USA > Virginia > City of Richmond > City of Richmond > Virginia, especially Richmond, in by-gone days; with a glance at the present: being reminiscences and last words of an old citizen > Part 11
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The Major died a bachelor. A jovial man he was, who could set the table in a roar, with this among other side-splitting tales, which he told and acted with the skill of a Matthews. My at- tempt at the recital, compared to his, is as tame and flat as the champagne of Johnny King, who decanted his the day before the feast.
The hero of this true story was for many years Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Delegates, and his successor was the celebrated Peter Francisco, the gigantic warrior, whose feats of strength were almost incredible to those who had never seen the astonishing development of his muscles.
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One of his successors of late years could almost have walked between his colossal legs without stooping.
One solitary specimen of the fashion of those early years of the century (fair top boots, corduroy shorts, very long waisted and broad tailed coat, hair in a queue) may yet (1856) be seen in our streets occasionally, in the tall figure of Mr. D. B., who greets his old acquaintances as if time had increased his kind feelings toward them .*
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CHAPTER XV.
QUACKERY AND CREDULITY.
At the close of the last century, a notable and successful instance of quackery occurred, in the introduction of "Perkins's Metallic Tractors," as they were called by an ingenious (not ingenuous) adventurer from the land of steady habits, so mis- called. Fluent of speech, not deficient in address and appearance, and still less in confidence, Mr., or Dr., Perkins traveled through the U. States,
* This last specimen of the fashion of the last age, died in Nov. 1858. The lapse of a few years makes this volume a record of mortality.
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carrying healing on his wings, or rather on his points, and he afterwards extended his philan- thropic journey to Europe. Such influence did he acquire, that a " Perkinean Institution" was formed in London, and many sage publications, no doubt, were issued by it.
Perkins's instruments consisted of two pieces of cunie-formed metal, about four inches long, flat on one side and rounded on the others, so that when the flat sides were placed together they formed a a figure like a marling-spike. By a scientific appli- cation of these points to the skin, alternately or otherwise, drawn in a certain direction with va- rious other mystical manipulations, the Professor professed to cure rheumatism, gout, tooth-ache, head-ache, and, in short, all the ills that flesh is heir to.
The virtue of the instruments, as he stated, con- sisted in the peculiar mixture of certain metals, and the (Galvanic) effect they produced, which he illustrated in the sensation created by zinc and silver applied to the tongue. But the great virtue of the tractors was the transformation of the brass of the vendor into pure silver. He stated that a certain peculiar mode of manipulation, which he explained, was required for their efficacy, but, in fact, it was nothing more than drawing the points over the skin of the parts affected, or, in still plainer terms, scratching with them. Either the
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excitement created on the surface of the skin, or on the imagination of the patient, operated, in many instances, favorably for Perkins, and, of course, the cures recorded were numerous and as- tonishing-not so the failures. Many persons bought a case of the tractors for $20 (which cost as many cents), expecting, through their use, to dis- pense with doctors and drugs, and also to dispense relief to all the rheumatic old women of both sexes in their neighborhood.
I have seen the arm and shoulder of a rheu- matic negro scratched until the skin looked al- most white, and he would move the joint, which he had not done before, and declared "the rheu- matis was gone." Whether the doctor adminis- tered metal in any other form to the patient, neither of them mentioned.
After awhile some incredulous or inquisitive per- sons began to make experiments (in violation of the patent) with tractors made by themselves, and cal- culated to detract from those of Perkins, and one went so far as to make a pair of wood, and paint them of the right color. On credulous and nervous patients, these were found as efficacious as the gen- uine, and, like the rod of the Magi of old, they also wrought miracles.
A Hudibrastic poem of considerable length, with notes, like the tail of a kite, much longer than the body, was written by a satirical genius named Fes-
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senden, called "Terrible Tractoration." Perkins was soon forgotten, and so was the poem. But he was succeeded by many quacks, and Fessenden by many rhymesters.
CHAPTER XXI.
MINERAL WATERS.
A week rarely elapses now-a-days without the announcement of some "useful and valuable dis- covery." Schemers are on the look out for mine- rals, fluid or solid, to purify the system or to replenish the purse, and numerous dupes have they found. Many years ago, when a mineral mania prevailed, a Dutchman discovered on his farm what he thought was an indigo mine, and announced it in Richmond. The golden era has recurred in Virginia several times, but was usually of short duration, long enough, however to transfer the gold of the dupes from their pockets into those of the projectors.
My tale, however, and a true one, has nothing to do with schemes or plots. Early in this cen- tury a great Hygeian discovery was made in Rich- mond. An inebriate who was so prudent as to
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walk off and wash off the effects of his evening potations at an early hour the next morning, resorted for the purpose to a secluded spot in the valley : when questioned for the motive of his matutinal stroll, he replied that he found great benefit from the use of a mineral spring to which he resorted. Others tried it, and perceived that its taste and color differed from pure water, and that its effects were beneficial. The report of its vir- tues spread around, and several invalids resorted to the yellow fountain each summer morning at sunrise. Its good effects were felt or imagined, the number of visitors increased, and instead of two or three, they soon numbered two or three score. The virtues of the water were evident to those who were, or to those who were not invalids, so long as it was drank in moderation and at an early hour; for the sun dispelled its virtues, and as he rose, they fell. If he were always to shine he might disclose the lack of virtue in other objects of unsuspected purity.
Young ladies resorted to the spring, which they found to deepen the hue of the roses on their cheeks, and young gentlemen went to fill the glasses and admire the roses.
Saratoga in those days possessed rather a glo- rious than an aqueous celebrity in Virginia ; and although our own Warm, and Hot and Sulphur springs had attained some celebrity, the attain-
17
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ment to them by invalids was attended with much labor and fatigue; so that our newly discovered domestic fountain possessed great advantages so long as faith in its virtues remained unshaken, and this was as long as those virtues possessed the magic of mystery. But some prying chem- ist-I will not suspect that he was a physician who was deprived by the waters of some of his patients-made an analysis of them, and detected a minute portion of ignoble iron. Many of its former votaries deserted it, but those whose faith was of iron and in iron continued their sunrise potations, and to derive the benefit which faith and early rising deserved.
Query : Would patent panaceas stand the test of an exposure of their ingredients, which might disclose little else than an ordinary prescription ? Even bread pills and aq: font: would lose their efficacy if not prepared according to R.
Our diseases are now much more refined than formerly. Dyspepsia and neuralgia were sour stomach or pain in the head, or stitches elsewhere, which had not aspired to the refinement of Greek appellations. It is no doubt some comfort to be thus classically affected, as a lady who complained of the chronic seemed to think it genteel. Another lady remarked, that when she was a girl people had backbones and fits, but now they had spines and spasms.
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MINERAL WATERS.
In the Flush times, which were not confined to Richmond, a similar Hygeian discovery to that just mentioned was made at Lynchburg. I have no illiberal feeling toward Yankees, nor toward any nation or section ; but my truthful history does not permit me to deviate from facts, unless I do so under false impressions. I must therefore state, that in the very height of the Flush that dazzled and deceived the speculative town of Lynchburg, an adventurous Yankee purchased a piece of ground adjoining the town, which was soon to embrace and enrich it, as he guessed : but the limbs began to retract and lose their strength, the appetite failed, and the Yankee feared he would be left a poor outsider. However, he determined not to submit without an effort. He dug a well on the prem- ises, and it yielded a strong mineral water, similar, as some thought, to one or another of the cele- brated springs in the mountain region. Invalids resorted to it in the early mornings, for it was open at certain hours only, and they derived bene- fit. Its celebrity rapidly increased, and its visitors became numerous. Even the faculty recommended the use of the waters, especially to patients whose diseases were imaginary. It was suggested, per- haps by a friend of the fortunate owner, that a regular watering-place should be established for the benefit of invalids, and for the prosperity of the town. The proprietor agreed to accept for the
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property a good profit on his outlay ; the bargain was closed and he went on his way rejoicing.
After the lapse of some little time, the waters were thought to decline in strength, which was at first attributed to an excess of rain; but as they did not strengthen with drought, it was deemed best to have the well cleansed and examined. The pro- cess was commenced, and to the dismay of the owners, when they reached the bottom of the well, where truth should reside, they found bags of brim- stone, rusty nails, &c .; the saline and other solu- ble ingredients had disappeared.
The fair historian of Lynchburg has, I find, recordedthis affair in a much more graphic style.
CHAPTER XVII.
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
" The Invisible Lady" visited Richmond before Tom Moore addressed her, under the name of Tom Little, about the year 1803. She had many ad- mirers, and, coquette-like, made a kind response to all, but no other was so gallant and poetical as Little Moore, who was then as great a coquette as she- courting in sweet odes all the Caras and Coras,
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Neas and Noras he met with. His fanciful lines to the lady above mentioned, commencing-
" They try to persuade me, my dear little sprite, That you are not the daughter of ether and light,
Nor have any concern with the fanciful forms
That dance upon rainbows or ride upon storms ;"
are no doubt familiar to all my readers.
Caressing and caressed, Moore spent some days in Richmond, singing sweetly his own songs, and penning some sweet lines to eyes and lips and hair ; among others, to a charming lady who I hope may read these, albeit thro' spectacles.
The reign of the Invisible Lady, like that of other coquettes, was short and brilliant, and soon forgotten ; but the most remarkable part of her history was, that she relapsed into silence after passing her teens.
About the same period, some other meteors ap- peared in our firmament, that bid fair afterwards to become fixed stars, but did not. Jerome Bona- parte, with his Baltimore bride, a descendant of " Old Mortality," immortalized by Walter Scott, arrived in Richmond with his bride in Nov. 1804. He was accompanied by Col. Reubel, not " Gen. Reubel, that demon of Hell," of whom " the anti- Jacobin " sung, but one of the same family, and no demon, and he also found a beautiful bride in Balti- more-Miss Pascault, if I remember rightly. Je-
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rome had sailed for France in a French frigate, but put back into the Chesapeake,-ominous to his young bride,-for, Napoleon-like, and, by his orders, he repudiated her (reluctantly it was said), and, in 1806 or '7, married a princess and became a king-pro tem. In March, 1856, at the point of death, as was supposed, he was attended in Paris by his Paterson son and grand-son.
CHAPTER XVIII.
PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.
The very first dramatic performance in Rich- mond was, as I have heard, in a wooden house, large in that day, which stood in the rear of the old jail (Rose's Brig), and which, if I mistake not, was demolished only a few years ago ; but let that pass, and we will take a look at the first reg- ular theatre opened in the city, to reach which we must travel through an old and interesting record. If the reader finds it dull, he can skip over a few pages, but mayhap fare no better. If he reads it, he will be rewarded for his pains.
The writer is indebted to a gentleman of literary taste and research for the use of an exceedingly rare little volume (in French), entitled, “ Memoir
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and Prospectus concerning the Academy of Fine Arts of the United States of America, established at Richmond, the Capital of Virginia, by the Chevalier Quesnay de Beaurepaire, Founder and President.
" Monumentum ære Perennius."
Paris, printed by Cailleau, Printer to the Richmond Academy, 1788."
It opens with a letter from M. Quesnay, to the Royal Academy of Sciences of Paris, which is fol- lowed by an extract from the Register of the Acad- emy, dated March 14, 1788-here translated :
"The Committee appointed by the Academy have examined the scheme presented by the Chevalier Quesnay de Beaurepaire, for the establishment of an Academy of Arts and Sciences at Richmond, the Capital of Virginia, in America, situated 75 leagues from Philadelphia, and 35 from the ocean.
" The author having served ten years in British America, and traveled through all parts of the country, has been enabled to observe the need of instruction, and has conceived a plan for relieving this necessity, with the additional advantage of in- creasing, under circumstances so interesting as the birth of the republic, the relations between it and France, and of uniting it with his country by new ties of gratitude, of conformity of tastes, and of a more intimate connection between the indi- viduals of the two nations.
"He chose Richmond as the spot, where he had most friends, and from his own resources, together with a liberal subscription of nearly 60,000 francs, he succeeded in procuring a superb situation, and in having erected on it an edifice destined to be- come the centre of the new Academy.
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" A number of citizens zealous for the public good, fathers anx- ious for the education of their children, and officers attached to the government listened eagerly to his plans, and hastened to share the honor of the establishment by contributing to it their talents, their influence and their wealth; and on the 24th June, 1786, the corner-stone of the walls of the Academy was laid with great solemnity, as described in the ' Virginia Gazette,' now before you.
" The next step is to procure for this institution tutors, models for the arts, scientific instruments, &c., for which purpose M. Quesnay has come to Europe. He has consulted with great masters in all departments, has collected materials, and he hopes, on his return to Virginia, to open schools in which may be taught Medicine, Astronomy, Natural History, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Painting, Sculpture, Architecture Civil and Mili- tary, and the Foreign Languages.
" The advantages of such a scheme are obvious. We have already received from America various trees and shrubs which may be cultivated in Europe on spots hitherto regarded as barren, and which may become valuable ; but, as yet, we are only acquainted with her sea-board and the margins of her rivers, and it is desirable for the advancement of Botany and Mineralogy, that a more intimate intercourse should be estab_ lished. * * * * The means of instruction in America, in all branches, are rare and difficult, but the enterprise of M. Quesnay will add to them, and it appears to us that much may be hoped from it.
" We shall not enter into the examination of the economical and pecuniary plans which he proposes for the support of the establishment, this is out of our province, nor is it in the memoir which he presents for the suffrage of the Academy ; but his plan for the advancement of science in America, for the enlightenment and development of its vast republics, must meet with the approbation of the Academy, which cannot fail to applaud the zeal of M. le Chevalier Quesnay, to give him their encouragement, and to desire success to his establishment.
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" Done at Paris, in the Assembly of the Royal Academy of Sciences, March 14th, 1788-DE LA LANDE, THOUIN, TENON, LAVOISIER.
" A true copy, Le Marquis de CONDORCET."
(Here follows the memorial on which the pre- ceding was founded :) -
"MEMORIAL and Prospectus of the Academy of Arts and Sci- ences of the United States of America, established at Rich- mond, read before the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris, 5 March, 1788.
" At the time that the Cavalry of the King's Guard, to which I belonged, was disbanded, and when the convulsions of civil war were agitating a portion of the New World, attracted by the brilliant hope of distinguishing myself in arms, I went to America and served in Virginia (I can say with honor) in the rank of Captain, during the years 1777 and 1778.
"But the loss of my accoutrements, and also of all my letters of recommendation, which latter were mislaid in the office of the then Governor of Virginia, Mr. P. Henry, in whose care I had left them, finally a long and severe illness and a want of pecuniary resources at so great a distance from home, forced me to abandon the profession of arms and to seek some other means of supporting a name which, unattended with fortune, was the only patrimony I inherited from my grandfather, Dr. Quesnay, first consulting physician to the King, a man emi- nent for his talents, his universal information, and his public spirit.
" I had occasion during the war, and afterwards, to traverse a large portion of the American States. My acquirements in the fine arts, induced me to suppose that if this republic had no cause to envy Europe on the score of Science, yet the Fine Arts are so little known that, even with moderate talents, I might become useful in that department.
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"I sought at first to arouse and excite the taste of the people by giving private lessons. I soon had many pupils, and con- ceived the idea of founding an academy."
M. Quesnay then speaks of his efforts in the principal cities of the Union to excite an interest in his project, with which was connected the formation of similar establishments in them ; gives the reasons already quoted for selecting Richmond as the great central establishment, having spent in Virginia the early portion of his sojourn in the United States, and having there many and good friends, and then adds : "Finally, on the 24th June, 1786, after years of perseverance, I had the satisfaction to witness the imposing ceremonies with which the laying of the corner-stone of the Academy was honored."
Two silver plates were deposited in the corner- stone. On one was an inscription in Latin, on the other in French. The Latin translated reads thus :
"In the year of our Lord, 1786, the 10th of the Republic, viii Calends of July, PATRICK HENRY being Governor of Virginia, the plan of an Academy projected by ALEXANDER MARIA QUESNAY, and assisted by the liberality of many meritorious citizens is at length consummated. This corner-stone was laid, JOHN HARVIE being Mayor of the city."
The inscription on the other plate contains the following :
"Corner-stone of an Academy in the city of Richmond. AL- EXANDER MARIA QUESNAY, President, laid by the officers and brethren of Lodge No. 13, on the festival of St. John the Bap- tist, in the year of Light 5786, and of the Vulgar Era 1786. JOHN GROVES, Master ; JAMES MERCER, Grand Master ; ED- MUND RANDOLPH, Past Grand Master."
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M. Quesnay inserts the following Letter of In- troduction to Dr. Franklin, from his daughter, Mrs. Bache :
PHILADELPHIA, 27th February, 1783.
MY DEAR AND HONORED FATHER : With this letter you will receive a scheme for a French Academy which it is desirable to establish here. It is a very extensive plan, which will do honor to the gentleman who has conceived it, as well as to America. If it can be executed, it will in no wise interfere with the plans of the Colleges, and will be devoted only to completing the education of young men after having graduated. Those who are already under M. Quesnay's instruction have made great progress.
He regards you as the father of sciences in this country, and highly appreciates the advice and instruction you have never failed to give to those whose talents deserve encouragement. Money is the thing that is required, but the brother of M. Ques- nay, who has charge of this, will inform you how your assist- ance can be most useful.
I can well conceive how much you must be occupied at this important crisis, but as a mother, who desires to give her chil- dren a useful and polite education and who will be proud to have them formed in her own country, and under her own eyes, I beg you to give to M. Quesnay all the assistance which may be in your power. I have written to you by another opportu- nity, and will only add the love and respect of all the family.
I remain your affectionate daughter,
SARAH BACHE.
To give some idea of the welcome which the author and his enterprise received in the different States he visited, he gives the names of the per- sons who have rendered their aid, and who have testified the greatest friendship for him :
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In Gloucester county, Virginia, after he was obliged to leave the army, Sir John Peyton, touched with his destitute condi- tion, kindly invited him to his house and insisted on his remain" ing there while he was awaiting assistance from his own country and restoration of health. For nearly two years, he bestowed on him every mark of kindness, and treated him as his own son. During the whole time of his residence in Virginia, the house of this excellent and kind man, and those of all his con- nections, appeared to M. Quesnay to be places of refuge for distressed and unfortunate strangers. The names mentioned (but he sometimes mistakes them) are Thacher Washington, Throgmorton, Jno. Dixon, Tabb, Bolling, Sam. Washington, Jno. Page of Rosewell, (Lieutenant Governor, and the foremost man to promote his object ;) Whiting, Perin, Rev. Mr. Fontaine, Willis, Hubard, Nuttall; who, with one accord, he says, "acted towards the author with that delicacy which, knowing how to respect misfortune, adds inestimable value to all benefits." In addition to the names above recited, M. Quesnay enumerates, among his patrons, the following gentlemen, with special thanks appended to several of them for their great kindness : In Richmond, John Harvie, esq., Mayor of the city and Register of the Land Office, Col. Thomas Randolph of Tuckahoe, Edm'd Randolph, Governor of the State, Patrick Henry, late Governor, Col. Cary, Speaker of the Senate, Col. Matthews and Dr. James McClurg, Councillors of State, Mr. Ambler, Treasurer, Col. Robert Goode, Dr. Wm. Foushee, Messrs. Wm. Pennock, Rob't Mitchell, Gabriel Galt, J. Buchanan, Robert Boyd and Marshall magistrates ; also, Messrs. McKean, John Barret, Wm. Lewis, Taylor, Sims, Nelson, Skipwith, Dan'l Hylton, Jas. Hayes, Wm. Mayo, Daniel Vandewall, Samuel McCraw, John Dixon, Thos. M. Deane, John Pryor, Nicolson, Francis James, Moses Austin, Edward Voss, James Warrington, Carter, Watkins, John Kerr, Henry Banks, Richard Southgate, Abraham Lot, Jos. Higbee, Rev. J. Buchanan, Dr. Turpin, J. Groves, Pleas't Younghusband, R. Adams, Griffin, and many others of all conditions, in town and country. In Petersburg, Mrs. Bolling and her two sons,
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Dr. Shore, Mayor of the town, Cols. Banister and Davis, Dr. Walker, Dr. Jones, Major Gibbon, Mr. Gordon, &c. In Norfolk, Col. Parker. In Williamsburg, Rev. Mr. Madison, President of the College, John and Thomas Carter, Gen. Gibson. At Alex- andria, Col. Semmes, Gen. Roberdeau, Mr. Hunt, &c. Then follow Baltimore and the Northern cities.
Among the names now recorded in history may be recognised in Philadelphia, the successive Governors Reed, Moore and Dickinson, Mrs. Bache, Messrs. Willing, Shippin, Rob't Morris, Lawrence, Francis, Benezet, Bingham, Rittenhouse, Penrose, Peale, Humphries, Gens. Wayne, Wilkinson, Stuart, and many others of high respectability.
In New Jersey, M. Coxe, Lieut. Governor, the families of De Hart, Barnet, Ogden, and especially Mr. Mathias Higgins, who accompanied the author during two years as secretary and friend. In New York, Gov. G. Clinton, Mayor Duane, Baron Steuben, Gen. Van Cortland, Col. Bland, Dr. Cochran, and the families of Livingston, Hoffman, Hallett, Pintard, Seaton, White, Niven, Ludlow, Ogden, Vandyke, Israel, &c .; to these may be added the Chevalier de la Luzerne and M. de Marbois.
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