The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-14
Tribute of Respect 10 ar. Orlando
Fairfax

at a meeting Of the Richmond Academy
OF Medicine and the profession at large,
convened in the hall OF the Academy Jan
uary II, 1882:
Preamble and resolutions, the formal,
unmeaning parade OF words after death,
are out OF place here. When il is told that
DR.. Orlando Fairfax is dead. 10 those who
knew him, AL has been said that need 10 be
said. TO those who knew him not. eulogy
could not bring the respect and affection
which toward q man so modest even per-
sOnal and intimate acquaintance barely
served to draw forth i'm deserved measure.
His life il his eul0gy. In contemplating
that life from the beginning 10 its close,
enthusiasm is with difficulty represSed.
He was OF house so ancient and so blame
| less; he was himself 30 true in every &C.
tiOn 10 the stock from which he sprung
upright, steadfast, manly, simple-in Il
word, he was a Christian gentleman Of a
type so high that none is higher. As a
Nirginian, a patriot, what was he not!
Whatever he had and all that he had was
his cOuntry's, freely given, and lost with
out murmur. As physician he had
love FOR his calling that always brings skill,
and an ardor that in his seyenty-SiXth year
led him to a course Of reading as ii he had
but begun TO learn 4 science in which for
half century he had stood 30 high. A. Il
man he was all husband, father friend
could be. Love for his household was but
part OF the great love he bore 10 the whole
brotherhood Of man. Alike in his home
and in the discharge Of the arduOus duties
OF his calling he showed devotion which
few might equal and no one could Surpass.
Not merely sense IN duty, but delight in
duty; the warmth Of his heart so animating
and quickening the intellect that his very
presence i'm the sick-chamber dtiused
glow Of mingled light and heat, a radiance
OF peace and hope which those who once
experienced can never forget. Pure and
truthful, he inspired absolute trust i'm all
with whom he came in contact. His great
professional knowledge was obscured by
the gentleness Of his manner-the doctor
was forgotten in the friend. Beyond men,
beyond most women, hc was modest. His
virtues shrank from the light and the
course OF lis life was like a mcadOw-Stream
hidden by flowers, which dilfuses bless
ings, but flows on unseen. He never
sought self, and his very silence made re-
port OF him. Ripe ia years, firm in the
faith OF his fathers, mature in wisdom, ac-
quainted but too well with human afiliction
and the vanity OF life, beloved and honOrcd,
the good and faithful servant, having done
his Masters wOIk Wcll, has entered into
his rest. He leaves TO his children the
unspOtted name OF his house, TO his pro-
fcssiOnal brethren the example OF Il life
long and perfect in its unselfishncss, and
to his State and section The memory OF
patriotism that spared not anything,
neither the blood OF his hest-lOyed sons
nor the last ounce OF what tie counted but
dross i'm the balanCe-his worldly wealth.
ReSOlred, That AZ token Of their re-
spect and esteem, the Academy Of Medi-
cine and the medical profession OF Rich
mond viii attend in a body the funeral u
DR.. Fairfax.
ReSOired, That this testimonial TO the
worth OF DR.. Fairfax be Published in the
Richmond and Alexandria daily papers and
the Southern ChTCim0R, aud that a copy
be forwarded 10 the family OF The deceased.
ii. G.. HoUsTON, Assistant Secretary.
Alexandria papers and Southern Church
man please copy.