Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-03
IN xExoRIAx.
The Late Dr.. ysAn Bsseksnbsssah Iiarvie.
Of Pswhssnp.

sf Pswhssup.
As one by one the types Of ante-5el-
inm Virginia drop OF like autumn
leaves. it becomes their surviving con-
temporarics to pay passing tribute to
their worth. Such worth as theirs well
deserves il, for it was the noble pro-
duct Of society whose light has gone
out forever. II was unique society.
unlike anything else, anywhere else, in
the wide world, and yet society that
it is difficult to portray even by those
who have most sensibly experienced its
influence, and well nigh impossible to
be understood or realized by the present
generation, whose memories reach back
only to the war. or to the ruin that fol-
lowed defeat.
The virtues that shone conspicuously.
and for many years, in that antc-Jeiium
time were elevation Of character. and.
as a consequence, patriotism, magma
Dimity, disinterestedness, and the fine
instinct which enjoined the cultivation
Of a sense of justice in all things, for
bidding alike the infection or endurance
of wrong. Naturally accompanying
such principles were generosity, hospi-
tality, the refined courtesy resulting
from consideration for the rights and
feelings of others. openness Of temper,
quick sympathy with distress, free
handed charity 70 the poor, and that
profound Difference to women which
springs not less from reverence for the
purity and regard for the delicacy of
their sex than from respect for their in
spired intuitions.
All of these virtues were combined
TO an eminent degree in the late DR..
John Brockenbrough Harvie, Of Pow
hatan county. With an admirable
training. afforded by all the surround,
ings of his youth, with high companion
ship in his manhood. with fortune that
allowed full scope to the natural prompt
ings of his heart. he grew and flourished
for fifty years in period which those
who knew it regarded as the best
and happiest era that Virginia has
knowL-an era not of material pro-
gress, but Of moral worth. fruitful Of
noble men and lovely women, in whom
neither wealth nor display, but the viz
tues and graces Of society formed an
inexpressible charm.
1t is enough. yet not too much. to
say that DIR. Harvie was a modest orna-
ment Of that society. He was given TO
hospitality; he was charitable to the
poor; he was liberal to every public
enterprise that could claim his aid he
was a good neighbor. fast friend.
kind and merciful master. loving son,
husband. father. and brother. He early
won. and never lost, the love. conf
dence, and respect of his fellow-citl-
zens of all classes. and without for an
instant sacrificing an opinion or con-
ceding principle to popularity, he con-
tinued to make friends as long as he
lived, and died at the ripe age of sew
enty-four years without an enemy in
the WOTlu.
To crown all these excellenccs. he
was deyout and active servant of our
Lord Jesus Christ; and his influence
for good, both by preccpt and conduct,
was widely feb alike in the parish and
the church. 1t was his constant, prayer
full effort to do justice, to love mercy.
and to walk humbly with his God.
How can we estimate the loss Of such
a man, Who can take his place in
those two spheres of country gentle
mans noblest activities. the home and
the neighborhood? Who can fail to re-
gret that another of the linen. high
minded men, that constitute a State, "
one who stood like a frowning rock
against the inrushing vices that accom-
pany progress, has been swept away
by the tide Of time. +. &. r.