round his mental vision. Here he could find no mention of turkeys; but he alighted upon a form of warrant to search for a stolen cow. Having explained to applicant the legal difficulties surrounding the case, he suddenly assumed a reflective attitude, and, after a few moments' consideration, overcame them thus "I will give you a warrant for a cow; and, if in searching for a cow, you find the turkey, you may take possession, and bring it and the thief before me!" By this and similar exercises of his judicial functions, the civic dignitary attained and retained his popularity, not only by the dispensation of justice, but by furnishing amusement for his constituents. Some years ago two lawyers named M'Rae and M'Craw, were members of the Executive Council of Richmond. Rotation in that office was then regulated, not by a term of service, but by a rule, that triennially one of the members should be elected out by a joint vote of the Senate and delegates. The least popular member would, of course, by this means obtain a majority. This ostracising process was termed "scratching." On one occasion the contest lay between the parties alluded to, who divided the negative votes between them, so that, when the ballot-papers were read, the monotonous and uneuphonious patronymics of "M'Rae, M'Craw," "M'Craw, M'Rae," came in continued succession. The ludicrous effect created on the occasion caused a votary of the Muses, who was present in the gallery, to scribble the following parody, in imitation of Swift, which is still preserved : 66 Hurray for M'Rae and Hurrau for M'Craw! This M'Rae was subsequently appointed United States' Consul at Paris, which post he held until his death. I shall both wind up this chapter, and my sketches of ancient Richmond notorieties, with a brief account of an attorney and his client. Mr. Call, an able and distinguished lawyer, was a person of sharp intellect, but extraordinary physique. He was tall and thin, and so loosely jointed that when he essayed to walk his head moved from shoulder to shoulder. When he sat his legs would become twisted round each other, and his jaws even seemed to partake of the general relaxation. Once, whilst in his office, a boorish ATTORNEY AND CLIENT. 95 The client entered and found him writing. stranger took a seat, and, after informing the lawyer that he came to consult him on a subject of some importance, observed— "My father died and made a will.” "You say," remarked the lawyer, writing steadily, "your father died and made a will?” "Yes, sir, my father died and made a will.” 66 tion. Humph!" still writing and paying no atten "I say, will." 66 Mr. Call, my father died and made a Very strange!" writing, and not noticing his client. "Mr. Call, I say again," taking out his purse, and placing a fee on the table, "my father made a will and died." "Oh, now we may understand each other!" said the lawyer, all attention, "your father made a will before he died. Why didn't you say so at first? Well, now, go on, let's hear." Grotesque Uniforms-"Faro Banks"-An Alarm-A Soldier-Bishop-" For Rent"-Hôtel Life" Message of Old Abe"-The "Bars"-Governor Letcher-An Expedition-Prizes "The French Lady"-" Getting up a Regiment-Female Industry-A Tornado in Camp-The Bivouac-Public Markets-The Game of "Loo❞—A Facile Introduction-The Barbacue Club-The Coloured Population-The "Invisible Lady "-Tom Moore's Eu logy. THE removal of the Confederate Government to Richmond, together with the propinquity of this city to the Seat of War, had wrought a wonderful and sudden transformation in the aspect of that place and people. The constant arrival and transit of troops, cavalry, infantry and artillery, kept up unflagging excitement, stimulated by the expectation of the Federal army marching upon GROTESQUE UNIFORMS. 97 the capital before ample preparations could be made to resist its encroachments. The town literally teemed with volunteers, and scarcely an individual was to be met with in the streets who did not wear a military or semi-military garb. Never, perhaps, were soldiers uniformed less uniformly, or with such utter disregard to outward appearances. It seemed to me as if a large quantity of odd garments had been got together by some means, and then indiscriminately dispensed to the troops; for I seldom found two articles of dress to harmonize, either in texture or colour, upon the same person. Numbers were confined to one regimental article, such as a coat or "pants;" not, however, because this grotesque habiliment would indicate that they were "citizen soldiers," but from sheer necessity. Some parties contented themselves with a cloth cap, ornamented with Confederate States' buttons, and a patentleather strap meant to fasten under the chin. Several officers wore epaulets attached to their civilian coats; and clergymen who had command of regiments drilled their men in long black surtouts, having gold stripes on the shoulders, and belts of the same material round the waist. The weapons of the Southern army were as diverse as their costumes, and both in many cases not of much worth. Over twenty thousand troops were VOL. I. H |