Year: 1867

to prosperity and usefulness, tnat III au eFci "
since its foundation And on this point can cite the
authentic testimony Of President walker, my
fathers third successor, who thus spoke of him at
the dinner of the Alumni, July 10, 1868: i have
been led to review with his administration
of the college, and the effect of it has been greatly
TO increase my sense of tho obligations the college Is
under to him. Sixteen years of more devoted, un-
remitting unweared work in the service OF pupilc
institution were never spent by mortal man. Ana
when we call to mind the state OF things at the te
of bis appointment, it seems to me that ne VIII pe
forever remembered as TIiB GREAT ORGANIZER oF
THE UNIvERsTY.W


Mr. Quincy took his final leave of the presidency
ON Commencement Day, August n, lSfo. lie was
now in the seventy fourth year OF his age. bnt te
had touched him with gentle hand and be hardy
seemed older than he did at his inauguration lis
figure was still erect His step was firm and elias
tic and his voice clear and resonant. His presence
and manner as presiding officer, were as full OF grace
and dignity rs at his first Commencement. The last
stage of his long journey through life was entered
upon by his removal to Boston. Here he enjoyed the
first sweets of absolute leisure lie was not entirely
without outside occupation however, az ne heiu
extensive trusts, and managed all ms own private al


fairs without asking the assistance even OF his own
sons But these filled but small portion OF il'S
time the greatest part of which was at his own dis
posal free from the importunate demands OF pubic
duty His health being unbroken, and all his facui-
ties in the hi CHEST condition they had over been H.
he might reasonably reckon on eight or ten years
more of lifc He could hardly have anticipated that
his life would last nineteen years longer But he set
himself as resolutey to work to meet these mover
conditions of rcpose as he ever had done to en-
counter the various activities Of his former life"
Just before his seventyfourth birthday, he began


dary as q part of his scheme for keeping off the in


roads of old age This diary he continued with only


occasional interruption up TO the end of lSC3 SIX
months before his death, when he had almost COM
pleted his ninety second year He believed III the
philosophy of Cicero that the mental powers are to
be kept in repair in old age by constant activity


Hence he set himself solid tasks Of work, requiring


research and painstaking while his lighter literary
recreatons would be regarded by most men as hard


study He kept up O constant interest in public
affairs expressing his opinion occasion offered, but
without taking active part in them. During the
October before his death. he removed from his
country residence in Quincy 10 Boston for the last
time wien we find tho following entry in his diary:
October 2s-The monsoon gale of existence has
continued 10 fill the sails of my life ever since Au


gust last To-day take leave of my Summer resi-
dence at Quincy possibly-probaby-fo the last
tme Life Mt all times uncertain, is Mt ninety-two
the last running of the sands of its glass have but
little of its grains remaining; but neither wish to
multiply reduce them"


The ninety second year Of his life wore away in the
performance of duties in the enjoyment of society
and in the recreaions Of literature. He showed no
symptoms of diminished mental ability. He was
M alive as ever to the events of the day. and the
pleasures of conversation, But toward the end of
1863 he seemed to forebode the days of darkness.
Though there were new signs OF failing nature lie
A. 4. .l.. IL.
hand II was under the influence of this presentment
that Inc ended his Diary on the evening OF the last
day of the year. is with this tit and beautiful
clnsion: Doccn,bcr 3l.-W,h the close of the year
the conviction that the time has Ia close
this DiIry forever The light of the is with
drawing; but blessed be Heaven the light of the


evening star reveals the hope Of n coming immortal
| ityp His ninety-second birthday was welcomed by


his many friends with their usual tokens Of affection


ate interest Not long after, he was attacked by an
epidemic influenza. from the etitcts OF which lie
recovered lie still able to take the long
drives in the beautiful environs of Boston which


his latest recreation His mental faculties
not weakened, but they grew and more sluggish


During the last few months, be happily suffered
pain But the charm Of living was gone. He longod


for the hour Of his departure. He slept for most of
the time. by day as well az by night, but he would
often sigh for " the sleep that knows waking"
One day he said 10 his son Remember when am
in my grave shall be where wish 10 be- "He still
took an intelligent interest ia the news Of the day


His daughters read the newspapers to him every
morning. and he kept himself advised Of the events
of the war as they occurred The last event which
excited his particular attention and admiration
the great engineering feat of Col Bailcy-pro-
nounced by Admiral Porter in his dispatch, without
sdoubt the best every performed by which ho saved
the fotia of punloats ON the Red River and proha-
bly,. shortened the by one two years. This
great action reused my father to fresh life. He had
the report read twice over TO him. and then if he
had seen OF the travail of his soul and satisfied


he exclaimed. THAT is TRUE GLORY. will hear 10
more On Thursday, the 30th Of June, he was ovi-
IDENTIFY losing strength, and did not leave his cham
ber but il not until noon the 1st of July that
il was perceived that great change had occurred.
No one was with him but his attendant aud his three
daughters during the last peaceful hours until, as
quietly as an infant sinks to slumber, he ceased to
breathe and the spirit returned TO God who gave it,"
The personal traits of Mr.. Quincy in admirable
harmony with the circumstances that gave such q
mellow and beautiful coloring 10 his external life
His mental endowments of brilliant character
His remarkable powers of reasoning were gracousy


blended with lively imagination. He possessed an
almost ntutive perception of truth, though he never
shruDk from laborious and protracted research His
thirst for knowledge ruling passion, and
though often diverted from the pursuits of literature
by the urgencies Of public service he excel
lent classical scholar and had mastered several of
the branches Of physical science With singular
grace and dignity Of person. he combined wonderful
power of expression and illustration which gave him
a. marked superiority to most of the popular orators
of his age as an elegant and forcble speaker
His manners were model of frank and generous