The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-09

mems, and TO arrange them on snelVes, IN tne
order of the successive layers in the crust OF the
earth, that while he read at hosle he might see
with his own eyes the order and arrangements
of Nature. He had given much attention 10
physical geography, and Its relation 70 the
the vegetable and animal Kingdoms
over the face of the earth. Among the books
which had occupied his thoughts during the last
year of his life, Humboldts "Cosmos" held a
prominent place. He had read IL through, and
carefully meditated it's contents. He quoted
passages from 1t with expressions OF admiration
for their scientific precision and poetic beauty;
and his general remarks upon the plan, sub
stance and details of the work showed that he
understood it well, and fully appreciated its
grandeur as an illustrious monument of long
and splendid scientific career. He mentioned
with regret that he had so seldom enjoyed, for
any length of time, the society of literary and
scientific men. II have kept very bad COM
pany," he exclaimed, with merry laugh. II
have lived among lawyers, and judges, and
juTymen and politicians, when should have
lived with nature, and in the company of the
students of nature" With ichthyoogy he had
not only sporting but scientific ac-
quaintance. His observation of the habits
OF the fishes in our streams and along our shores
was wonderfully minute and accurate. One OF
the projected occupations of the leisure which
he seemed about to enjoy was, to write book
embodying his personal observations on our
fresh and salt water fishes; and, in the last con-
versation the present writer had the honor OF
holding with him, he commissioned him TO pro-
pound certain questions to Professor Agassiz,
whose classical work on fresh-watcr fishes nc
had recently examined, on some of the facts and
phenomena of ichthyology that had fallen under
his notice, and of which he desired to obtain
scientific explanation. Yet he seemed to have
an inward consciousness that his days were
drawing to their conclusion. In speaking or
plans for the future, he invariably added, 'ff
my life is spared;" and once, when he was urged
to dictate an autoeiok kraphy, he Tephedihyy PIE io,! ~
my life which will be of any consequence to the
| public to know; but perhaps, if God spares my
| life three or four years longer, may do it,"
Last Words on Political Affairs
Mr.. Webster was much interested in poll
| tioal affairs during his last illness. Mr.. Cur
| tbs thus relates his last reference to these
| matters
| After had returned to Marsh6eld that even
| ing, learned that another letter had been re-
| ceived by Mr.. Webster from friend in the city
| of New York, begging that the first one, in re-
lation to the support of General SCOTS nomina-
| tion, might be answered. On the following
morning CThursday) was again with Mr. Web
ster to receive further instructions for the will.
| found him cheerful but very much weakened
| by the progress of the disease. He inquired the
public news, and told him that the State cleo
tiOns in Pennsylvania and elsewhere had resulted
| in great majorities for the Democratic party.
| Yes, =" he said, 'that party will sweep the coun-
! try; the Whig candidates will obtain one or two
| States; and it is well; as a national party the
| Wings are ended" He then spoke of his own
condition, saying, 81 think shall get well, but
| ] may not; and therefore there are two or three
| things which | wish to cay to you" He then
| asked me if had seen the letter received
| ON the day before from one of his friends in New
! York. j replied that had not seen it, but that
| it seemed to me that the original letter, about
| which he had conversed with me previously, ad-
| mitted of an answer to which its sgners could
| take no exception, and that as they were per-
| SONS for whom he had great regard, hoped that
such an answer would be made. He then sad
This is matter of principle and character
| and reputation with me, and will die before /
| do anything, directly or indirectly, from which
| it is to be inferred that acquiesce in the nom
nation made at Baltimore. / ask nobody to vote
| for me, expect it of nobody; find fault with
nobody for supporting the nomination. But i
| cannot and will not say that / acquesce in
| it, Go back TO my original answer to
the New York letter which | dictated, but have
not signed Those are my sentiments. l
say to you now as | said in that answer, that, if
! were to do this thing, should feel my cheeks
already scorched with shame by the reproaches
| of posterity." then read to him n note which
| had received that morning from friend in
Boston, expressing the hope that Mr.. Webster
| would remain firm to his own opinion in this
matter, and not be governed by the wishes of
others. Write to -" said he, 'and tell him
to look over toward Charlestown, and see if
Bunker Hill monument is still standing" This,
| l believe, was the last occasion on which MIR.
| Webster said anything upon any political sub
ject. He appeared from this time forward to
| ulsulleb from nlb NINA all tnOuRnC OF pOnJlcal
affairs; to live only in his affections for those
who were dear to him; and to make preparation
for that great change which might be soon at
hand
PREPARING FOR DEATH.
But although he had thus withdrawn from all
that world of public affairs in which his activity
had been so great and his interest SO deep, he
did not to the last loosen his hold upon other
relations OF his earthly existence or cease to
think and act upon the most minute domestic
concerns with the same exact attention he had
paid to them when in health. Besides his imme-
diate family and servants there were now with
him two of his friends to whom he was tenderly
attached, Mr. Harvey and Mr.. Edward Curtis
his relatives Mr.. and Mrs. Paige, his son-in-law
Mr.. Appleton, Mr.. Leroy, brother of Mrs.
these guests. and of the medical gentlemen who
attended him, made a somewhat numerous
household, for whose comfort he gave directions
from day to day.
On Friday morning. before he gave me the
last instructions for his will, he sent for Porter
Wright, directed the farm-work for the day, and
gave him money to pay the laborers, and all
else due in the neighbOrhoOd. And so he went
on through that day, with all his great faculties
and fancies under the same control that had
marked his whole lle SEEING in the intervals
when he was free from suffering, all who were
= in the house, conversing rs he always had but
with gentle and Overlowing affection that
) seemed to grow stronger and stronger as his
S bodily powers sank beneath the disease which
q was wearing away his life. He had now
become so feeble that he could sit up only for a
, short time lie was placed in an easy-chair,
!, and sat with DIR. Jettries alone. The good
r Doctor tell asleep for moment and Mr. Web
' ster who thought he was silent from sadness,
d sald;-"Cheer up, Doctor; don't be sad-I shall
It get along. The Doctor answered. I'll was not
r sad. Mr.. Webster the truth is, was in the land
y o nod" WELL said Mr.. Webster ''that's all
d right In the course of that evening his ser.