RICHMOND COUNTY. 507 



Presbyterians, Christians, Roman Catholics, Universalists, Uni- 

 tarians and Jews. 



Character of the People, Literature. — Few sections 

 of Georgia can produce a more patriotic and intelligent po- 

 pulation than this county. In Augusta monuments of their 

 enterprise and benevolence are seen in every direction. 



There are few places which can boast of a greater number 

 of men profoundly versed in the various departments of learn- 

 ing than Augusta. We might mention their names ; but we 

 forbear, lest we might be charged with partiality in inserting 

 some and neglect in omitting others. In no place in the Uni- 

 ted States, have we met with gentlemen more extensively read 

 in polite literature, and more deeply learned in the professions 

 of law, medicine, and theology, than in Augusta. 



The newspapers, of which there are three or four, are ably 

 conducted, and have a very extensive circulation. The 

 Southern Medical and Surgical Journal is published in Augusta. 

 The book-stores are large. A Library Society has recently 

 been formed. 



Eminent Men. — The hst of eminent men which Richmond 

 county has furnished is long, but a few only of their names 

 can be mentioned. 



Richard Henry Wilde resided for many years in Augusta, 

 and possessed in a very great degree the confidence of his fel- 

 low-citizens. Under great disadvantages he acquired an edu- 

 cation, and was admitted to the practice of the law before he 

 was 21 years of age, in 1809. The alleviating law first afforded 

 Mr. Wilde an opportunity of displaying his talents. To this 

 law he was warmly opposed, and his arguments on the sub- 

 ject are acknowledged to have been the product of a very 

 superior mind. About this time he was appointed Attorney 

 General. In 1815 he was elected to Congress, again in 

 1828, and for several euccessive terms, until 1835, when 

 he sailed for Europe, and spent two years in travelling in Eng- 

 land, France, and Belgium. He remained three years in Flo- 

 rence, occupied in literary pursuits. Mr. Wilde is well known 

 as the author of a work on the Love and Madness of Tasso, 

 and of some beautiful lines beginning, " My life is like the 

 summer rose." Twenty years after these lines had been before 

 the public, Mr. Wilde was charged witli%)lagiarism. The lite- 



