Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-23
FOR THE ARGUS.

FOR THE ARGUS.
Amid the general gloom which pervades our
city, we should 10 in justice to our feelings, Il
we did not pay separate tribute 10 The me
mOyy Of Miss Sarah Chevaie Conycrs. Seldom
indeed has society been called on to deplore the
loss Of an individual of finer accomplishments
or of understandable virtues. With her we have
been deprived of one Of the fairest flowers of
Virginia in the sprightly morning &C its youth,
Wills; surrounded by every thing that could
contribute TO render life desirable Among her
numerous acquaintance, there is not heart
tilat does not bleed over thc calamity, nor an
eye that does not stream with tears in memory
of her merit. It's the remembrance only of
her virtues that can shed q ray Of comfort to
those friends we have offered them the p,rest
sympathicS Of the heart, hut alas sympathy can
scarcely soften tic anguish of him of whose de-
ciiniag years she was tie youthful comforter,
and for whom her bosom g'owed with all the
sacred sensation Of 6lial piety, nor soothe the
sorrows fhim 10 whom she was bound by the
ties OF 4 still softer sympathy. How bright
were their prospects OF intellectual Happiness !
Hut on ! how changed-how fallen !!
Miss Conyers had Just attained her 20tl,
year, and was distinguished for personal as well
mental charms. To features that were hand
some, she united most lovely expression of
countenance. It.wore lustrc or it expressive
of the generous divinity OF the soul that sat en-
throned within. Her opinions were perhaps
too refined for the world We dwell in, yet her
conversation was extremely captivating; for
there was feeling melody in her voice, and
her sentiments combined refinement with the
candid truth of rural innocence. Her manners
were little reserved, but they were sweet and
| fascinating, and possessed kind of magnetical
attraction. that won the affections of every con.
dition OF liie from the lisping of infancy to the
Il
full OF the noble, ingenious ardor of youth
=" There was grace in her step, heaven in her
"eye, in all her gestures, dignity and love"
| IN early youth she was not attached to light
| amusements, bat employed her time i'll attain
| ing some pleasing accomplishment of the Iajnd
! She was very fond Of polite literature, and was
acquainted with the French, Spanish and Italian
languages -NIusic was also favorite pursuit,
and she played with exquisite taste upon the
Harp and the Forte Piano. In drawing, too
/ she has left specimens of her skill that are adj
| inired and valued by her friends.
| To these accompls bments, Miss Conyers
| united temper as mild and gentle as the gale
| of spring. 1t was so placid and benign, that ii
| was said to be lovely even in its frown Her
bosom was always glowing with generosity
| and she loved to praise the merits of others
| whilst she concealed her own with the sweet
| est molcsty. Her heart was the fountain of af
lection, and possessed all the finer feelings o.
the human soul, but her good sense acted rs
salutary curb on her acute sensibiitv, and arm
ed her with becoming forttude. She possess
ed szreet-sou!eI ticty and genuine 6erevo!ence
that extended the hand of sympathy TO the af
flicted, and of charity to the distressed. M
soul was ever more grateful to those who were
kind to her, and none ever took liveiier int
rest in the happiness of her friends. Her dis
position, which was naturally little pensive
had been rendered still more serene and plain
tive by delicate health. But the loveliest at
tribute OF her character, was her fOndness foi
domestic life, for she preferred tlis social circl,
of her family and friends, to all the pomp anC
vanity of the world.
Her attachments possessed 4 secret yet sub
lime enthusiasm, and her friendships every cha
racteristic excellence that ever distinguished
that most amiable of social virtues " Som,
are warm but volatile and inconstant, hers wa
warm too, but steady and Interchangeable" In
deed there was something so peculiar and stri
king in her character, and the admiral ion which
it excited was SO just and general that the fond
ness OF friendship can say but little to encreast
1T. To lose such a being-at such time--sC
unexpectedly-in the most interesting period O
life, when the most anxious sensibilties of he
bosom were alive for congenal spirit, who il
lett to dePlore her loss, must sharpen the poig
nancy OF regret in every soul of feeling. Uat
she descended less immatureIy to the tomb
had her virtues and talents been permitted t
shoot and expand themselves in administering
the moralityofthe parental board, the keennes,
Of the calamity might have been in some small
degree alleviated by the reflection that the or
binary period Of human life had passed away
and those expectations realized which had beeI
promised to the world by the dawn of her youth
But alas even this feeble consolation has be
denied, for it has pleased Divine Providence e
call her in the bloom Of youth and adolescence
to happier and better world.