The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-02-09
[For the Daily Gate City.]
THE ALVAT CHRONICLES.

In every age of the world men have culti-
waited the habit of speaking we'll OF the dead
A man may have been very selfish and
mean while living but the grave which hides
the mortal part from view, seems also to be q
barrier beyond which men rarely go when
speaking of the sins Of humanity.
When marble slab is set up to mark the
spot where "dust has gone back to dust"
affection lines carved in the cold " hite stone
tell only of the good deeds of the departed. |
If spirits do return from the shadowy land TO
roam on earth again, doubt not, that many
have blushed (if spirits can blush) while read
ing tombstone descriptions, of the mortal
caskets Of which spirits are the immortal
parts Many spirit would pause before the
tomb Of the dust it once inhabited, and there
read of virtues never practiced, of life Of
charity, when selfshness was really the mo-
tive power, and of beneyolence never
dreamed of while spirit and dust were united.
But do not wish to write sermon on
tombstone lying. Ny object is 10 rescue
from oblivion the name ofmy departed uncle.
"Adolphus Alvat," Esq, SEN, who while
living, united in one character, the wisdom of
a philosopher, the power of an orator, and a
poetic genius second to none living; or to
quote from his tombstone) use the language
of an other, he was an honest lawyer, ply
stefan that never killed his patient, and a poet
of whom men could truly say, his poems never
made tn EN- worse. Such was my Uncle
Adolphu. Alvat, Esq, Sr. He was born quite
early in life, of an old family, his father and
mother both being his seniors in age.
He died at the age of Go years, universally
lamented by all. Il quote from his tomb
stone AGAIN.
His funeral was attended by the first fam
lies of Skilettville, and the sermon was
preached by Elder Holden, who made mas
terry effort, occupying two hours and half
oward the close of the second hour, many
were so moved by the elder eloquence that
they left the house. Others shed tears Of Joy
at the conclusion of the 10Th sub. division of
seventhly, in the sermon. The elder closed
with an exhortation to the mouruers. II was
the only relative, not to weep, for said he,
his loss is your eternal gain.
| being the only relative received the prin-
ciple share of my uncle's fortune, which con.
sisted of barrel Of old clothes and manu-
scripts, and wood saw.
| am now in the rudimental carpenter bus
mess, sometimes called saving wood.
The manuscripts of which | have spoken
contains sketches, essays, biographies aud
poems, all in the handwriting of my uncle and
marked rejected" What this means | do
not know. But propose to honor the name
and fame of my respected and departed rela-
tive. by placing some of his productions be-
fore the public. | find among these manu-
scripts, sketches entitled Experiences in
Childhood. Experience as a LAWYER. -
Experience as Physician. Experience
as Politician, and he seems to have kept
kept kind of an autobiography, with say
ings and observations, both quaint and wise,
which humanity would lose, were it not for
the labors of Adolphus Alvat. jr., Esq,
nephew of his uncle, &C., DC.
Adolphus Alvat was not only great man
intellectually, but nature had done much for
him physically. In hight he stood four feet
six inches and was rather stout, inclined to
robustness little, and measured six feetfour
inches around the body. his face was always
cleany shaver and guiltless oil whiskers, save
a tuft of yellow or auburn colored locks lust
forward and below each ear; his nose towing
to exposure to the sun in his philosophical
and astronomical studies was constantly more
ford than his face, although the latter was
very red, and shone with benignant express
sion almost angelic, particularly after dinner.
Some would object to the color of my uncle s
hair, it being beautiful yellow. 10 any. so
devoid of taste, would say that owing to
early study, always heating to the brain. nv
uncies HAIR all came out excepting little
which encircled the base of his head like a
chapiet OF gold Owing to an accident in
youth, my uncle was deprived of one ear, but
all detects OF eountenance were forgotten when
gazing upon that noble face; which owing to
want of hair on the top of his head, seemed
to extend from the point of his gigantic chin
to the centre of the head on top, in almost
an unbroken inclined plane.
! Before proceeding to copy the manuscripts
OF my uncle, which are in my possession, /
will state few particulars in regard to his
HE, with which | am personally familiar.
ms Will try to do without anticipating any
OF the facts set forth in the manuscript here
after to be published.
solicitations of the leading men of Skillet.
vile, was induced to accept the nomination.
and came before the people as a candidate
for the Legislature.
owing TO bad counting of votes, he was not
elected. In fact, the votes were ten to one
against him. But it was conceded by the on.
position, and believed by his friends pener-
ally, that he would have been elected had
there been votes enough in his favor.
de seems to have been governed BY Princi.
pie In every act of his life. Opposed to the
use of Intoxicating liquors, he never drank
unless invited by q friend, or during politi.
cal campaign, and when the weather was
cold, or extremely warm, rarely using to.
oacco, except before or after meals, and
wnen travelling. He was a model Of refine.
ment, and bright example of self.denial,
anu an unninching upholder of sPrinciple. y
introduce my uncle now, in the follow
ing ~nieh seems to be q letter to tbs Skillet.
fiie iT'oa"e, which, for some unknown rea.
son. was never published. You will observe
the word rejected" in strange hand. write
Is on one corner Of the manuscript:
oscIED. oath Oct, 49,
DEAR SIR: As it is the custom for men ~.
eupying prominent positions to submit n
mankind, through The newspapers Of the dav
An account OF their lives, / being . candida,
:. me present time, would, for the benefit Of
.ne rising generasioa, give . few facts I'D
incidents connected with NY youth and eDrlv
manhccd, hoping that the young Of our conn.
U-cniidren Of my Constituents 10 bel-v;a
I've 70 follow my exanpls, fhat the5 ~.
nesare ase, Sand upoa thss HIN r,eS1xsf<i
OF lame, upon which nov stand.
~ chiidhood va moi alkoeaahar 49,.