The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-05-17

The "Great Secretary" mas now
reached the winter of life and is liv-
ing quietly in the city of Auburn
a private American citizen; but his
home is a sort of Mecca, to which
his friends and admirers come from
all parts of the world to greet him
him in his old age, and do honor to
his great name. Here have been
the great statesmen and ministers
Of foreign countries, great actors,
great soldiers; here have been Lords
from England, Barons from Russia,
Mandarins from China, while in a
short time will come officials of high
rank from Japan. Here they find a
private gentleman-an American
citizen-but one who dispenses
generously the hospitality of a
Prince. A few months ago this dis
tinguished citizen returned from a
trip around the world, where he re-
ceived the mos marked attention
from Kings and Emperors, accom-
plishing feats which but few men of
seventy-two could have performed.
Returning crippled in both arms, so
as to loose the use of them entirely,
he is nevertheless laboring assidu-
ously every day TO give to the world
the almost in exhaustable fundof in
| formation he has gained in his trav-
els, and will shortly publish it to
the world, giving his views Of the
men and things he has seen during
his trip. The Secretary's residence
is on South street, in the CITY of
Auburn, and though in the heart of
the city and in the midst of an aris-
tocratic neighborhood, is surround
ed by dense shrubbery and almost a
forest of trees, which, in the warm
season, nearly hide the house from
the view of the passer-by. The
grounds are beautifully laid out and
interspersed; here and there can be
seen statuary appropriate in charac-
ter, and evincing the taste of the pro
prietor. Here lives Mr.. Seward in a
house partly old-styled and partly
modern, in elegant retirement, sur
rounded by his family and his
friends, and here he is now engaged
In writing a history Of his travels,
which will be unsurpassed for its
fund of information. Mr.. Seward is
to great degree helpless, of course
as he is entirely deprived of the use
of his hands, thus depending upon
of others, His manner of
passing the day may not be uninter-
esting. He rises at seven in the
morning, and his toilet preparations
occupy him until about eight o'clock,
when he breakfasts with the family, |
after which he takes a walk in the
yard. This the severe weathar
Of the winter has prevented until re-
Gently, and he began to fear that he
should lose the use of his lower
limbs, but the resumption of the ex-
ercise Of walking has apparently full
y restored these important mem
Oers. When he first commenced (
these walks this spring he could on
" walk once around the yard, but
be has gained so fast as to be abe
TO increase to four. At nine o'clock |
after this morning walk, he repairs
to his study and dictates to an aman-
1ensis for his forthcoming book. |
This is kept up until about l O'Clock |
in the afternoon, broken occasionally |
for a walk in the open air. About
one O'Clock he partakes of a lunch,
after which he lies down to rest,
which lasts until about three O'Clock.
At this hour he goes out for a ride
N his carriage, accompanied usually
oy his son, Frederick Seward, and
0ne or two other members of his fam
ly. This lasts until six when he re
turns to the house for dinner. The
is spent in receiving calls
and social enjoyment with his fam
ly. At ten in the evening he re-
Tres. His mind appears to be as
active as ever and is constantly en-
Dloyed. During his journeyings
since his retirement from public life
le has received many curious and
valuable souvenirs of other coun-
,rles, and he who is fortunate
to secdre admission and the
of inspection Of these col
ectiOns is well repaid. AS we enter
he reception room we are at once at
,racted to the many valuable oil-por-
rats which adorn the walls, many
If which are likenesses of members
'f his family, prominent among them
being some exrellent portraits of the h
distinguished Secretary. One in
particular is very fine, being paint
I'd IN 1874. 1t is the study of a full
ength portrait of him painted for
,he City Hall in New York. The
nostprominent of all these pictures
N a Splendid portrait (life size) of
lis estimabIe and greatly loved
laughter Fanny, who died in 1865.
Among the coll, ctions of curiosities
rom foreign countries the first to be
seen is a fine large wooden clock,
made in Switzerland, and elegantly
carved from an oak stump, the fig
lres represented being a hunter kill
ng deer, with other surrounding
figures, The carving is really re-
narkable and elaborate, and is in it