The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-03
OBI UARl.

from a serious Illness last summer he
had so fully recovered that his health
condition. and the first intimation that
his friends In Richmond had of his
Illness was followed almost instantly by
the announcement of his death.
Virginius Dabney was. born February
10, 1885, at his fathers country-seat
"Elmngton," on the North river, in
Gloucester county Va. His father was
Thomas Smith Gregory Dabney, whose
life has been portrayed In "A southern
Planter" by Mrs. Susan Dabney Smedes,
work so highly thought OF by Mr..
Gladstone. that he wrote preface TO
the English edition. and several enthu-
siastic letters to the authoress. one OF
which letters printed in fac simiieb ap-
pears at the beginning of the more
recent American editions CT the w TX;
Virglnlus Dabney was born few months
before his father emlgra ion TO MisslS-
sippt, and on account OF his tatheF
love for the Old Dominion, was shristen-
ed Virginus, in honor OF his native
State. The name was most appropriate;
for his love Of Virginia and the South
has ever been one Of Nrgintus DaDney ;
strongest feelings In his Don Min ana
more recently published cold hat did
not Glitter" he has portrayed virginia
life before, during, and since the great
struggle of his State and her southern
sisters for independence.
He spent his childhood and early boy
HOD1 al bHIit4RH, his iahHtt : ItSi+tAtNt
In Kinds county, Miss, receiving his
first schooling from tutors employed by
his father and some Of his neighbors.
Later on he went to school in kich-
lnond, Va, one Of his 'hool mates BEN
his first cousin and lifelong friend the
late John Hampden Chamberiayne. At
the age Of eighteen he entered IN UNI
versity Of Virginia. and for three ses-
sions pursued academic studies at that
institution, graduating In several schools.
70. ,aufa = a vol
and, returning to the University, studied
law for one session. and then. after
marrying Miss Ellen Maria Heath only
daughter Of James f.. Heath, who for
many years was Auditor Of Nirg la,
settled I'm Memphis, Tenn, 10 practice
his profession. His eldest son. f.ic ard
Heath Dabney now adjunct professor
Of history at the University OF Nir-
ginia). was born in the spring Of 1850.
but the mother died within a month, and
Nirginus Dabney. after bringing the
body Of his wife 70 Richmond for inter-
ment remained here until the war broke
out. He had never had any taste Tor
the law and determined TO follow his
natural bent for literature. But the War
and hts subsequent poverty ana me
necessity OF earning his bread prevented
him for years from accomplishing MS
desire TO write. In the army he attained
the rank Of captain and was told ny
General Lee shortly before the surren
der, that he would promote MIN 70 tAe
rank OF major. But the surrender at
Appomattox prevented the accJmp ish-
ment OF the Generals purpose. captain
Dabney commanded the 18th Virginia
regiment at the second battle or Man s.
sas. after the superior officers had beea
Killed or wounded. He himself was then
stricken down by a bullet in tn left
breast which remained in his body III
his death. He occupied positions on the
stats Of General Edward Johnson aud
General John b. Gordon, and other Con
fedorate generals. He was with Gordon
during Early's Valley campaign (an IN
cidental sketch of which he has given d.
Don Miff), and with him rejoIned Lee in
the lines around Petersburg participating
i'm the desperate attack on Fort stead
man. and in the last charge made ~
Gordon on Sherldan's troops at Appomat-
tox. From AppomattoX he rode 10
Charlottesville in company with Mr..
Valentine Southaii. Of that town. and
spent a short time at Tuition, the resi-
deHce Of the MacOns, relatives Of his
wife Going TO Middeburs, In LoUdouu
county, he then established the Loudoun
school. preparing boys for the University
or for practical lite. He here mt Miss
Anna Wilson NOa..d. eldest daughter OF
Major Ben. Z. holland, and married her
in February 1861. Their children were
Thomas Lloyd Dabney., Ben. Noiand
Dabncy. Sue Wilson Dabney, Virginus
Dabney. Jr., and Joseph DreXel Dabney
all OF whom are living, except the last
In 1878 Mr.. Dabney accepted the offer
Of Dr. McCosh, president oi pm eton
Princeton Preparatory School. Pecuniari-
ly the position was very remunerative.
but for other reasons he preferred sivihS
up the place after one year and then
established A private school Of his own In
New York city. In 1881 he ceased teach,
ing, and has since then been engaged
I'm literary work OF various kinds. For
some time he occupied d position on the
editorial staff OF the New York CONNER
cial Advertiser, until that paper was
bought up by Republicans ana co~verts d
into an organ of that party when Mr.;
Dabney lost his place. lie has also acted
as literary adviser 10 Harper Brothers,
ID. Appleton q Co, and Henry Holt *
Co.. reading manuscripts ana ADVISING
them whether or not TO publish them.
Last fall he was appointed deputy col
lector of the port OF New YORK. and mas mas,
since then been regularly performing ms
duties in the custom mouse
For years he spent his leisure nom MS
I'm the preparation Of The Story OF Don
MiR," which was published by J. b.
Lippiucott * Co. OF Philadelphia IN 1880,
and has since gone tnrouS. seve al edl-
lions. 1t is a romance OF virginia Ire,
the scene being lad ~ Glsncr- te u.lsy
In Richmond, and In the Valley. Colonel
VIM. Preston Johnston. the distinguished
son OF the iilustrious Albert Sidney john
stOn has said that three such books as
Don Milf would OF themselves consul
tute a literature. and not a rev persons
consider IL to De the greatest wOrA eYfr
produced in the South or In the United
States. A most striking feature or the
work is the extraordinary amount OF
matter contained in few words ~
is. therefore, book which cannot De
SKINNED over. The author took enor-
nous pains upon every sentence, ana IL
cannot be appreciated excep. by those
who care more for a great style ana con-
densed thought than for a mere story
to while away an idle hour. There Is
much In the work that can be enjoyed
by any intelligent reader: but the book
Is characterized by such great variety
highly educated men and women, with
the widest sympathies. can appreciate
ali OF It, II contains wit, humor. roi-
licking fun, tenderest pathos. most deli
cate fancy and deepest tragedy. It's char
acters are not mere distractions. but
living and moving men and women
vivid clear-cut and Of intense individ
uallty. It's scenes depict not only the
careless ease. the sweet tranquility. the
unciouded serenity" OF the cid ante-bellum
DAYS forever flown. but also the tre-
mendous tragedy OF human life in general,
and In particular OF the heroic
death struggle OF the conference.-the
''storm-cradied nation that fell" Many
OF him chiefly as general com.
panion. bubbiing over with humor and
run. His best friends knew the intense
depth OF earnestness OF his soul. Per-
haps but few even of those knew that
while he wrote some or the chapters OF
Don Min the hot tears rained down
his cheeks and blotted the glowing