The Washington times., 1903-04-12
A FRIENDS RECOLLECTION
OF A NOTABLE CHARACTER

To the Editor of Tie Washington Times:
Each day brings to us. in addition to
its own events and incidents. memories
of delightful happenings and recoi1ee-
ticus tjpged with sadness. OF s0rrowful
occurrences The first is the training
school Of our lighter nature. where it
Is fitted 80 enter the hail OF serious
thought into which our souls should
go with zeal and intelligent apprecla-
ton TO seek the proper Interpretation OF
life and the meaning Of death.
My recollection today is of my very
good friend. the late Mrs Eugenla Phil
lips, than whom no nohler subject could
have been chosen 10 verify the beautiful
expression, The purer the soul is here.
the filter it Is for heaven" She died
one year ago. on the FIRST day Of the
present month at the advanced age OF
eighty=TWo years finishing a life in
which she contributed in the happy man
ner for which she was peculiarly fitted
10 the happiness. comfort. and pleasure
OF contemporaries and posterities In two
centuries much that should De talked
about. more than I could write about.
and all Of which should be appreciated.
Mrs Phillips was actuated by the
highest Ideals in all her relationships in
life The woman arose so clearly above
her prejudtces and scared TO such a lofty
height in thought and action that those
who did not understand such d position
we're astouaded. But to the apprecia-
tive mind, she furnished food for health
fgl thought and conduct
This brilliant and remarkable char
acter was an aristocrat. not an auto
crat- She was proud, but arrogance new
er found Iodgmeut in her mind or
thought Whether in the whirI Of So
cjaI activities or surrounded by the COM
forts Of her home. her gracious and
charming manners. which made every
/ one feel easy and comfortable in her So
Ciety, proved the attractive person which
she was. Her presence gave to the at
mosphere that she occupied a sweetness
+ and freshness which attracted every
+ body and made its development pleasant
and delightful
/ IN religion, Mrs. Phillips did not prac,
/ tice after the prescribed form Of any
sect or denomination. but upon ne broad
+ principle OF he brotherhood Of man.
which Included all. Her heart was SO
/ large that it furnished a haven for all.
and so small that it uuselfshly took
place beside enc which needed the
warmth % hers To relieve It's anguish
and soothe It's disappointment.
In conviction was right and proper.
after satisfying herself that her position,
which was always assumed after having
viewed conditions through The veil OF
her own pure and transparent motive.
which reflected so brilliantly in her dec
Iaratiou shat many have been guided
right by rs illumination She was firm
but never oppressive. although perhaps
her candor and earnestness may have
at times been mistaken Tcr It.
The legacy which this cultured and at
tractive lady has left her children and
friends cannot be valued by the commod-
ities Of trade. and is an inheritance
which cannot be estimated by compari-
son with great riches
I had the honor and good fortune ta
enjoy for fifteen years her friendship
and the memory OF her viii always live
il my mind and thought W $ F
Washington, D. c., April II. 1903.