great of Virginia deign this magnanimous descent? When will our Leigh, our Tazewell, our Barbour, our Rives, our Johnson, our Stanard, our Robertson--a generous spirit, from whose devotion to democracy, something might be expected towards fitting his countrymen for self government--when will they, and the host of talents besides that Virginia possesses, be found striving in this noble race of usefulness with Brougham, Jeffrey, McIntosh, Webster and Everett? That trumpet-call of the North American Review five years ago, which might have roused apathy itself to energetic effort in the cause of Popular Education, and which--whether it _betokened_ only, or _strengthened_, the beneficent operation of the spirit that has so long been diffusing through the North the blessed light of MIND--doubtless met a response in every Northern bosom; that trumpet-call, in Virginia, fell upon senseless ears. You indeed, I remember, echoed it; but trumpet-call and echo both, sounded in ears deaf save to the miserable wranglings of party, about the more miserable pretensions of opposing candidates: and, at this day, our people, and their leaders, are in a slumber as profound on this subject, as if we had no Literary Fund--no Primary Schools--no youth to educate--no country to save from the certain fate of popular ignorance. [Footnote 3: Dr. Johnson.] It is bed time, and I must forbear saying more at present. Yet I have not done with New England: there remain several topics, which I incline to touch. So you shall hear from me at my next stopping place. * * * * * _West Point, N. Y., July 28._