New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-13
MR.. LOWELL DEAD.
HE BREATHES HIS LAST AT HIS HOME IN
CAMBRIDGE
PARTICULARS OF THE LAST ILLNESS OF THE
POET AND DIPLoMATIsT-INrENsE SUFFER-
ING BORNE LONG AND PATIENTLY
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
tBY TELEGRAPH THE TKmUSE.I

SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TKmUSE.I
Boston, Aug. 12.-James Russell Lowell died OF
9 10 O'Clock this morning at his home, Elmwood,
Cambridge.
Mr.. Loweil's death WIS due 10 tumor on the
liver, the origin of which zoe back 10 his serious
illness Of eighteen months ago. During this
period he has been an intense sufferer. but he
has borne his sufierngs with immense fortitude,
patience and cheerfulness He died in ignorance
of the nature of his malady, never having cared TO
be informed about it. He was confined TO his
house for over five weeks. being attended by his
son-in-law, DR.. II. p. Walcott in the absence
abroad of DR.. Morrill, Wyman, who has always been
his physician, but it is understood that Dr. Wy
mans advice was sought and received by mail.
In addition to the services of his physician.
two trained nurses have been constantly
by Mr. LOwells side. About two weeks
or more ago he became deirious and up
TO Monday he recovered consciousness only at
brief intervals, when he gave members Of his family
signs of recognition. lie seemed 10 think he
was far away from home, and appeared to long
to get back to Elmwood and his family. At
times too, he fancied he was entertaining royal
visitors. Though unquestionably the pain was
great, he made no complaint. Last Sunday he
seemed BETTER and the delirium left him. On
Monday he appeared brighter than at any time
during his long illness Up to that time the room
had been cool but the patient then began to show
the effect of the heat. On Monday afternoon
when the nurses changed the ledding he suffered
intensely when moved, and finally said oh, why
don't you let me die" These words were his last.
lie seemed from that time to lose heart and
gradually his life faded away. He continued in
a comatose condition until . 2l5 o'clock this morn
ing, when the last spark of life went out. Be
side him in his last moments were the sister
of his first wife, his daughter, Mrs. Edward
Burnett, and her husband, the eX-Congressman, as
well as nurses and the servants of the household,
to whom he had always been kind that
strong attachment had sprung up.
1t appears that Dr. Wyman, when informed Of
Mr.. Lowel's illness, mentioned to some friends
in England that the disease would undoubtedly
result fatally. This led to the writing of q let
ter of sympathy to Mrs. Burnett who thus re-
ceived few days ago, her first intimation Of
the serious aspect of her fathers case. Since
that time she has been constantly at Elmwood.
1t was decided this afternoon to hold the
funeral services in Appleton Chapel, Harvard
College, on Friday at noon Bishop-elect
Brooks, who is at Bar Harbor with the Rev,
DR.. McYicllar, has been requested by telegraph
Oliver Wendell Holmes and Judge E. r. Hoar
among those who will be asked 10 serve as
pal-bearers. Once month for years on a Sat
urday afternoon they have been ccustomed to
attend together the regular dinners of the Literary
Club, of which DR.. Holmes is president.
Mt. Auburn Will I've the bGrial place.
Few outside the members Of his own family
know how severe had been the physical suffer
ings of James Russell Lowell for the last year.
These sadly privileged few during all that time,
too, had daily occasion 70 observe with what
heroic patience and forttude he bore his suffer.
ngs To suffer and be strong" seemed to he
the guiding principle with him. For the last
twelve months and longer the health Of the poet
and diplomat was a source of ever-present anxiety.
At first it was thought his illness was from
stoInachc affection. To a Nerging on
seventy y-three any trouble with the digestive
organs is in itself a most serious matter 1t
would have been bad enough if he had retained
the original vigOr and strength of a more than
usually strong constitution, but Mr.. Lowell had
suffered, more or less, previously from kidney
complaint, and the original trouble with th.
organ renewed itself his general health de-
clined. From the first he was unable 10 take much
outdoors exercise. What little he did take was
in the form of carriage drives and "A few turns in
his garden when the state of the weather permitted
He passed a good deal Of his time in his
library, but he did no writing. The day was done
when brain and pen would co-oeprate in material
izing for admiring world the bright,
beautiful and tender pictures of refined
and delicate fancy. 1t was found nee
esSay as his sufIerings increased 10 ad-
minister Opiates to assuage the pOignancy of his
pains But not even when his anguish Of body
was most intense did he give way 10 querulous-
ness or complaining. His greatest care and con-
Germ seemed TO be to conceal his sufferings from
his attendants, whom he wished to shield as much
rs he could from sorrow on his account. To them,
and especially to his daughter with whom he fire.
luently demonstrated for her ceaseless and wearing
attendance upon him, he said not infrequently
Why should l give you so much troubleP Why
,an you not let an old man die p
Mr. Lowell had greatly regretted that the STATE
Of his health would not admit Of his passing
the summer at his usual summer resort in South.
boro'. He had a true poets love for country
scenes and places Nature held delights for him
in any and in all her aspects. II never out
If season with him in the country. Those whG
enjoyed intimate relations with Mr. Lowell say
that he was never the same man since the death
Of his wife, companion who, besides being in
closest sympathy with him in his literary
predictions, was ever solicitous for his
physical comfort. lhe auction OF THIS pair f0f
.ach other was most tender and deep. She made
t her own personal care TO see that he was not
permitted to pursue his literary work or recrea-
ion TO the injury Of his health. HowsOeycr
charming the volume in which he might be for
he time engrossed and however intent he might
,e celebrating and rounding out the particular
rome or stanza, whenever Mrs Lowell deemed that
he time WAS come for exercise and food she
yould invade his hall of delight and bear him
n her prisoner and her care was needful, for, al
bouph Mr. Lowell regarded as a leisurely
writer. and although us an author he could do
,othnr or would do nothing, he himself ad-
nitted upon compulsion, ye' Of his own will he
yould work for hours at a time.
For more than thirty years lac and the firm Of
Jouohton. MifHn * Co. had borne TO each other