Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-28

Of Virginia, on the 22d of December, 1853, the
following preamble and resolutions were unani-
mously adopted:
Professor Edward III. Courtenay having been
cut down in the prime of life by sudden and
severe disease, the members Of the faculty,
while humbly submitting to the decree of an
all-wise and mercifnl Providence, think it due
to their deceased colleague, and to themselves,
to testify their respect for his memory, and to
give expression to their grief on account of the
calamity which has befallen them as his neigh
bors and friends, and as members of the insti-
tuition of which he was distinguished orna-
ment.
The constant witnesses of the fidelity with
which he discharged the duties of his official
station, and knowing him long and intimately
in the relations Of private life, they are enabled
to testify with emphasis to his merits as an
earnest and successful teacher, courteous and
amiable gentleman, and truly good man.
His high reputation, acquired during SER
vice Of several years, as one of the professors in
the National Military Academy at West Point
induced the visitors of the University to offer
him, eleven years ago, an unsolicited appoint
ment to the chair of mathematics in this insti-
tuition. 1t would be superAuous now to say
that the manner in which he has discharged the
responsible duties of that position has album
dainty fulfilled the high expectations founded
on his extensive reputation.
One circumstance connected with his official
relations with the university deserves to be
specially noticed as characteristic of the man,
and as serving to explain the fact that one SO
eminent for his talents and scientific attainments
contributed but little, by the published results
Of his labors, to the progress of the mathemati
cal and physical sciences. Conceiving it to be
his first duty to give thorough instruction to the
youth confided to his care, and finding that the
whole burden of instructing all the mathemat-
cal classes was to be borne by himself, without,
until recently, any assistance, he made it a
point of conscience to devote all his time and
energies to the laborious task. An overriding
sense of duty thus constrained him to forego the
more pleasant employment Of aiding to extend
the boundaries of human knowledge in his de-
partment of science, work for which he was
admirably fitted, both by natural endowments
and by long and assiduous culture.
In the relations Of private life he was pat
tern of all the manly virtues, a devoted hus
band and father, warm friend, kind neigh
Dor, and a courteous gentleman, whose gentle
and winning manners reflected the unaffected
impulses Of an amiable heart. But while these
milder qualities of the heart gave singular
charm to his life, both public and private; the
sterner virtues, equally marked, were joined
with them in admirable harmony of proportion
to form character as remarkable for its
strength as for its loneliness. His purposes,
being formed with deliberation, were adhered
to with firmness that resisted the strongest
temptations arising from the kindly impulses
of his nature. To him, indeed, might well be
applied the line of the ancient poet:
H +. /. \ Il f.s .
Justem ct tenacem proposit virum!
And he was yet more than all this; he was
sincere and unobtrusive Christian, resting
his hopes for eternity not on his own virtues,
but on the merits Of Divine Redeemer.
Therefore
Resoired, That the members of the faculty,
deeply amenting the bereavement sustained by
the family of Professor Courtenay, tender to them
their heartfelt sympathy, which is heightened by a
sense of their personal loss by this affecting
dispensation.
Resoired, That, in testimony of the affection
which bound them 10 their colleague while living
and in repect for his memory, they will cause
suitable monument 10 be erected over his grave,
and will wear the usual badge of mourning for
thirty days.
Resoived, That a copy Of these resolutions be
sent TO the family of the deceased and to the
Charlottesville, Richmond and Washington news
papers.
GESSNER HARRISON,
Chairman Faculty.
WILLIAM WERTESBAKER.
Secretary of the Faculty.