Page:The Southern Literary Messenger - Minor.djvu/231

 Rh to execute the statue was this: Mr. B. B. Minor had in Tappahannock, Va., a school-mate, John Custis Darbey, of Richmond county. Darbey studied medicine and settled in Lexington, Ky., where he became distinguished and influential. He knew Hart's history, believed in his genius and resolved to befriend him. Hart prepared what was regarded by his friends as a model bust of Mr. Clay and brought it to Richmond, along with a letter of introduction and unreserved recommendation, from Dr. Darbey to Mr. Minor.

This letter, a careful examination of the model (for Mr. Minor was personally acquainted with Mr. Clay), and some study of the artist himself induced him to give his assistance to Mr. Hart. He had no voice in the matter, but put the sculptor in contact with those who had and after a full and fair investigation the contract was awarded to Hart. He also made a statue of Mr. Clay for New Orleans. We have seen his chef d'oeuvre, "The Triumph of Virtue," in the exposition of Louisville, whose ladies purchased it at a liberal price.

Of the poetry in this volume Susan Pleasants, now Mrs. Creswell, of Louisiana, is one author. Amie, T. Dunn English, Cameron Risque, Fanny Fielding and W. W. Turner are others.

The Editorial Table for May, 1860, opens thus: "The editorial conduct of this magazine will pass