Judge Thompson was on the bench, and around him Thos. J. Michie, A. H. H. Stuart, John B. Baldwin, David Fultz, H. W. Sheffey and a number of other gentlemen, all of whom together formed a notable group that would have made any forum illustrious. It is certainly a most fitting thing that the noble county of Augusta should have her Pantheon, in which shall be gathered the statues and likenesses of her great sons, in order that those who come after shall see the men who have given to her her proud pre-eminence among the counties of the "Old Dominion." Again thanking you for your kindness, and hoping to see you in a few days, I am, very truly yours, JOHN ECHOLS. Many other interesting letters have been received from distinguished gentlemen in different parts of the State, but neither time nor the limits of this pamphlet admit of their insertion. LETTERS FROM CONTEMPORARIES AT THE BAR. From a number of letters received from persons to whom Col. Preston's sketch was posted, nearly fifteen years ago, the following extracts are selected, because written by Mr. Peyton's colleagues at the bar. FROM JUDGE ALEXANDER RIVES. (FEDERAL JUDGE.) In a letter addressed to Hon. John L. Peyton, and dated Eastbourne, Charlottesville, Jan. 29th, 1881, Judge R. says: "There was no one at the bar, with whom I was associated, for whom I cherished the same admiration, respect and esteem, as for him. "So much of our State's worth and greatness was in the ranks of the bar and the bench, that I have felt it to be a shame to the State that it has never been chronicled, as it should have been, for after ages. Such men as Wickham, Leigh, and Johnson survive only in brief obituaries. I am glad your filial piety has, in some measure, rescued your father's name from that neglect." FROM JOHN B. MINOR, LL. D., PROFESSOR OF LAW, &C. University of Virginia, February 3d, 1881. _My Dear Sir_: I pray you to accept my thanks for the brief memoirs of your distinguished father, which you were so kind as to send me. It is very pleasing to have before my eyes the well remembered features, expression and attitude of a man for whom, through my whole professional life, I have cherished the most unreserved respect and admiration.