Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-03-31
THRLAPRHBNRYL [. BROOKE, ESQ.
Remarks of Those Green. Esq, on pre-
srnting The Revolutionary Me Bar on tie
death Of Henry H. Brooke, Esq, TO de
County Court Of gcferson.

Srnting The Revolutionary Me Bar on tie
death Of Henry 4. Brooke, Egg, to die
County Court Of Je6ssson-
In Offering these resolutions it is my duty,
as it is my pleasure, to make "a few remarks
on the life and character of our deceased
brother. do not propose tn pronounce any
elaborate eulogy CD his character.
+. am one of those who believe that, as
general rule, n is best on our decease to- let
our life and conduct speak Cor u.s. If they
have been what they should have been, they
constitute our highest eulosy. IF they have
not been what they sbouldbeve been, nothing
which can be said will be of any advantage to
our memory in community where our life
and conduct were wen Known. But in the
case of our deceased friend, Mr. Brooke,
there is special reason for departing from
this general rule. he was comparatively a
stranger here. for though he 1ras lived IN our
midst for several years, yet very few among
us knew him as he really deserved to be
known. He had but LITTLE opportunity here
of showing the extent of his legal learning,
aud his great modesry has prevented his
proper appreciation IN our community as a
lawyer.
am doing but Justice to his memory in
stating briefly few incidents in his life from
which may be drawn Just conclusion as to
his character and standing among those who
knew him hest. As evidence Of his retiring
disposition. would mention the fact, that
though have known him since he presided
here as we'll probably az any one else except
the members Of his fsmily, vet never heard
from him, and till his death did not know
that his uncle, with whom he lived in his
early youth, married my aunt DIr Brooke
having been left an orphan at an early age
had in his youth no remarkable advantages of
education, but having an ;uquisitive mind he
made himself fine scholar. lie did not
commence the study of his profession till he
was nearly of age. lie located in. Richmond,
where he sustained himself and acquired a
high reputation at bar remarkable for its
talents aud learning, He soon commanded
very considerable practice IN the Cont of Ap.
peals of Virginia, and acquired in that court
well earned reputation as an able lawyer
That he deserved this reputation can be as
certafned by examining his arguments de-
lvered IN tire cases of Hunter u.s. Martin. &C.,
and Rdndolph's Ex'r Us Tucker, &c, or in
the no less celebrated case of tho Common
wealth 0s. Benjamin Green. He was Com
monwealth's Attorney in Richmond city for
several years-a position which he filled
with credit and ability. and we all know that
none but talented man could fill such a po
sition credtabfy IN such a city. Tie was IN
the Legislature of Virginia for some time, and
stood high there as man Of capacity At
one time he ran as a candidate for the Senate
of Virginia against Robert Stansrd, and at
another time as a candidate for Mayor of Rich,
mond against Joseph Mayo, who so we'll
filled that Office for many years. 1t is true he
was defeated in these elections by very small
maj"rities But it is probable he would have
been successful in both of them hut for his
repugnance to electoneering And those
who know the reputation of Joseph Mayo and
Robert Stanard will at once recognize in Mr..
Brooke man Of sterling worth for none other
could IN Richmond city compete before the
public with these great and popular men,
Had MIR. Brooke Continued to practice law he
must have attained a commanding position
But he retired from the bar at about 40 wears
of age. A it was he stood very high aud
made considerable fortune NV his practice
This he lost by some unfortunate contracts on
the South Side Railroad, As evidence of his
high sense of honor, though he was but
secret partner IN these transactions, and though
his partners Tesorted to indirect shift tn avoid
their responsibilities, he refused tn do so. and
met his as IN honest man, refusing to retain
anything at the expense of his creditors.-
His character as man of unfluching intee-
rity and truthfuluess was we'll known and
highly appreciated. Aud he was also we'll
known as gentleman of unbouudcd hnspi-
tality and universal charity, hut from the cir
cums,ances which surrounded him in his latter
days there were but few in our community
who properly appreciated his great ability
The successful competitor OF such lawyers
as DIR. Leigh and Stanard, must have been
man Of extraordinary strong mind. especially
as his high position was taken and held with.
out the aid of high oratorical powers If
what have said will tend to do justice to the
memory of our friend, my object in making
these remarks will have been accomplished.