The Nation's Loss

Sunday, the twenty-third of the current month, was an ill-omened day, for on it the Harmoush family lost its elder, the quarter of Musaytbeh its leader, and the homeland one of its devoted men, by the death of the gallant, zealous, and generous benefactor, the late Halim Lutfallah Harmoush, the well-known contractor and a man of honorable patriotic stands. Vast crowds streamed in to walk in his funeral, at their head His Excellency the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Mr. Habib Abou Chahla, and Their Excellencies Messrs. Henri Pharaon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdallah al-Yafi, Minister of Justice, and Sami al-Solh, one of the former heads of government, and the Director of the Interior Mr. Adib al-Nahhas, together with a company of high officials, notables, and men of standing, and a multitude whose end the eye could not reach, drawn from every class and community. On every face were drawn the marks of sorrow and grief. The deceased's many devoted friends would have nothing less than to bear the coffin upon their hands from his house to the burial ground of Mar Elias Btina, in demonstration of the loyalty and respect they cherished for him.

We offer to the Harmoush family as a whole, and to the widow of the deceased and his children in particular, our duties of condolence, asking for them the grace of patience and solace, and for the generous departed the rain of mercy and divine favor.