The Virginia Gazette

Portrait of the BENEFICENT MAN.

CHERISHED by the most amiable Wife, that great Man was the Object of the most intimate Affections of his Children. His tranquil Mind was always on its Guard against the Sallies of impetuous Passions, and in the Mildness of his Philosophy his Heart knew no other Want but that of communicating its Beneficence. It was enough to be unfortunate to be known by him. The Aged particularly were endeared to him; he seemed to himself to behold in them the august Persons of his Ancestors. A free open Temper, and mirthful Disposition, assembled round him true Pleasures; and luxurious Rioting, banished from his Abode, was replaced by the amiable Virtues of Hospitality. The Cry of the Wretched was his Signal. I have seen him, in the Midst of his Children, walk towards his Villages and Hamlets, and traverse all his Lands, as a River diffusing Plenty. I saw, as he passed along, the Labourer, suspending his Work, the Husbandman, stopping his Plough, and their Children, forgetting their little Occupations, run and embrace his Feet. Joy was painted on their Faces: Their Eyes, fixed on their Master, followed him whithersoever he went; and, when they ceased to see him, they raised their Hands to Heaven, blessed him, and returned to their Labour. On Days when Festivity interrupted rural Business, all the Youth flocked to him with the Sound of Pipes and other rustick Musick. Lovers asked him for their Mistresses, and Mistresses for their Lovers. The modestest blushing Virgin ever made a lively Impression on him. "Lovely Modesty! he was wont to say, thou alone dost lend Graces to Beauty. Engaging to all Eyes, the Sage, in seeing thee, believes he sees Virtue; the sensual Man, Voluptuousness." And, indeed, the modest Virgin was soon preferred by him in Wedlock; he rejoiced in making her happy; he was preparing new Clients, he said, for his own Children, that, by their Care and Guardianship, they might hereafter render them still more happy. Such were the Effects of his Beneficence! they ought to be recorded in Letters of Gold, inscribed on Adamant, or rather deeply engraved on the warmest Affections of all Mens Hearts. This was not all: He meditates the erecting of an Asylum for the Reception, and establishing a Fund, for the Maintenance of all the Poor, Infirm, and Old, on his Estate. The Greatness and Utility of his Design give him a Presage of Death, which he never feared. Conscious Integrity is never struck with Terror: It is the wicked Man that fears, that trembles, at Shadows; and when Fear seizes the Soul of such, it is strong enough to destroy them. The tremendous God of Israel opposed Nothing but Terror to whole Nations. The beneficent Man could appeal to the Testimony of a good Conscience, of a Life well spent; yet he might have Death before his Eyes, and, in this View, he assembles his Children: "You have been born with Sensibility, said he, or I have taught it you. The Distressed have often seen you shed Tears, and Heaven, that has blessed me with its Favours, has made me a Witness of them. Behold these unfortunate People, whose Eyes are fixed on you only. I have always told them, place your Confidence in my Children; they will surely relieve your Distresses. Old Age, my dear Sons, threatens me with the Dissolution of my mortal Frame; promise to carry my Design into Execution, and your Father will die in Peace." They promised, and their Promise was more sacred than an Oath. The Monument was raised, and consecrated to Beneficence. Each Day that happy Father received in his Children the Reward of his Virtues. Tears, the sweetest Tears, trickled from his Eyes, on hearing the Sensibility of his own Nature address him from the Mouth of his youngest Son: "Let us go, Papa, and comfort our good People." He went, and died in the good Office.