Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-12-16

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1919.
The following obituary notice was written
soon after the decease of the subject OF
It, and left at the Office for insertion, but
was accidentally mislaid.
Died, at his residence in Alexandra, on
Tuesday the LIST inst. Doctor GEORGE A.
THoRNTos. The fortitude with which he
resisted a complication Of diseases, each OF
which was sufficiently aggravated to subdue
ordinary patience, did not desert him in
the 6nal struggle; and those who looked
with agonizing sympathy upon his wasting
frame, perceived, with melancholy salts
faction, that the spirit which dwelt within,
remained tranquil and firm to the last.
His professional skill enabled him, at an
early stage of his illness, to anticipate its
fatal termination; buthe employed the con-
v:ction only to fit himself for future ex-
istence, and never suffered it to alarm the
anxious friends whom he had hitherto de-
lighted to benefit and to comfort.-Like
philosopher and christian, he prepared his
body for the earth, and his spirit tor hea-
ven,-yielding up his soul unagitated, save
by the disinity that stirred srithin him."
The professional loss which the district
has sustained by his death, needs no illus
tration. Though dying almost in the vigor
of youth, he had a reputation much more
extensive than the immediate sphere of his
labors; and few years would, probably,
have placed him among the first surgeons of
the age. Az an anatomist he is favorably
known in Philadelphia, where, for some
years, he dissected for the class under Doc
tor Wi,far. Though keenly alive to the
miseries of mankind, he operated with
steady and decisive hand, and thus mi:iga-
ted, by the rapidity and delicacy of his
course, the panes of the patient. His sur
gical enterprises accordingly, often Of the
most important and perilous nature, have
been signally successful.
In the regret for Doctor Thornton's I'M
timely death, which this view of his cha
racter inspires, the friends of humanity may
sympatbise with the faculty generally -
but there are lights in which he is presen-
ted to bis intimate acquaintance, much
more interesting and dear. His benevo-
lence was warm and active, and his sensi-
bility so acute that he was scarcely recon-
oiled to the practice ofhis profession, not
outstanding its beneficial results to his fell
low beings. He was often heard TO com.
plain that the misery he was compelled to
witness, and in many instances TO inBict,
would make an old mano of him in the prime
Of life. Muni6cent and public spirited, he
was most useful member of the commu-
nity.--Faithful to his friends, he enjoyed
The II re felicity Of being itLout enemies =
The dignity Of bis manners acquired uni
tersal respect, and the kindness Of his heart
attracted the love of all who knew him.
Simple and sincere, be held with his friends
the closest communion; frank and ANNA
ted, he gave his social qualities unbounded
play. In the relations CO domestic life he
was not less amiable and exemplary,--a
fond husband and father, and generous
master. These virtues are more generally
than justly selected as the common theme
Of obituary praise but when they are truly
applied, tkey form the purest eulogum that
can be pronounced on mere mortality; for
they constitute the basis of all private and
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. qualities are as
sumed from motives of policy and inte-
rest these are the transformations evi.
dences of the beart,-the exact lights and
shades which give to the portraiture of the
soul its highest relief.
Gould the pleasures of domestic society,
the tears of friendship, or the softer petit
ton of love, have checked the approach Of
death, Doctor Thornton might have pro-
missed himself perennial season of honor
and bliss. He has been unexpectedly re-
moved, however, 10 state Of being, per-
manent and exalted. The good that he has
done will not be inferred srith his bones :"
his services have been euiineutly Useful to
his fellow creatures, and his moral charac-
tr is valuable legacy to his friends. For
tune, more suspicious than fate, blessed him
with an amiable and interesting companion,
and with opulence and prosperity The
former he cherished with the most ardent
affection as the source of his fondest joys
the latter he dispensed with the generous