spasmodicality

— We can hardly tell which is the more wonderful, their abuse of us or their glorification of themselves. To read their glowing descriptions of life in Richmond, the angelic calmness and patience of the people, the wisdom, firmness, courage, fortitude and all the other virtues which, if we are to believe them, find there a congenial abode, and are momentarily displayed on every hand, one can hardly help breaking out in the words of the poet: “For, oh! if there is an Elysium on earth, / It is this; it is this.” The very spasmodicality (if we may coin a word,) of this self-laudation, is indicative of a great strain upon the nerves.