Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-12-16


finishing it. any such sensation as Gibbon is
said to have experienced over the last sheet
Of the Decline and Fall. lie replied that the
whole work had ongrossed his mind 10 such a
degree that. before he was aware. he had
written himsolfinto feebleness Of health that
he feared in the midst Of his labor that il
would break him down before he could end
t.; that when at last the final pages were
written, be gave the manuscript to his neph
ew to be conducted through the press. and
throw himself back upon his red cushioned
lounge with an indescribablo feeling of relief
lie added that the great relief Of mind
throughout the whole task had resulted from
the care and pains required in the construc-
tion of the successive chapters.
But what magnificent volumes What a
work for an old man to have achieved What
a fitting close to the labors Of a long and busy
life They unite on one page. and viii per-
petuate In one memory, not ony great name.
but ils great namesake: the Father OF the
American Republic. and tho Father Of the
American Ropubiic OF Letters.
On the plrlor wall hung the cngrayings of
Foeds picture of "Scott aud his Contempt
raries uiiudod 20 itas presenting group
of bis former friends.
eyes, said ne, 81 knew every mun of them
but three and now they are all gone.
''Are the portraits good: inquired
"Se9tts hcad De replied, "is well drawn
though Tho expression lacks something oil
Sr1us force: Campbell is tolcrahic; Lock-
hart's is the worst Lockhart. said be, "wa'
a man OF very delicate organization. but had
a more manly look than is In the picture
"You should write one more book,
hjnted
What is that;'
"Your "reminiscences of those lterar,
friends
"Ah. he exclaimed, "it is too late now
] shall never take the pen again; ! have s.
entirely given up writing, that even my bcs
friends letters ie unanswered. must have
rest. no more books now' ~
Hc referred to che visit, week before, from
Mr. Willis, whose letter ho had just bcei
reading go the H7me .j0uppai
81 avn most glad, said be, "that NJ VII
ljs remembered my uicces they are my house
keepers and nurses: they take such good car
af me that really ! ana the must fortunate ol
bachelor in The world Yes, ho repeated
with a merry emphasis, "the most iortunat
old bachelor in an the world :.
It was delightful to witness ,hc anjmaun
of his manner. and the heartncss Of his graf
itude. as hc continued to relate how they sup
piled his wants-gavc him his medicines q
the right time, without troubling him Ga loo
at tho clock for himse.l-caled him down {
breakiast-cloakcd and shawlcd him )r hi
morning rdc-brought him bis hat ior hi
fine weather walks-and IN every pns.'6lv -vo
numorcd him in every possible whim.
81 call them sometimes my nieces. be sai'
'but oftencr my daughters
As ! rose to go. he brought from Tho cornf
Of the room photograph of littie girl c'
hibiting IL with great enthusiasm. Il was
gift from little child who had come 90 s..
him oycry day during his sickness The pu
tura was accompanied with a note, printed
3 large letters with lead-pencil, by the lit
correspondent, who said she was too young
write He spoke with great vivacity of b
childish visitor "Children," said the o
man. care great pets am very fond Of Il
. little creatures.
The authors study-into which look.
3 for few moments before leaving-is sma
room. almost entirely filled by the great wri
70 ing table and the lounge behind IT, The wal
o are laden with books and pictures, which ey
g IDENTIFY arc re-arraugcd every day by some d.
d icate hand for none Of the books were tur
n bled into corner, and no papers were lyii
n loose upon the table. The pen, too. was la
precisely parallel to the edge OF the lnk-stai
J IA niccty which only womanly housokeep
j. would persovere to maintain Besides, the
' was not speck of dust upon carpet
cushion
e stood reyercntly in the little room-as
II it were a sacred place. Its associations dil
% my mind with as much delight as il h
p been breathing fragrance from hidden flower
On leaving, | carried the picture of it vivid
l. in my mind. and still carry it-the quiet, s
IS clulod, poetic haunt in which great auth
wrote his greatest works
e As l came away, tho old gentlemen bundl
{, his shawl about him, and stood a few m
d monts on the steps. A momcntary burst
d sunshine fell on him through the breah
J. clouds. In that full light he looked still lc
p like an old man than in the dark paror by t
ie shaded window His form was slightly bei
but the quiet humor Of the carly portraits ~
j. still lingering in his face. He was the sai
1T genial generous, morry-oyed man at sevcn'
ne seven as JARVIS had painted him nearly Fl
r. years before. | wish always to remomt
'r him as / saw him at that last moment!
n THEODORE TiLroN.