OLD LETTER OF COL. JOHN L. PEYTON.
to his uncle, maj. t. preston lewis.
Shirley, near Staunton, Feb'y 28th, 1858.
Dear Uncle:
I was much gratified to get your letter, brief as it was, a few days since, and was surprised to hear that you had been so long and so seriously indisposed. I hope by this time you have entirely recovered, and if not, I must renew my suggestion and invitation to you again. My suggestion that you ought to leave Washington for a time, and my invitation that you should pass that time in the fresh air and quiet comforts of my house at Shirley. By coming and staying a month or two with me you might be permanently improved in health, and it would not, as you seem to apprehend, increase your expenses, or cut off your salary in Washington. Gov. Floyd, under the circumstances of the case would not hesitate to grant you a furlough. The pleasure I would enjoy from your society would be very great, and my wife asks me to assure you that nothing would give her more pleasure than to have you come.
The weather here is charming, and spring-like, which is something unusual at this season, but is what we expected after the vile "spell" we have had for the past five weeks.
Staunton has been quite up in the books this winter between lectures, concerts, auctions, exhibitions and other pastimes and amusements.
Among the eminent strangers we have had lecture here, was George D. Prentice, of the "Louisville Journal." I did not hear his lecture, but dined with him one day while here at Judge J. H. McCue's, and confess I was not much impressed which is still further evidence of the soundness of the opinion I formed when travelling west in 1848, namely: The farther I went west the more convinced I was that the wise men came from the East.
Few persons left here for Richmond on the 22nd, and those who did were so worried by the great crowd that they saw little, and enjoyed what they saw, less.
Everett's[31] oration surpassed any anticipations I had formed of it, while Hunter's fell far below the public expectation. What can compensate a man for falling below the public estimate on such an occasion! It almost drives a man to believe every effort a mockery—and that he is apt to reap by his efforts not fame, but despair.
Crawford's statue of Washington is said to be the finest specimen of the kind extant, by the side of which that hobby-horse concern, Mill's Statue of President Jackson, in Washington is a miserable failure. The "horse" of Crawford is agreed to be above praise, while that of "Mills," in front of the President's house is said to be a ewe-necked tacky, a mealy-mouthed, wall-eyed brute, who looks as if old Jackson, in the language of a Tennessee poet:
"Had placed on him a bridle and a saddle,
Then on his back had leapt astraddle."
and had been ever since fastened there by iron rods, which are said to run up the horse's hind legs, keeping him on an equipoise, and forever facing the White House.
Among those who were attracted to Richmond was Howe, but what, (if any) impressions were made on his mind, is not known, as he has since observed a severe silence.
I was not surprised to learn of the rage for fashion and extravagance in Washington. It is always so with the parvenues, whether in Washington or on 5th Avenue. The "new-rich" have no other way of bringing themselves into notice and contempt. They constitute a beastly crew, who change their principles much oftener than their linen. I cordially participate in your feelings of disgust for such a gang.
Betty joins me in affectionate salutations. Hoping to hear from you soon, I am dear Uncle, as ever,
Your affectionate nephew
John Lewis Peyton.
Thos. P. Lewis, Esq.,}
War Department, }
Washington, D. C. }