anecdotes, drawn from his memoir in the Watchman of the South. In speaking of the excitement and noise at a protracted meeting, he remarked, "I was reminded of what I have noticed in the woods: when the wind blows hard, the dry leaves make a great deal more noise than the green ones." When persons scoffed at his religion, his usual diffidence and reserve would give way to a firm and dignified defence, and most happily would he "answer a fool according to his folly." A person addicted to horse-racing and card-playing stopped him one day on the road, and said—“ Old man, you Christians say a great deal about the way to heaven being very narrow. Now, if this be so, a great many who profess to be travelling it will not find it half wide enough." That's very true," was the reply, "of all who have merely a name to live, and all like you." "Why refer to me?" asked the man ; "if the road is wide enough for any, it is for me." "By no means," replied Uncle Jack; "when you set out you will want to take along a card-table, and a race-horse or two. Now, there's no room along this way for such things, and what would you do, even in heaven, without them?" An individual accustomed to treat religion rather sportively, and who prided himself upon his morality, said to him, "Old man, I am as good as I need be; I can't help thinking so, because God blesses me as much as he does you Christians, and I don't know what more I want than he gives me." To this the old preacher replied, with great seriousness, "Just so with the hogs. I have often looked at them, rooting among the leaves in the woods, and finding just as many acorns as they needed; and yet I never saw one of them look up to the tree from whence the acorns fell." In speaking of the low state of religion, he said, "there seems to be great coldness and deadness on the subject of religion everywhere; the fire has almost gone out, and nothing is left but a few smoking chumps, lying about in places."

The laws of Virginia prohibit religious as well as other assemblies of slaves, unless at least two white persons are present. Such, however, was the universally acknowledged happy influence of Uncle Jack's meetings, that in his case it was not deemed necessary to enforce the law. On one occasion, some mischievous persons undertook to arrest and whip him and several of his hearers. After the arrest, one of the number thus accosted Uncle Jack: " Well, old fellow, you are the ringleader of all these meetings, and we have been anxious to catch you; now, what have you got to say for yourself?"" 66 Nothing at all, master," was the reply. "What! nothing to say against being whipped! how is that?" "I have been wondering for a long time," said he, "how it was that so good a man as the Apostle Paul should have been whipped three times for preaching the gospel, while such an unworthy man as I am should have been permitted to preach for 20 years, without ever getting a lick." It is hardly necessary to add, that these young men immediately released him.

His influence over the members of his church was almost unbounded. As evidence of the fact, take the following :

A gentleman who resided in the neighborhood, on walking out over his farm, detected one of his servants, who belonged to Uncle Jack's flock, in some very improper conduct. The only notice he took of it, was to threaten that he would inform that spiritual man. When he arose on the following morning and came to the door, he found this servant waiting and anxious to see him. "Why, Tom," said he, "what is the matter; why don't you go to your work?" "Why, master," replied the servant, "if you would please whip me yourself, and don't tell Uncle Jack."

We would like to extend this notice, but want of space forbids. Uncle Jack died at the age of nearly 100 years. He was one of those characters, that, under propitious circumstances, might have left an undying name. But in the limited sphere of his influence, his humble and consistent life won for him the affections of the best people in the community

AMHERST.

AMHERST was formed in 1761, from Albemarle. It is about 22 miles long, and 19 wide. The James River forms its sw. and sɛ. boundary, and the Blue Ridge its northwest. The James River Canal passes through the SE. part of the county. The soil is naturally fertile, and of a dark, rich, red hue, and the scenery

beautifully diversified. Pop. in 1830, 12,072; in 1840, whites 6,426, slaves 5,577, free colored 373; total, 12,576.

Amherst C. H., on the road from Lynchburg to Charlottesville, about 15 miles N. of the former, and New Glasgow, are small villages.

Pass of the James River through the Blue Ridge.

The pass of the James River through the Blue Ridge, is on the line of this and the county of Rockbridge. There a canal, seven miles in length, has been constructed around Balcony Falls, which will form the bed of the James River Canal, whenever that work is continued westward. The stage road from Lynchburg to the Natural Bridge winds along the side of the mountain, through wild and romantic scenery, which, to the lowlander accustomed only to the flatlands and pine-barrens of eastern Virginia, is striking. As he enters the gap from the east, the road gradually

follows its tortuous course up the mountain's side, until it gains an elevation of hundreds of feet above the river, which it appears to nearly overhang. Gigantic mountains hem him in on every side; while far, from the dark ravine below, comes up the roar of the rapids. A little mountain rivulet, from amid the primeval forest, dashes across his path, and, leaping from rock to rock, hurries on to swell the stream below. Emerging from the pass, a beautiful and fertile country opens before him, and still westward the blue outlines of distant mountains in Rockbridge meet his view.

AUGUSTA.

AUGUSTA was formed from Orange, in 1738. "Previously, all that part of Virginia lying west of the Blue Ridge was included in Orange; but in the fall session of this year it was divided into the counties of Frederick and Augusta. Frederick county was bounded by the Potomac on the north, the Blue Ridge on the east, and a line to be run from the head spring of Hedgman to head spring of the Potomac, on the south and west; the remainder of Virginia, west of the Blue Ridge, to constitute Augusta. This immense territory, at the present time, comprises four entire states, and nearly 40 counties in western Virginia. As the population increased, the limits of Augusta were reduced until it reached its present boundaries in 1790." It is about 35 miles long, and 30 broad. The surface is generally uneven, and in the E. and w. mountainous. There are, however, some extensive bottoms of very fertile land. It is drained by tributaries of the James and Shenandoah rivers. Pop. 1830, 19,925; 1840, whites 15,072, slaves 4,145, free colored 421; total 19,628.

There are several fine villages in the county, besides the large and flourishing town of Staunton. Greenville and Middlebrook, the first 12 miles ssw. and the last 11 miles sw. of Staunton, contain each about sixty dwellings. Waynesboro', at the western base of the Blue Ridge, on the main stage road from Charlottesville to Staunton, 12 miles easterly from the latter, is a wealthy and flourishing village, containing about 100 dwellings. Mount Sydney, 10 miles NE. of Staunton, contains about 40 dwellings. Mount Solon, Spring Hill, Mount Meridian, and New Hope, are small places, at the first of which there is considerable manufacturing carried on. There the Moss Creek Spring rises from a hill, and furnishes the power for a forge, a furnace, and 1 paper and 1 merchant mill.

The Augusta Springs are 12 miles NW. of Staunton. The water is strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen, and is said to equal the celebrated springs of Harrowgate, England. The improvements at this place are ample, and the situation extremely

picturesque. About 12 miles sw. of Staunton, is one of those ebbing and flowing springs, so common in western Virginia.

Staunton, the county-seat, lies 116 ms. northwesterly from Richmond, 163 from Washington City, on one of the extreme head branches of the E. fork of Shenandoah River, in a fine valley between the Blue Ridge and north mountain chains.

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, at Staunton, Va.

It contains 1 newspaper printing office, 2 female seminaries, 2 male academies, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Episcopal, 1 Lutheran, and 1 Methodist church, and a population of about 2,200. It has many mercantile and mechanical establishments, and does a large business with the surrounding country. An excellent mac

adamised road leads from here to Winchester. The Western Lunatic Asylum is located at this place, and is a noble pile of brick buildings. By the U. S. census of 1840, the whole number of insane and idiotic persons in Virginia was 892, or 1 to every 866 persons. The Virginia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, has been established within a few years. A beautiful brick building is now erecting for it, near the town, on an elevated and picturesque site. By the U. S. census for 1840, the number of deaf and dumb in the state was 603, or 1 to every 2,056 of the population; the number of blind 802, or one to every 1390 of the population.

"When Tarleton, in the war of the revolution, pursued the legisture to Charlottesville, to which place they had adjourned from Richmond, they again fled and met at Staunton, where they finished their session. At some future day it will probably become the seat of government. It was at this place that two large conventions were held, to deliberate on forming the constitution of Virginia. The last met in July, 1825, and made an appeal to the legislature, who thereupon submitted the question to the people, and it finally resulted in the adoption of the new constitution.'

This county has been the birth-place or the residence of several prominent characters. Among them may be mentioned the Hon. Daniel Sheffey; Gen. Robert Porterfield, a gallant officer of the revolution; and Judge Archibald Stuart, father of the Hon. Alex. H. H. Stuart.

DANIEL SHEFFEY was born at Frederick, Md., in 1770, and was bred a shoemaker, in his father's shop. His education was inconsiderable; but possessing an ardent desire for knowledge, he passed his leisure in reading, and became particularly fond of astronomical and mathematical studies. Arrived at manhood, he travelled on foot, with his "kit" on his back, to Winchester. From thence he walked through the valley of Virginia, stopping at various villages on his route, and earning sufficient money by his trade, to pay his expenses, until he at last arrived at Abbeville, Wythe county. He was a stranger, friendless and destitute. "Here he commenced his trade once more. The novelty and originality of his character, and the flashes of genius which enlivened his conversation, often compelled his new-tried friends to look on the eccentric youth with wonder." Becoming popular, he was received into the office of Alexander Smyth, Esq., and after being admitted to the bar of Wythe county, was employed in the most important suits. After some years he settled in Staunton, and obtained a lucrative practice. He often represented Augusta in the House of Delegates, and, in 1811, was chosen as a member of Congress. "His speech, in favor of a renewal of the charter of the first bank of the United States, was a masterly combination of sound judgment and conclusive facts: for three hours profound silence reigned; and the most experienced statesmen were astonished at this exhibition of his talents." He was opposed to the declaration of war in 1812. On one occasion, he gave John Randolph, whose bitter sarcasm few could withstand, a most severe retort. In commenting upon a speech of Mr. Sheffey's, he said that "the shoemaker ought not to go beyond his last." In an instant Sheffey retorted, "if that gentleman had ever been on the bench, he never would have left it."

Mr. Sheffey was a plain man; his accent German, his pronunciation not agreeable; yet the most refined audience always paid him profound attention. He seized upon the strong points of a case, and maintained them with unconquerable zeal. "Like Patrick Henry, he was the artificer of his own fortune, and like him, in after-life, lamented that

* Kercheval's MSS. for a 2d edition of his History of the Valley.