There has never been a place like the comstock or a city like virginia or a gathering of brilliant men such as those who assembled there". So writes henry stoddard in this unforgettable memoir of virginia city, nevada.st...There has never been a place like the comstock or a city like virginia or a gathering of brilliant men such as those who assembled there". So writes henry stoddard in this unforgettable memoir of virginia city, nevada.stoddard is drawn to virginia city in the early 1860s.