The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-08-20
QUIETLY PASSES AWAY AFTER A LONG
AND EvENTFVL LIFE.
Although in Poor Health Fol- Some Time
Past He Had Just Completed Revision
Of His Works in Prgge ana Verse.

BOSTON, Aug. 1l.--Hou. James Rus
sell Lowell died at -:1O this morning
at his home in Cambridge.
1t appears that the poet was taken
sick about five weeks ago. About
two weeks or more ago he became de-
llrlous and up to Monday recovered
consciousness only at brief intervals,
when he gave members of
his family signs of recog-
milton. He seemed to think
he was far away from home and APP
peared to long to get back to Elmwood
and his family. At times he fancied
he was entertaining royal visitors.
Though unquestionably his pain was
very great, he made no complaint.
Last Sunday he seemed better and the
delirium left him. On Monday he APP
peared brighter than at any time dur
ing his long illness. Up to that time
his room had been cool, but he then
began to show the effect of the heat.
On Monday afternoon when the nurses
changed the bedding he suffered in
tensely when moved and finally said:
ooh, why don't you let me die?n
These words were his last. He
seemed from that time to lose. heart
and gradually his life faded away. He
continued in comatose condition till
2:15 this morning, when the last spark
of life went out. Beside him in his
last moments were sister of his wife,
his daughter, Mrs. Edward Burnett
and her husband, eX-Congressman A.
S. Wells and his nurses and the SER
wants Of the household to whom he
had always been so kind that strong
attachment had sprung up for him.
MIR. Lowell himself had never in
quired as to the nature of his malady.
From inquiry it was ascertained that
an old enemy of his, the govt, has
afflicted him almost constantly of late
and that Sciatica, hemorrhages and
latterly severe type of liver disease
have in turn affected him. Mr.. Low
ellis health has been impaired ever
since his return to this country in
1885, after concluding his diplomatic
services OF three years at Madrid and
five at the court of st. James. The
death Of his wife in the midst
of his social and diplomatic success in
London as the representative of this
country had an untoward effect upon
his health, which was then becoming
broken. He returned to his home at
Cambridge, the Elmwood, full of his
tory and here, with brief intervals,
he has spent the whole 70 years of his
life. His wife's loss weighed heavily
upon his mind. Even then he was
beginning to fail in a physical
way and went into society
little, prefering to enjoy quiet
ly the companionship of his
books and gradually dropping into
the recluse life ola semi-invalid. One
or two friends have dropped in from
day to day. His studies have been
pursued whenever possible and his
geniality and lightness Of spirit, even
when suffering, was remarkable. A
complete revision of his works in
prose and verse was undertaken and
completed, "a task in itselfof considera-
bic magnitude and which undoubtedly
made decided strain upon his i'm
paired vitality. He has also written
a. charming introduction to "Isaak
Walton's Works." and contributed
few pieces of verse to the Atlantic.
Mrs. Burnett, his only child has, been
with him constantly. She is his only
near relative, except brother,
Robert, whose whereabouts are I'M
certain.
The funeral will be held Friday at
noon in Appleton chapel, Cambridge.
1t is probable that Bishop-Elect Phil
lips Brooks will officiate.