The little city, so soon to become the storm centre of the South, was at that time a town of some twelve thousand inhabitants, but made the proud boast of being the richest for its size in the country. A newspaper writer of the day thus describes it: “The principal streets are wide and well improved, the stores and other houses for the transaction of business are large, commodious and handsome.... In regard to the private residences of the well-to-do portion of the population, too much cannot be said in their praise. A large number of them present much architectural skill and beauty, surrounded by capacious grounds, handsomely ornamented with the rarest shrubbery known to the South.” [Illustration: THE POLLARD RESIDENCE, BUILT BEFORE THE WAR.] Another visitor was impressed with the numerous “residences of gentlemen who own plantations in the hotter and less healthful parts of the State. Many of these have been educated in the older States, and with minds enlarged and liberalized by travel, they form, with their families, a cultivated and attractive society.” [Illustration: MONUMENT TO CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS ERECTED ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS BY THE LADIES’ MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION.] Here assembled, on February 4, 1861, the delegates from the Southern States that had seceded, and, amidst scenes still familiar to all Americans, they proceeded to organize the Confederate Government. The excitement culminated with the arrival and inauguration of Mr. Davis. An enormous crowd escorted him from the depot to the Exchange Hotel, where he was welcomed by Mr. Yancey in an apt little speech containing the famous words “The man and the hour have met.” The ceremony of inauguration took place February 18th in front of the capitol. The enthusiasm was unbounded. One who was present declared years afterwards: “I never before or since that hour so experienced the ecstasy of patriotism.” At 10 o’clock in the morning Mr. Davis left the Exchange in a carriage drawn by six white horses. A vast throng escorted him up Dexter Avenue to the capitol. [Illustration: JEFFERSON DAVIS.] “After he took his seat on the platform in front of the capitol,” wrote an eye-witness, “and a short prayer had been offered, he read a very neat little speech, not making many promises, but hoping by God’s help to be able to fulfill all expectations. He took the oath amidst the deepest silence; and when he raised his hand and his eyes to heaven, and said ‘so help me God,’ I think I never saw any scene so solemn and impressive.”