bration-A daughter of Massachusettsthe time-honoured and patriotic State which annually assembles her children around the ice-bound base of Plymouth Rock, and there teaches them to worship at a country's shrine, would here tender in the presence of this honoured company her gratitude for the privilege of assembling with them around the altar where Freedom and a Nation first sprang to light.

Sent by Miss M *****-To the memory of Pocahontas, a moral heroine in the cause of the earliest settlers of Virginia, and the first convert from the Indian tribes to civilization and Christianity.

By Geo. T. Wittington-The Union— It may be scathed by the lightning and rocked to its foundation by the stormcloud of political passion, but true patriotism may never despair of its perpetuity.

Ey Wm. Y Fendall-The Press-It

has vindicated and borne the name and fame of our Republic, wherever the light of civilization has penetrated. Let it ever be honoured as a safeguard of liberty.

By D. H. Wood—James Barron Hope, the Poet of the Day-He has invested the realities of history with the poetry of Romance, and entwined a wreath of beauty around the memories of Jamestown.

By John Thompson-The North-Western States-They owe their existence to the disinterested munificence of Virginia. Is it disinterestedness that allows them to become enriched and strengthened upon the public treasure, while she is taxed and crippled?

By H. M. Morfit-The landing of the cavaliers in the New World-The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States; the three great events that have given most freedom, prosperity, and happiness to the family of mankind.

By W. L. Broun-The Ladies of Virginia-While their faults are as small as their bonnets, their virtues even exceed the dimensions of their skirts.

By Jno. T. Chancey-The Constitution of the United States-So long as it shall

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remain unprofaned, there will be no danger to the Union.

By J. D. Wood-The Orator of the Day-The accomplished orator and statesman-Long may he live an ornament to Virginia and to the country.

By Virgil D. Parris, of Maine-Virginia-The star which in the darkest hour of the Revolution made surrounding "darkness visible," and guided our country to its political redemption.

By Jas. W. Atkinson-The 1st Regiment Virginia Volunteers, and their gal lant commander, Col. Cary-Their soldierlike bearing evinces a high degree of military skill, and proves that they are fully able to maintain the glorious motto of the Old Dominion, "Sic Semper Tyrannis."

By C. W. C. Dunnington-Wm. AllenThe proprietor of the site of JamestownMay the pilgrims of 1957 meet with as "hospitable a reception as we have.

By Fendall Marbury--The District of Columbia-The political centre of the Republic.

By J. D. Smallwood---The true-hearted Virginia gentleman of the olden time, unacquainted with trade and trick-the chevalier Bayard---sans peur et sans reproche.

By J. Carroll Brent---The North and the South-The presence of one of Maine's distinguished sons on this occasion, proves that the Union is yet dear in the hearts of their citizens.

This toast was responded to by Virgil D. Parris, Esq., of Maine, who said that when the time arrived, Maine would be found side by side with Virginia, in upholding the interests of the Union, and putting down fanaticism.

By Col. McNair---Francis McNerhany, Navy Agent--The stores and supplies of our Navy are safe in his keeping.

Mr. McNerhany responded in a few romarks.

By C. A. Dunnington-Pocahontas--A forest Rose, diffusing the sweet odor of rarest virtues, and ever fragrant in the memory of Virginia.

By Thos. J. Galt---The Orator of the Day---A name high on the scroll of our country's fame; a statesman in whom we

recognize the virtue of the Roman, and the classic eloquence of the Greeks. One whom the "Old Dominion" is proud to call her son.

By James Grigg--Virginia--By the wisdom of her statesmen, and the valor of her patriots let her be judged, for her sons in the council and the field, gave to the country their best services, in constituting the fairest fabric of Republican government on earth.

By J. M. Jammeson--The Medical fraternity-While we honour the memories of those who banished political evils, let us not forget those who cure our physical evils.

This toast was responded to by Dr. Noble Young.

By George T. Whittington-Virginians in the great West-We are glad to have a Pilgrim with us, from the young State of Iowa, to his native soil.

Responded to by Colonel Harbor, of Iowa.

By Wm. Towers-The ancient Borough of Norfolk-Right glad are we to have a native representative among us. (Responded to by II. M. Morfit.)

By John T. Towers--Virginia and Maryland, sister States---May the purity associated with their names, ever be the characteristics of their motives and ac

tions.

ans, all the world over-"distinct as the billows, yet one as the sea."

NOTE. In 1854, the Jamestown Society was organized by the adoption of a constitution, and the election of Thomas Ritchie, President; A. Henderson, Vice President; John W. Maury, Treasurer; C. W. C. Dunnington, Recording Secretary; Rev. T. B. Balch, Corresponding Secretary; Wm. M. Overton, E. A. Cabell, Wm. Towers, Thomas J. Massie, and Thomas Lumpkin, Executive Committee.

In the first published address of the Society they declared that, "The Jamestown Society of Washington has taken the initiative only because no movement was made in any other quarter. Virginia ought to be the seat of the principal Society; and all other associations, having for their object the celebration of the settlement of Jamestown, ought to be auxiliary to it, whether in towns or States. And this Society most earnestly recommends such a course, disclaiming all intention to make the association of Washington the central one, under the conviction that the head should be at the capitol of Virginia."

The 13th of May, 1854, was celebrated by an oration delivered by Rev. Thos. B. Balch, and a banquet in the City of Washington.

April 21st, 1855, Philip R. Fendall was elected President of the Society in place of Thomas Ritchie, deceased.

The 13th May, 1855, was celebrated by an oration delivered at Mount Vernon, by G. W. P. Custis, concluding with a dinner at the White House.

NIGHT! Grand, glorious, beautiful night! What solemn hush, what impressive stillness, as though Earth held her breath, listening for her Maker's voice, as of old she heard it, ere her echoes had caught a curse of sin, or a wail of sorrow:-As though the Universe itself were one great temple, and this the hour for all nature's worship. The stars hang aloft, and light it well; the flowers wave their incense in the air, while the manytoned winds give forth their grand diapasons, in anthems of praise, to him at whose call they sweep o'er lands and seas. At such an hour, there needs no church going bell to entreat the heart to pray; for who has not felt, as though an angel's voice proclaimed, "The Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him!" How eloquent is the preaching of those quiet, silent stars, and how many lessons of deep wisdom may we learn from their unvarying, unfaltering course. We may not find in them a horoscope for others, but we may learn so to forecast and order our own actions, as to gain a clear assurance of their end and final consummation." Obedient ever, they pursue their own appointed way-"unresting, unhasting"--onward

ever.

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What thoughtful mind can dwell upon the starry firmament on high, and catch even a faint understanding of its complex arrangement, without a wondering recollection of the omniscience which marked out each luminous orbit, gave the mighty machinery its first impetus, and through countless ages, has kept it ever moving, and ever good," as it was pronounced at first. What a sublime impression of stability, duration, they, above all created things, inspire. Old Ocean forsakes its bounds, leaving its hidden beauties, its coral reefs and caves, and sounding shells, trophies to the land. Mountains burst their heated bosoms and leave a void crater, where their veined hearts had been; earthquakes rend the shuddering world and engulph, swallow up, in their yawning abysses, the solid ground and breathing, citied space. Seas

have risen where towns had been; and lakes have sunk from sight, where once they laid in silvery brightness. Below, all things change; even if we do not look at the fleeting works of man, who makes a kaleidoscope of earth,--but above, as ages have seen, ages shall see them, till the voice 'twixt heaven and earth shall bid them, as a scroll, to roll away. Yes, we may indeed learn from the wide-spread book of heaven, illuminated by God himself, for "night unto night showeth know. ledge."

Cicero has well said, "an astronomer must of necessity be either a believer in a God, or a madman." Did we all learn of these shining examples, how calmly, how orderly and how efficiently would we run our own course of duty, and earth might again present a scene as fair as that on which the morning stars looked down, and "sang together." We see no clashing there of wills, interests or duties; no delay, no hurrying or unwise exertion; no interference or unbecoming action,--each knows its own place, and gives forth unstinting and steadily its full measure of light, not jealously cavilling, that one star differeth from anoth. er in glory." Does one think he could fill another, a wider sphere, better than that in which he has been placed? Let him look up to the smallest, feeblest orb visible to the naked eye, and watch it, keeping steadily its own, well ordered place, and there, shining its brightest-knowing it can only reflect what it receives--and would be worse than unwise, to quit its proper orbit or cease revolving there. Does another think no light has been vouchsafed to him; therefore he is accountable for none-to "shine before the world?" Let him remember the telescopic view shows many a star unseen by the natural, unassisted vision, but each doing still faithfully its share, small though it be, of the great Master's work,even so, let him discern the truth, with "faith's illumined eye," that God has made nothing for nothing or unaccount. able,--but will require some return for even the feeblest ray divine, which has

ever shone upon his soul. May not those too, who know they have been cast in the common mould of the undistinguished throng, conscious of no peculiar powers, no peculiar duties, take some comfort to their humbled hearts, in gazing on that faint, long, mazy "milky way," where there is no perceptible light, emanating separately from each, and no apparent use, in any? For all this, they do not mix in jarring confusion or clashing violence, and each must radiate a little light, for together they mark a luminous path towards her

Morn broke over Jamestown Island, slowly purpling all the landscape, shelving beach and crumbling turret, till at last the May-day sun streamed across the spreading wheat-fields, in a flood of golden splendour; and upon the slumberous silence, pealed the heavy signal gun. Five times fifty years had glided over earthly states and kingdoms, since the keels of Smith and Gosnold there had grated on the sand; when the sons of Old Virginia came, with pomp and martial music, to commemorate the virtues of that little pilgrim band. Out upon the tawny river, (for the tide that day had borrowed, as in token of the Red Man, just the Indian's copper hue,) lay a fleet of yatchts and steamers, gay with flags, from staff and topmast,-stars and stripes and proud Sic Semper, shining on a field of blue. Soon the passengers were landed, and into the silent grave-yard passed the throng, to muse and ponder on the graves amid its gloom;

while the daily press reporters copied all the pompous Latin of the dim and quaint inscriptions carved upon each shattered tomb. Some, in sacrilegious fury, hammered on the hallowed marble, to obtain a precious relic of the spot whereon they sat;* others, for a fend memento, took a brick from off the tower; but the brick, in many an instance, got into the pilgrim's hat! ́

Then the throng moved slowly onward to the place of celebration, two miles distant from the landing-oh, that long and dusty tramp! who did not, with Mariana, cry, "Oh! dear, I am aweary!" ere he saw far off the whitely gleaming canvass of the camp? There the gallant Richmond soldiers, marshalled under Col. Cary, marched about to lively music, played on silver instruments; all around was their encampment, pitched in military order, and their war-like satisfaction seemed to all to be in tents, (intense!)

Soon, as grew the day more fervid, on there came a small procession, 'armin-arm some five and twenty gentlemen in suits of black; and among them one whose boyhood had been spent beneath Mount Vernon's/sacred roof, a reverend signior, walking down the dusty track. All behind them poured the thousands, covered with the white piepoudre, looking very vexed and heated,-men and maidens, youth and years; and with rare 'sonorous metal blowing martial sounds" like fury, strong in numbers, fuss and feathers, came the Portsmouth Volunteers!

16

Presently drove up a carriage, filled with grace and wit and beauty,-ladies fair and tall civilian, this the orator they said; and, indeed, 'twas Mr. Tyler, straight and dignified and stately, with the speech in his portfolio, and his hat upon his head. Then there gathered round the platform all the soldiers and the people, while the band played Hail Columbia, with a patriotic din; and the moment this was ended, 'twas announced to all that straightway, with a solemn invocation, the proceedings would begin. Then arose from earth to heaven, accents of sincere thanksgiving, and an humble plea for mercy to the KING OF KINGS on bigh He who watched above our fathers, with a tender loving-kindness, in those fearful forest vigils which they kept in days gone by.

Now a hum of expectation ran throughout the large assembly, as before them Mr. Tyler forward stepped upon the stage; and the daily press reporters spread their sheets of yellow paper, and caught up their trusty pencils in a stenographic rage. 'Twas a very long oration, read,-why did he not declaim it?-and the noon-tide being sultry, its effect was somewhat tame, but at times the voice unshaken, rising with the theme majestic,

reached the melody and measure of his Senatorial fame: and when all the fire and feeling of his nature energetic, in a more commanding diction found at last a fitting vent, some who heard him were reminded of the brilliant early triumphs, at the bar, and on the hustings, of the "old man eloquent."

When the orator concluded, there was very loud applauding, and another burst of bugles from the soul-inspiring band: then, with hair in wild disorder and his eyes ('neath gold-rimmed glasses) in poetic frenzy rolling, our young poet took the stand. As the tuneful Chiabobos sang of war and gentle woman to the dusky braves around him, with the music of the reed-as the pleasant Minnesinger sang of love and knightly daring, in the long and pensive twilights of the Nibelungen Lied-so our gifted Jamestown minstrel sang of Smith the stalwart Captain, sang the strange and sad adventures of the beauteous Indian bride,' mingling thus the feudal story with our own romantic legends in the song of Pocahontas early-lost and sanctified: sang our much-loved Old Dominion, sang its past unfaded glory, and in bard-like strain prophetic cast its shining horoscope, till the listening crowd enraptured burst into a general plaudit, and declared our Hampton poet had not proved a barren hope.

There the speaking programme ended, but the people much excited, with at least five hundred voices, frantically called for "Wise!" and the governor came forward 'mid the furious acclamations, thunder seated on his forehead, lightning gleaming from his eyes. 'Twas a little speech he made us, but the words were fitly spoken, golden apples, silver pictures, only they were very few; and our chieftain left the platform, went among his standing army drawn up on the field of clover, waiting for the grand review.