New-York tribune., 1876-08-21
THE LATE RUFUS X. GRAVES
fbe EGjfor o( TNs Tr bu n e. Z.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: BY the recent death of MIR. Graves, New.
York has lost eminent for too many virtues ana
exceences to allow Of his passing away without some
brief notice OF tic characteristics that secured TOT h
the esteem and reverence Of those who knew nm oest
He always Stunned even the slightest notorcty ana DIS
great modesy prompted the desire that nothing III the
way of euogy praise should be spoken OF him when ne
was gone and in his life complimentary illusions TO him
self were always disaseful. His family respected ms
wishes In tins regard. But the business community ana
the world have right to the light that snch lie as MS
when known, sheds upon the way OF proper regard lot
duties in tie various relations active lfe II is not at
all because Mr.. Graves most successful mcrchan
acquiring as he did fortune ard leaving behind him
large estate that would bring his vita more EN-
phass TO the attention OF those who did not know him 30
well. =.
Mr.. Graves was one OF the most retiring, unostenta
OUs that could he found, shrinking from eSen Orp
nary notice and though systematic In the distribution
his charities poor and his contributions to gen
eral projects he adhered so strictly ana par
tcuary the Injunction, Let not thy right hand know
what thy left hand docth that nearly all or those most
nearly associated with him had little or 10 knowledge oil
his generosity Applications were numerous Dut never
heard OF single instance where the applicant was not
cOureously treated ndeed he was always courteous
and he especially cOndesccnded TO those OF low estate
While he was systematic and guided by principle IN his
bcncvulcnce, there a c0pstahcy and muulhcencc III
il all that was magnificent never approached MN III
vain for any worthy object OF beneyoencc nor did
ever know any unsuccessful. His ordinary conrlDu-
tons 10 the general more commonly known charl-
ties were very uniform though sometimes IN seasons
OF severe pressure he would duplicate them; |
never knew him fo? objects 10 diaW
a check for less than $500, and as often Tor SluDoi
and these contributions invariably made so tlat
his made public, even thc sOclcu,S ~
which his gifts were made not knowing to whom thoy
were incbed for them. knew 0r MS lnahlhS git pl
$4,000 an institution in the Southwest some years
SINCE and do think any public notice has ever hp
pearcd connecting Lis with 1t. what an lIuStia-
lion given by Mr. GrdytsS generosity ana successes
he words of Solomon: Incfe Is lhat sch'ictcui, 10
vet ncrcaseth; and there thar within dcth more tan
il moc ct and tCndeth poverty HIS great upright
ness and fidelity were wei und"rstOol, an" 10 man
could behind In more cinlahc reputation thtli
his. Possessing excellent Judgment his colns'is ana
vice were always demand, aud many VIII mss MN
as AN adviser friend. For many years hs sympathy
Wa, largely with the slaves, and since thcis c,dtpd
ton thi, ceu. il Possible, has been lut'naned aud
through various channels De has proved the sincerity ana
depth oi his real 10 gard Tor them.
Ar. Graves for long time resident u IloohjE'
but from an affection O toe throat ne was CJlpcllCd IoF
years ago 10 leave Brooklyn, when ne remove - hOrIls
town. where Le continued 20 reside un,i hi- death Mr.
Chufch where both and tuey Aold not only u
the highest but most aHcctcnatc regard HIS HE was
trf!V Grand one IEc thought il BcqUcatlau to 49, now
many men wOil De- ha;ucr would they allow hls man
ne ~ rest up0u their shoulders There is develop
ment upon which may not dwell 1t was the hollc hc,
more beautiful than even his more pablo walk, 50 gen
IT, 80 touching. tat IL belongs whore leave i, u the
grateful possession OF those To whom lie was dcdrcr an
their own lives. H.
keg--g g,,gI