr. Wirt stated to me, that so far from adding colors to the picture of Dr. Waddel's eloquence, he had fallen below the truth. Ho did not hesitate equal to Patrick Henry. He added, that in regard to the place, time, costume, and los-
necurre.l apart, and, perhaps, imagining as in a sermon, observations which had been ut- tered by the fireside." Patrick Henry was accustomed to say, that Waddel and Davies were the greatest orators he ever heard. The elocution of those men was not that taught by masters. or that practiced before the mirrors of colleges. A. venerable clergy- man said. " When other men preach, one looks to see who is affected ; when Dr. Wad- del preached, those not affected were the exception. Whole congregations were affect- ed." Gov. Barbour declared, that Dr. W. surpassed all orators he ever knew.
Dr. Waddel on sonte occasions eoiployed his singular faculty in the revolution, in patriotic services, and once addressed Tate's company, at Midway, Rockbridge county, previous to their marching to the south. 'When the British Spy appeared, the old gentle- man was unfeignedly grieved at the laudatory notico of himself, and in reply to a com- plimentary lever which he received. he dictated the words, Hadd a frits lave, apple. brium est -- [ Unmerited praise is a reproach.]
Il independence and sont brought him into collision with the established church ; and he was one time fined for occupying a parish church. In the latter put of his life ho was afflicted with blindness. After several years bis sight was partially restored by the operation of couching.
A most touching account of Dr. Waddel's restoration to sight has lately hver pub. lished in the Literary Messenger. From it we derive the following : For eight years had been blind, a stranger equally to the cheerful light of day and the cheering faces of Kjodred and friends. In the lapse of time great changes had taken place. The pfir had left the knee te rove among the fields-the youth had started info manhout, and grone forth in the busy scenes of life. without a hope that the eyes of his venerable father would ever rest upon him. Like the evening cloud of summer, a calm and holy resiy nation settled over the mind of this man of God : but the dark curtain which hung cra the organs of sight seemed destined to rise no more.
After an operation for cataract, which, in the progress of some years, bad renderea light sensible, and thea objects faintly visible -- a well-constructed convex lens, samt b; a distant freud, enabled him in a moment to see with considerable distinctness. ''i scene which followed in his family around was most moving. The father could Acaht see his children, who riveted his attention and absorbed his soul. Amongthem our. tions of intense interest and varied suggestion were visible in the ay amonte hurried movements. The bursts of laughter -- the running to and as ... hands-the sending for absent friends-and then the silent teer bodies for the touching Interlude-the eager gaze of old servants, and the namesding wonder of your! onex-in short, the happy confusion and joy was such a scene as a master's pratiche have been proud to sketch. The paroxysm produced by the first application of It. glasses having passed away ; behold ! the patriarch in his large arm chair, with his children around him, scanning with affectionate curiosity the basistul toga. was a visible shyness among the lesser members of the family while it.et fatherly scrutiny, not unlike that produced by a long absence. The Gridness of a .s. in contemplating these most deer to him was never more rationaly complied, wo er. quisitely enjoyed. And now the seger the old man and from the a long stad, which scented poweringy but momentarily to theuse his attention-it he been t. + companion of his darkest days, the pioneer of his domestic travels, and the supporter of a weak and tottering frame -- he then proceeded to the front door to take a view of the mountains, the beautiful southwest range, stretching out in lovely prospect at the distance of about three miles. All followed ; and the moun'am scene, though viewed a thousand times before, was now gazed upon with derper interest, and present- ed a greater variety of beauties than ever.
About four miles from Orange C. H., on a slight eminence, is Montpelier, which was the seat of James Madison, President of
ORANGE COUNTY.
the United States from 1809 to 1817. It is a large brick building. Its interior is furnished with plain, but rich furniture, and orna-
Montpelier, the coat of President Madison.
mented with busts, pictures, &c. There is an extensive lawn in the rear of the mansion, beyond which is a large and elegant gar- den, containing a great variety of both native and exotic plant ; Mr. Madison died at Montpelier. on the 28th of June, 1836, at the advanced age of eighty-seven, decply lamented as a national loss. The following sketch. from the New York Mirrer, is by one who knew him well, and passed many pleasant hours in his society :
Great occasions produce great men. The records of our own country bear tes- timony to this truth. In the early and in the later ages of her struggles, there were not wanting men to advise and to act for a nation's welfare. Among those who have acted a crespinnous part in building up our political and civil institutions for more than sixty years, was JAMES MAIOR. who has lately sunk to rest, full of years and honors.
Mr. Madiam was by Birth a Virginian, and wholly educated in this country. He was intended for a statesman from his youth, and mude himself master of constitutional law, when it was hardly known as a science either in England or in this country. He was born on the sixteenth of March, 1751, and, of course, was in all the ardor and & member of the legislature of Virginia, and at that early age, was distinguished for his maturity of understanding and sage prudence. He was soon appointed one of the coun. cil of the state. During the whole eventful struggle, James Madison had the confidence of the state of Virginia: and, as a member of her leget ture, was listened to win pre. found attention when he brought forward sundry resolutions for the formation of a gene. ral government for the United States, based upon the inefficiency of the old confedera- who, in conclave, propored a form of a constitution to be submitted to the several states for der discussion. approbation, and eduption. Ma. Madison was a member of time cop. "vention, as a delerute from Virginia, and took an active part in the deliberations of thet enlightened tady, of which Working on Fire dieage, was probst. On the Region of this constitution-a wonderful ce in the history of the liberties of man-Mr. Madi- son was elected a member of the first Congress, and took an active part in setting the machinery in meting. At this period public opinion was greatly aghated by the crude
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and mler opinions scattered through the country, through the medium of the crow der presses ; this was grievous to the friends of the constitution, and three mighty minds Jay, Mendion, and Makea, Kamed a lady alliance to ref Med the people that. :o cat doctrines of the constitution, and breaking through the host of the Philistines, de. .. the past avere of truth for the good of the people. The essays from the pens of these worthies, were collected in a volume, called the Federalist, which now stands for. .. nent of the wisdom and patriotisme of that age. In the delaires of the first Cont Mr. Madison took a large share. It was an illustrious camo tage of primary. whom there often arose a difference of opinion in regard to political ober, but all were lovers of their country, and laboring for her best interests. Here Mr. Madison acted with the Cabots and the Ames' of the east, in perfect harmony. It was reserved for the offer age to feel the withering die of party rade. The were Hardly altered as long as the father of los country filed the presidential chair. In the ad cluntration of his successor, a separation into parties took place, and Mr. Madison ranked Binself on the side of Me Jeron and his party. During the pastknow of Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Madison was secretary of state, and sustained that office with singular ability. Hebvid a ready pra, had a clear, philosophical perception of the great principles on which the governowat professed to act, and could paddy produce a tone of the course parsted. No secretary ever did, or ever will do more by force of argument, than Mr. Madison, while supporting the measures of Mr. Jefferson,
In March, 1809, Mr. Madison became President of the United States. It was a stormy period. Pravo end Ragland, in their deres struggles for masters . forgat the rights of neutral nations, and outraged our independence. Insult followed insult from both countries, for the three first years of his administration ; but he was. from the very clements of his nature, inclined to peace, and had not urged preparations for war. In 1812, war was declared, without preparation, and the executive of the United States had a difende task to perform. A powerful part of the people were opposed to the Hut, some for one reason, and some for another, and it required no small degrec of moral courage, to steer the ship of state at such a crisis. Mr. Madison was not a military chieftain, and took no pleasure in the glories of a victory, no further than they were beneficial to the interests of his country ; but his moral courage was of the highest or- der, that which arises from a consciousness of an intention of doing good. There o'n be no doubt but that'se sagacious a statesman as Mr. Madison saw come of the Best- ings that were to flow to his country from the evils of war. He knew that nations, times, hold incorrect opinions, and that the rude shocks of or are the only foru dys los these errors. The war had its dark and bright spots on the wallmyr of that, but its r. sults were thegather fortunate The necessity of a navy for national honor and protec. tion, anchored itself into the firm bosen of every patriot, with such a hold as to ride cut every billow and whirlwind of faction. Dy this war we were taught that no nation could ever claim to be independent, whose resources were confined to agriculture and com. merce alone. . By this war we became a manufacturing people to a respectable extent ; but there was as much opposition to this as there was to the war. This goes to show, that it is beyond human reason to foresee what may be best ; but all will agree that time should always be wisdom and honesty at the head of our people, to make the most ju- dicious use of every event.
In 1817, when the reign of peace was established, Mr. Madison retired to his farm to enjoy the serenity of rural life ; but here he has not been idle. On the death of Mr. Jefferson, he was made chancellor of the University of Virginia, and, as well as his pre- decessor, took a deep interest in the prosperity of the institution. When Viel'acalled a convention to alter her constitution, Mr. Madison, with Chief-Justice Marssil Que Mr. Monroe, were found among. the sages who had witnessed the birth of that constitu- tion, and were well acquainted with its excellences and defects, and were good judges of the best forms of amendment. Several years ago, a bookseller at Washington got to an edition of the deletes quale several conventions called by the states in Fish and IT~, a lively interest in this publicunter and attended the editor all the information that he possessed upon the subject.
Mr. Madison was unquestionably the leading member in the Virginia convention. called for the adoption of the exactitation of the United Soves, although there are several distinguished men among them. This body was fortunate enough to have em ployed a reporter of cininence for the occasion, which was not the case in many other states; and what the Virginia acht r did not put omen in his notes, Mr. Makon'a minutes and recollections most readily supplied.
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In the convention he had to meet the blaze of Patrick Henry's eloquence, to ........ arguments of Mason, and the chilling dochts of Monroe ; but all were overcome by the clearness of his views, and the force of his reasonings. Mr. Madison was not :... . in the common acceptation of the word : there were no deep toues in his voice ; ho Sashes of a fierce and commanding rye ; no elegant gestures to attract the in. all was calm, dignitied, and convincing. It was the still, small voice, in which th cles of God were communicated to the prophet. He never talked for the love of des but simply to communicate his thoughts. He spoke often in debate, when : .1. his cause, but was always beard with profound attration ; not a word of his sport."> was lost. He was so perfectly master of his subject. that he had nothing to come. Pt a retrospective view of it, and was so well understood that he had nothing to capl. ... His voice was deficient in volume, but it was so well modulated, that its compas. Sa. more extensive than that of mony speakers of stronger lungs. His conversas a: was truly a charm. He was familiar with most topics, and he loved both to communicate and receive informatica. He lived in times when men grew up with strong prejudices and partialities ; but his most familiar guests seldom heard a sentence tinged with them. either at his table or faxaide. For nearly twenty years he had been daily po paving for the change of worlds, and at last sunk into the arms of death in as peaceful a sleep as a babe on the bosom of his mother. Nature and religion had car c him of all fare of the grave ; he had no dread of what " dreams might come when he had shuffled off this mortal coil." He had no enmities to settle, for he had quarrelled with no one : he had Do sanders to forgive, for no one ever traduced him. His history contains, indeed, it miracle, for there has not been one of mortal, or of immortal birth, who has acted a con- spionane nost on this north, but Jones Madista, whose private reputation has not been assailed.
The late Gov. James Barbour, and the late Judge Philip Pordle- ton Barbour, the sons of Col. Thomas Barbour, were born at the family seat near Montpelier.
JAMES BARBOUR "held the highest trusts in Virginia, as speaker of the House of Delegates, governor of the stato, and senator in Congress. Under the general govern. inent he sustained with ability the offices of secretary of war and minister to Great Britain. His political career was a distinguished one, and his character in bfe secured the esteem of all who knew him. He died June 8th, 1842, aged sixty-six."
PHILIP PENDLETON BARBOUR " was distinguished for his talents, and was indebted to his professional and political eloquence for his success in life. He was a member of Con- gress from 1514 to 1825 ; in 191 he was elected speaker of the House of Representatives; in 1825 he was appointed a judge of the Virginia court ; in. 1527 be became again a mon- bor of Congress, and soived three sessions. In 1836 he was appointed by President Jackson an associate judge of the supreme court of the United States. He died sud .. denly, February 25th, 1841, at Washington city, of ossification of the beast, aged about sixty."
PAGE.
PAGE county was formed in 1831, from Rockingham and Shenad- doal, and named from John Page, governor of Virginia from ISur? to 1805. The county is 34 miles long, with a mean width of 11 miles, and consists of one entire valley, with the Shenandoah running its whole length through it, from N. to s., and the Phd. Ridge lying on the east, and the Fort or Massanuttin mountain ou the west. These mountains ever present a beautiful and pictu- resque appearance, whether viewed robed in the snow, ice, and clouds of winter, the refreshing green of summer of the gorgeous hues of autumn. The soft of Page is generally of the best quality
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of Binestone valley land ; a very considerable portion is bottom, bine on the Shenandoah River, and Hawksbill, and other creeks. The mineral wealth of the county is great; por abounds, and copper, lead, magnesia, and beautiful marble, are found in many places. Population in 1810, whites 5,195, slaves 781, free colored 216; total, 6,191.
Luray, the county-seat, is 130 miles Nw. from Richmond, and 96 from Washington. It is situated on the Hawksbill creek, near the centre of the county. The first house was built here in 1814. It now contains several mercantile stores, 2 or 3 churches, and a. population of about 500. About one mile west of the town of Luray, is a cave which is but little inferior in extent, beauty, and magnificence, to Weyer's cave. Its entrance is at the top of a small mountain called Cave Hill, and not being very accessible, is not much visited. The most splendid apartments in it are Cen- gress and Masonic Halls. From a published description of the cave by those who first explored it, we extract the following, rela- tive to these beautiful rooms:
Congress Hall .- After descending, as we supposed, about a quarter of a mile, the passage became very straight and smooth, and gradually enlarged until we perceived that we stood in front of a room whose dimensions. from the light of our candles, we could not discover. The entrance here, as in the room which we first entered, was ton or fifteen feet above the level of the floor. After a few moments, however, wy cheste to the projections of spar, which have appeared like large icicles, the whole party stand safely upon the four of this great room. Here all the woods and magnificence of the subterranean world burst upon us at nace. We found that we stond in a room, the area of whose foot wos equal to a quarter of an acre. Immediately before us. and within a few feet of the centro of the room, arose a vast column, or pillar, in some de- gree combining architectural proportions, and running up about thirty feet. and sup- porting the dome of this immense hall. This column stands upon a block, or rude . pedestal, about three feet in height, and the shaft where it rests upon it is about the thickness of a man's body. It then swells gradually until it becomes, at the distance of twenty feet from its base, about the size of a barrel, whence it continues of the sims size, until it gradually enlarges into its capital, where it reaches the dome. Strany te tell, this vast column is almost as regularly fluted or grooved, as if it had been done with the chise! of the sentpior. About fateen feet from the man pillar stato tra smaller odes. about ten feet in height, which consequently do not reach the calling ; and just at their base, and nearly between them, is a small pool or basin of Water. perceived by the united glare of all our candles, that the whole of the arch of this in- incase hall was hung with the most beautiful stalactites, and variegated wine when every possible variety of color. In some places it was perfectly white, then sed, grus, or yellow, and in others it was as clear and transparent as ice.
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