The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-09
COMMODORE VANDERBILT.
CALMLY CONTEN TIE AP-
PROACH OF THE END.
His Wonderful Vitality Able TO Ent
Substantial Food-rhe Question that bis
Physicians Would not Answer Again.

His Wonderful vitaiity-stii Able to Ent
ubstantiaI Food-The Question that his
Physicians Would not Answer Again.
The stereotyped answer TO morning in
quiries relating to Com m cd ore Vanderbilts con-
diton was given at the house In Washington
place yesterday morning. that he was unchanged.
He passed q restless night, suffering great pain
at times, and awakening frequently. At about
8 o'clock he ate little breakfast Of egg, toast
aud tea. AS the morning progressed, he rallied,
and at noon seemed to be stronger and more
cheerful than on the preceding day.
The Commodore's youngest son, Cornelius
Jeremiah Vanderbilt. visited him early in the
day, and conversed with him for the nrst time
since the commencement OF his illness. He
called on Monday, but did not see the invalid.
Mr. Torrance was also admitted. as we'll as Mr..
wardell. the Comm odores clerk. who received
his usual instructions In relation to the business,
his employer speaking to him as calmly and ra-
tionally as though he bad been sitting In his Of
nee In unimpaired health.
At noon the physicians met In consulta ion
and, although IL was apparent that the invalid
was gradually sinking, with intermissions Of
temporary Improvement such as he experienced
yesterday, the decline was SO slow tnat his de-
mise, though Inevitable, might possibly be de-
layed for ortneht or more.
The Commodore appetite was hardly so
good yesterday as II was on Monday; but he,
neverthe eiess, enjoyed what he ate, aud was aole
to eat such substantial food as beefsteak, eggs,
and t1ast. He was supplied iiberally with
watermelon. which was especially acceptable to
him. and Is, bis physicians say, exceedingly
beneficial.
Among tho visitors yesterday were DR.. Deems,
with whom the Commodore spoke for some
time upon religious topics, and Mr.. william H.
Vanderbilt, who called two or three times, and
sat with his father the greater part Of tho even
ing.
The physicians say that although the recent
hot weather has bad its inevitable debilltatng
eneot upon the Commodore, II has acted oenen
ctally upon his complaint. Diseases Of tho
nature of that with which he 10 afflicted are
always benefited by bigh temperature, and are
lees perious in warm climates, where the suf-
ferer perspires freely, as has been the case with
Commodore Vanderbilt for some days past, than
In cold and inclemeDt countries.
1he patient, for his own part, is rarely de-
ceived by the sudden changes In his condition.
He has verv little hope OF his ultimate recov-
cry, and although, with the vacillsting temper
OF d dying man, he is sometimes sunk In de-
preston, aud as often in almost ouoyant spirits,
be hardly ever gives expression to an expecta-
great age.
Yesterday. as one OF the Commodore phvsl-
cians was sitting by his bedside the patient sud
denly sked, Doctor how long will u be before
my funsrdf" Tie doctor replied, II have al
ready TOLD you twice that you are dying, but
snan't speak Of IL again."
At 10 o'clock the Com m odore was moved from
the bed In the front room oil the second story,
which be bad occupied through the day, and
was placed In the back room. He was quiet.
suffering very little pain, out was not SO strong
as he was during the day.
The evening wss passed quietly, though the
| Com modore did not sleep. Drs. Linsiy snS El-
| liot remained IN the house during tbs night. At
| one o'clock the Commodore WIS resting COM
| fortably.