Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-12-19
NEWS OF THE DAY.
- To shou the very age and body of the Times

The Duke de Grammont has written letter
refutiDg the testimony given by President
Theirs before the committee to inquire into
the causes of the late war. The Duke, who
was Minister of Foreign Affairs at the begin
ming of the contest, states positively that the
Emperor had a promise of assistance from Aus
tria in the event of hostilities with Prussia.
The committee of thirty, of the French AS
sembly, yesterday debated the question wheth
er it is expedient to cou6ne their deliberations
to proposals for ministerial responsibility and
second chamber, or to 20 over the entire field
of constitutional reorganization. No result was
reached
The Massachusetts, Legislature yesterday
passed the resolutions condemning MIR. Sum-
ner's proposition to obliterate the records of
the war from the Army Register and regimen.
tai colors.
Chas. S. P. Bowlcs, of the Paris banking
house ofBowles Bros. was arrested at Sprinheld
Mass. last evening. at the suit of John d.
Hubey, for Sc, 9S5, funds deposited with the
firm.
The Secretary of the Treasury has given no
tice that the department will commence the
payment of interest due January l, 1872, on
Saturday, the Dist, without rebate.
Later accounts from Madrid say that auoth-
er ministerial crisis is impending, and that a
reconstruction Of the Cabinet cannot be de-
layed.
Bismark gives up nothing but the Presiden-
cy of the Prussian Cabinet, still retaining the
portfolio Of the War Office.
James Lynch, Secretary of State of Missis-
sippi, died at Jackson on Tuesday. He was at
one time resident Of Maryland.
The friends Of the Temperance cause are ex-
er,ing themselves to do what they can to stop
Christina, and New Years drinking.
The insanity plea is to be relied upon tor the
acquittal of Simmons, who killed Duryea In
New York on Monday.
The health of Senator Blair of Missouri is
improving.
DEATH OF GEO X. Fox, jR, CLERK OF
THE COUNTY COURT OF LoUDOUN.-Mr. Fox
was from early boyhood connected with the
Clerks Offices of Loudoun, either as Deputy
or Clerk-having entered the Circuit Court
Office as Deputy to the late Thos p Knox, in
1913, being then 10 the 18th year of his age.
He subsequently entered the office of the Couu-
ty Clerk, as Deputy to the late Presley Saun-
| ders, and upon the death OF that gentleman In
| lS5S,-was elected Clerk to fill the vacancy
thus created 10 1860, he was elected, almost
unanimously, Clerk for six years, which posi-
ton he filled until the suspension ofthe Courts
in 1862, when he was ordered by that body to
take charge of the Records and remove them
ing them to Campbell County, and remaining
with them until the close of hostilities in 1865.
1t was for this service that the Board OF Super
visors but a fortnight ago, past an order grant
ing him compensation.
After the war, being disqualified, under the
laws of Congress, from holding office, he re-
sumed his position as Deputy Clerk under Mr..
| G. 2. Janney, until 1870, when, his disabilities
| having been removed, he was again elected
Clerk, for four years, but has only lived to serve
out about one-half his term. IN
No man in the county of Loudoun was more
familiar with the legal affairs Of the county than
Mr.. F., and being possessed of an unusually
| bright mind, from his long connection with, and
experience in the Clerks Office he was tho.
| roughly conversant with the statute laws OF
Virginia, and was universally conceded to have
been one Of the most accomplished Clerks in
the State, while his advice in legal matters, al
most daily sought, and always cheerfully rem
QereQ, pTODdDIy sdVeQ W lHe ptOpics VI dLou-
doun thousands of dollars annually. 49,
All in trouble or doubt came to him for ad-
vice and aid as to one whom they knew to be
able and willing to help. He was their coun-
sellor, aud confidential friend-he was the
| trusted depository OF more secrets than an man
and never betrayed the confidence of any one.
All were his friends; he had no enemies, and
yet no man exceeded hin in just selfrespect and
independence of thought and speech.
Obhgng and generous to a tault--always
kind and genial 10 his manner and converse
ton, he was the life Of the social circle, the
favorite of all who knew him, and his death is
a public grief. Few men have ever lived in
our midst who were more universally popular
with all classes of the community, and as we
have already said, none whose early death will
be more generally or more sadly lamented.
MrFox, was in the prime Of useful manhood,
having Just reached his 4Otb year. He leaves
wife and four young daughters to mourn the
loss of an affectionate husband, and indulgent
father -Loudoun Mirror ~. !. t3
COMMUNICATED.
THE "PoTTER's FIELD. Few readers in
the country know what is the reality Of the
F;oId' IN thio pI.oo nor hod