Year: 1859

HoN. HENRY J. RAYMOND, of the New York
Times, who was passenger with DIR. Bailey
in the Arago, sends to that paper the following
account of his last sickness and death:


STEAMER ARAGo, off Southampton,


Thursday, June 8, 1859


have sad news for my first letter. DR..
Bailey, the well-known editor of the National
Era at Washington, died on board the Arago
on Sunday last, at a little past 8 o'clock in the
afternoon. He came on board an invalid, and
was hoping that relief from toll and change of
scene would restore the strength and vigor
which the incessant and strenuous labors of his
profession had greatly impaired. | had known
for some time before leaving New York that he
was i'll, but was surprised to find-as | saw
him sitting upon deck just after passing Quar-
antine-how thin and pale and feeble he look
ed. l gathered from his conversation that he
did not consider himself to be seriously Ill-at
least that his lungs were not affected-but that
long-continued dyspepsia, and the ner-
vous excitement which his labors had
induced, had combined to bring about
the weakness under which he suffered
For the first two or three days he was
upon deck, for the greater part of the time.
The weather was fresh though not unpleasant
ly cold, and the sea not rough enough to occa-
sion any considerable discomfort. The motion,
however, affected him dsagreeably. He slept
badly, had no appetite and could relish nothing
but little fruit now and then His eldest son
was with him, and attended upon him with all
sons fond solicitude except myself, l do
not think he had another acquaintance on board.
He was cheerful, social and talked with inter
est of everything connected with public affairs
at home and abroad. He suffered some in
convenience from the fact that his room was
below and that he could only reach it by de-
scendlng two pairs of STAIRS. We occasionally
made a couch of cushions for him upon deck
when he became fatigued, but this made him
too conspicuous for his taste, and he seemed
uneasily fearful of attracting attention to him
self as an invalid.


After Tuesday the sea became remarkably
smooth, and SO continued to the end of the
voyage. But it brought him no relief-his
strength failed with failing appetite, and on
Thursday, from staying too long on deck he
took cold, which kept him TO his room next
day. Otherwise he seemed about as usual
through that day and Saturday, and on Sun
day morning seemed even better-sayng that
he had slept unusually well, and felt strength
ened and refreshed. He took some slight
nourishment, and attempted to get up from his
berth without assistance the effort was too
much for him, however, and his son, who had
left the room at his request, but stood at the
door, saw him fall as he attempted to stand.
He at once went in, raised him and laid him
upon the couch. Seeing that he was greatly
distressed in breathing, he went immediately
for Dr. Smith, the surgeon of the ship. l
met him on deck, and hearing of his fa-
theirs condition, went at once to his room.
L found him wholly unconscious, breathing
with difficulty, but perfectly quiet, and seem
mgly asleep. Drs. Beadle and Dubois were
present, and had endeavored to give him a
stimulant-but he was unable to swallow, and
it was evident that he was dying. He contin-
ued in this state for about half an hour-his
breathing became slower and slower, until fl
nally it ceased altogether and that was all
Not movement of muscle--not spasm or
tremor of any kind-betrayed the moment
when his spirit took its departure. An infant
wearied with play on a summers eve, could
not have fallen asleep more gently. His re-
mains were placed in ice and taken to Havre,
from which they will be returned to New York
by the Vanderbilt, which leaves on the 18th
inst.


Not the least affecting circumstance of his
decease is the fact that he leaves wife and
SIX children to mourn his departure. His ell
dest son was the only one of his family who
was with him; but everything possible was
done for him his life, in all probability could
not have been prolonged had he remained at
home-and his death was as peaceful and as
happy as it could possibly have been had it
occurred i'll the midst of those whom he loved
There is something desolate and cherries in
the thought of friends dying at sea but this
is more perhaps in imaginS ton t3an in the re-
Uafty 'fiie anguish Of sfsfeounning friends
certainly can bring no comfort to the parting
soul-and the murmuring Of the waves as they
break peacefully against the couch of the dy-
ing is a more grateful requiem than the roar
of traffic and the hum of business which dis
turb the last moments of one who dies in the
heart of great metropolis