The Portland daily press., 1877-07-04
boston AdVertiser.[
THE LATE GEORGE II. DAVIS.
Pathetic Keminiscence.

The death of George T.. Davis has called
forth more rare and striking eulogy than is Of
ten bestowed upon many more active, distin-
guished and widely known men. To his friends
who know him well this is not surprising. He
had such tender sensibility, such quick re-
cognition..of every beautiful deed and thought,
such keen wit, such fine companionship, that
the mention of his name is now the signal for
the brightest and sweetest "reminiscences in
many cultivated circle in New England. He
left great many choice thoughts behind him,
gr eat many illustrations, wealth of apt
quotations, and cheerful memory, which will
long be tradition. l can never forget with
what sudden inspiration he lifted one out of
the common and wearying lines of thought in
to an encouraging and sparkling vicacity, which
remained to cheer and strengthen long after he
had gone. can never forget the touching and
tender incidents which be had always in store
to be used on proper occasions. And 1 am now
by his death reminded of one scene in his life
which at this time of reconciliation and desire
for mutual understanding, and necessity for
the most generous and humane sentiments,
think ought to be recorded and preserved.
In the autumn of 1864 q public meeting in
Greenfield required the official attendance of
Gov. Andrew, Prot. Agassiz and Others An
opportunity like this was not to be lost by Mr..
Davis, and social entertainment was provided
by him for few Of us at his house. am sure
that those of that little party who remain on
earth will never forget the brilliant conversa-
ton of that occasion. MIR. Davis inspired
everybody. Gov. Andrew was grander and
more genial than ever. Agassiz was as charm
ing as he alone knew how to be. 1t was in the
dark hours of the war-those darkest hours
which preceded the dawn. The North was
pouring out its best blood with unheard of de-
votiop. The South was suffering that untold
misery which soon after forced the surrender.
Of course there were frequent illusions to the
| sad events with which the years CT the war
were full, and, at the close of some graphic de-
| scription by Gov Andrew, Mr.. Davis drew from
| his pocket and read the following letter, copy
l of which had been sent him by some one v no
| knew he would appreciate it. will not un-
| dertake to describe the scene which atten ded
the readng,--the warm and tender tones OF
l the reader, the deep emotion Of Andrew and
| AgassiZ, as we were remnd ed of the sorrow OF
that broken-hearted father in Virginia. whose
brave boys, with the blood of the great author
| of our independence running in their veins, had
performed their part in the great national trag
edy:
MARTINsBURG, July %, 1861.
| my trusted and Dear Friend:-
In reply to your beautiful and true letter have
10 te yTu That my two brave, handsome Christian
arSboth E IN one grave in our Episcopal grave
battle of July 81 in the van Of .johnstons troens~
at the same instant mortally shot, through thu
heart thomes3 my eldest, the other through thu
stomach lIucRer)-6oth instantly translated TO the
| God and Maker, without sensible mortal pain; anC
at the same time their cherished first cousin Peyol
II the officer h,c who E was leading up the guards
| Tucker a private. Tucker was student Of diyinit
| in our Alexandria seminary, and had been there TO
| two years. Holmes was for years past an actiy
| Iayman distributing good books among our noun
tains sometimes, and for two years principal of a.
academy here and reading law at the same time,-
| most sweet Christian gentleman. may speak c
1 them 30 now, methnks; for Holmes was the hand
soonest man, in his jetty black beard and bright eye
and Tucker short man, but of face like b
| grandfather, Judge Carr, with the deep eye Of M