Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-28


ing those rare ard admirable qualities
which seize and hold captive his hearers.
delighting while they instruct. That Lee
was a man OF letters. a scholar who had
ripened under a truly classical sun, We
have only to turn TO his work on the
southern war. where he was. indeed, the.
magma pars fui Of all which he relates-9
work which well deserves TO be ranked
with the commentaries Of the famei
master OF the Roman world. who. like our
Lee was equally renowned with the pen
as the sword. But there Is line.
single line In the works OF Lee which
would hand him over 10 immortality,
though he had never written another.
First in war, first I'm peace. and first In
the hearts OF his countrymen.' viii last
while language lasts "
Nothing can better Illustrate the tender
heart of the great man than his letters
to his favorite son. Carter Lee. written
while at Nassau. They tell OF the strong
love, the nobility OF nature, and breadth
OF culture OF the great warrior. In a LETT
ter from Nassau to his son he says:
Having this moment an opportunity
to send TO New York. | use II 10 repeat
my love and prayers for your health ana
advancement in the acquisition OF know
ledge from its foundation. not on the sur
face. This last turns man into a puppy,
and the first fits him for the highest
utility and most lasting pleasure. re-
questel YOU to write monthly TO me-
giving me with clearness and brevity g
narrative Of your studies. rccreatsons, ana
relish for the occupations which employ
you in and out Of college. Never mind
your style but write your first impress
sions quickly. clearly. and honestly. Style
will come i'm due time. as will maturity OF
Judgment. Above all things earthly, even
love TO the best of mothers and your
ever-devoted father. j entreat You tq
cherish trvth and abhor deccnti0n. Dwell
on the virtues and initiate as far as hes
in your power the great and good men
whom history presents to our view
Minerva Let such examples teach thee
10 beware,
Against great God thou utter aught pro-
fame;
And II. perchance. in riches or n powef
Thou shinest superior. be not hsolent;
For know a day sufliceth TO eNalt
or 10 depress the state OF mortal man.
The wise and good are by our God beloved,
But those who practice evil He abhors.'
"You have my favorite precept instilled
from your infancy by my lips morning.
noon, and night. I'm my familiar talks WITH
you. here presented 10 your mind In the
purity and elegance of the Grecian TRACE
forget to make It the cardinal rule or your
life. II will. at least. arrest any tendency
10 initiate the low, degrading usage 100
common Of swearing I'm conversation. es-
pecially with your interiors. My miserable
state Of health improves by occasional
voyaging I'm this fine climate. with ina
sage guidance of a superior physician 20
whom | am now returning The climate
of Cambridge is much colder than that
| try does
agree with you? Pray guard against coldi
IL is the stepping-stone to other diseases.
I repeat my antreaty to save YOURSELF
from its injuries. and pray you also In
/ cherish your health by temperance and exc
/ ercIse. IL is hard TO say whether too mucn
! eating or too much drinking undermines
| the constitution. You are addicted 10
neither and will. I am sure. take care "a
| grow up free from both. Cleanliness or
/ person is not only comely 20 all beholderss
| but is indispensable to sanctity OF body
Trained by your best of mothers to VALUE
| II. YOU Will never lose sight of II. To be
plain and neat In dress conforms to good
sense and is emblematic Of right mind
| Many lads who avoid the practices men
toned fall into another habit which hurts
I only themselves, and which certainly
| stupefos the senses-immOderate sleeping.
You know how | love my children and
| how dear Smith Is 10 mo GIVE me
true description of his person. mind.
temper, and habits; tell me of Anne: has
she grown tall? And how is my last In
looks and understanding? Robert was
always good and will be confirmed In his
happy turn OF mind by his ever-watchfui
and affectionate mother. Does he
strengthen his native tendency?'
And the great man sleeps on Georgia
sod. There under the gloom OF the live
oaks. beneath the shadow Of the magnolia
and the myrtles where the deep monotone
OF the sea sings an eternal requiem
sleeps Llght-Horse Harry, the dashing
Dragon of the Revolution, the father Oh
Robert Il. Lee.
lie was worthy OF the great eulogy pro-
nounced by John Banks. OF Virginia;
General Henry Lee, If not the foremost
man of all the world OF his age and rank.
was certainly second TO no man, II, du-
ring seven years of service. In numberiess
situations. requiring talents, bravery. and
prompt execution. the commission or no
fault or the neglect OF no duty entitled
him to such an appellation"