The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-04-14
MIR. Summers Daily Life.


From an interesting letter in the Bos.
ION Journal, we extract tho followipg:
Nothing could be more simple than the
daily lie OF the deceased Senator at bis
home here, when be was not sufferer
from the martyrd ,m of scientific medical
practice. He used to rise about seven,
bathe, shave himself, and carefully dress
for the duties of the day, with the excep-
tion Of his coat for which he would ebhsti.
tute comfortable dressing gown. Then,
going into his study, or "den" as be often
called it. which joined bis bedroom, he
would read the Washington and B4iti.
more papers until the arrival of bio mail
brought from the Senate Post Office
Scanning the budg OF letters, he would
pick out those which he recognized as
from Longfellow, Whittier, Bird, Phil
lips, Curtis, or other personal friends aud
read them before be went down stairs 10
breakfast.
Mr.. Sumner always sat at the north sido
of the large round table, where his simple
breakfast with its cup Of exquisite tea
was served. lie had not drank coffee for
several years prior to death, but be was
conuosseur in teas and was familiar with
the flavor aud taste Of the choicest varie-
ties. While at breakfast he used to read
the New York Eyening Post and the
Springfield Republican Of the doy prqVi-
Gus. with some OF the many newspapers
sent him from all parts of country
NNkH, III. I,c IL ha ,,eaJ o..
receive the visits Of friends, and the room
was often crowded His devoted friend
Mr. Wormley, used also to come 10 to
consult with him on his housekeeping az
ments, which he looked after with care
ful eye,
Mr.. Sumnor usually devoted his time
between breakfast and the assembling OF
the Senate to his Senatorial duties. 10
portions Of these, such as answering let.
ters, drafting bills or reports, or writing
to the departments be was formerly aided
, By those who we're successfully clerks OF
, the Committee on Foreign Relations from
bis election as chairman of that commit.
tee, in 1861 to his deposition in 1871
, since when he had no clerk. OF the sss
, siduity with which he discharged his duty
t as Senator, his Massachusetts constitu-
f ents and the friends of humanity all over
the republic require no evidence.
! The Senator was generally prompt in
' bis attendance in the senate chamber. aud
. he used to stand roverentialy duriog the
A chapain4 PRAYER. His religious belief
/ was simple, yet steadfast, and although
e singulsrl, tree from every trace of cant
i or hypocrisy. his mind was no stranger to
e The ~u!,iinle Influence Of faith in another
e auu be.ter world. As he was ono Of the
; first senators at his post, so he was rarely
D absent from his curule chair until the adj
j journment.
. Sir. SImner has not during the past
! two years, been much of a diner out al
}, though he was guest once or twice e
week at the hosptable table OF his devoted
B. aud valued friend, Hon. Sam Hooper
c 1t appeared, however, 70 be his recreation
n to have friend or two at his own tabs
g and it was then that be was seen to the
- greatast advantage. He was not an cpl
0 cure, but be liked his food well cooked
b and served in courses in the French style
Q With his dinner, be used to drink, very
s temperately, Of light wines, but be never
d used spirituous liquors. | have several
5, times heari him say that he did not be
n lieve that he had, in all his life, drank sc
n much as quart of all kinds Of liquor
|. and that incidentally.
1t Toward the close of the dinner, hi
" Northern mail would be brought him, quo
he woud look over his letters, often com
rs menting on them, and then glance ut ,h
1t Boston Journal, New York Tribune an
III Herald, aud the Philadelphia Press A
/. this time friends would often drop in, ca
10 pecialy politicians As his hall eloel
chimei eight o'clock Mr.. Sumner general
N ly went up stairs, put on his dressing
in gown and went into his study for four o
Il. five hours hard work.
lie OF late years he had seldom wake
d, any distance. but after the adjourumeu
y of Congress he used to enjoy evenin
r rides over the picturesque roads abou
as the metropolis. He did not use tobacc
c. in any form. neither did he play billiard
s. nor cards, Yet be found great sOlace i
as rare books. autographs and engraving
he especially the latter.