Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-04-21

Try in the formation of an exalted
character, but from sentiments OF dc
licacy and honor carried to excess
sentiments which every days expert.
encc tended % correct, and which. il
fact were almos; entirely corrected.
Had he lived to the age of thirty, the
influence ofhis fathers example would
have been fully perceived, and uni
versally acknowledged.
He was indeed a young man, from
whom much might be expected: from
whom, In the estimation of the pub
lie much was expected. His charac-
ter was strongly marked, and was pre-,
sented to view, in all its parts, with
out covering or disguise. His under
standing naturally strong, had been
assiduously cultivated, and greatly
improved. His intellectual resources
were always at his command, and
were displayed in all their variety and
extent, In public debate, with that sort
OF ardent and impressive eloquence, to
which the Judgment surrenders after
the feelings have been made captive.
AS speaker, Lewis Harvie had at
tanned great eminence m defiance of
some very obvious defects. His at
titude was not commanding his ges-
ture was not graceful his voice was
sometimes harsh and his eye too of.
ten expressed anger, or contempt for
his opponents. These defects howe
yer became daily less visible. He
was conscious Of them, and in time
they would have been removed. But
even when they were at their height,
he was ALWAYS an interesting & some
times most impressive and power
fnl speaker. The floor of popular
assembly was the theatre on which he
seemed destined to act great charar-
ter thro' life. The energy Of his mind.
the ardor of his feelings, his lively fau-
CIV, hisprompt & forcible elocutiou, his
extensive knowledge, united with uu-
devlating hrmness, would have secur-
ed to him before many wears had pass
ed away, the highest of all honors,
the esteem and confidence OF his coun-
rrymer. Excellent as these materi-
ais may be deemed; the foundation on
which they rested was infinitely bet
ter. Lewis Harvie was an honorable
man. His heart swelled with consci-
BUSINESS ofrectitude neutrality-suspicious.,
& he would not have sacrificed a sen
timent which it cherished, for any
consideration, which fortune can pre-
sent for the intimidation or seduction
of mankind.
He retained the full use of his IA
culties, even after lingering illness
of 8 months. He attended the coun-
Gil, OF which he was a member, as
long as he had strength to ascend to
their chamber in the Capitol. When
he had finished this fatiguing Journey
he would lie on the council table un.
til his strength and respiration return.
ed. Ii was during bis last visit, that
he is said, after being assisted to his
seats, for he was obliged to occup,
more than one, to have made twc
speeches, which for their precision
Perspicuitv and force, impressed hi,
auditors with belief that his talent.
were improved, even in a greater dc
gree than his body had decayed.
I saw him for the last time on tn,
Sunday before his departure from this
city. Notwithstanding ,he obviou,
change in his appearance, notwith
, standing his colorless face and emaci
ated limbs, could rot believe that p,
was desperately i'll. His temper wa.
f so cheerful, his mind so vigorous, hi
remarks on a late decision of the Su
preme Court, so luminous, and forci
| bly, expressed, that his sympathyzinj
physician and friend could not extin
, guish the hope, which had been excit
, ed, that he might yet recover. Blu
this hope, and all other hopes of whicl
f. he was the object, are extinguishe'
forever!