Had the thing been suffered to pass
unnoticed, I might have hoped at some time or other to gain some credit
for a speech when I saw an occasion offered to make one; and I have
vanity enough to believe that I could make a much better almost any day
of the week." He complains of the bad Latin the papers put in his mouth,
and of such expressions as "three twins," &c., &c. I grieve to think
that so few specimens of Mr. Tazewell's arguments are to be found in
print. I have heard from him year after year, in conversation, arguments
on current or general topics, which, if emblazoned through the press,
would make a fair reputation for a speaker, and he all unconscious at
the time that he was making any considerable effort.
[10] Ex-President Tyler, who was the third, was unexpectedly prevented
from being present: the Hon. George Loyall and the speaker were the
other two.
[11] In a note to a friend, written Christmas day, 1850, he speaks of
the Bible as "the good book," and says, "it has ever been regarded as
most precious."
[12] From letters in my possession, I could quote a dozen instances in
which he expresses his readiness to accept any office which the State
might confer upon him; but he did not desire any appointment State or
Federal; that he would seek none, but that he could not refuse his
services to Virginia when she required them.
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