ELISHA KEtfT KANE. 21 



distiEction ; but in his eighteenth year he was com- 

 pelled to relinquish them, in consequence of a violent 

 attack of rheumatism, and the unexpected appearance 

 of the first symptoms of that dangerous and insidious 

 affection of the heart with which he was afflicted, 

 to a greater or less degree, during the remainder of 

 his life. He was brought home dangerously sick, 

 without having taken a degree. During several 

 months his life was in imminent danger. The 

 nature of his disease was such that the summons 

 of death might reach him at any instant, and ter- 

 minate his existence suddenly and abruptly. During 

 some weeks he may be said to have been hovering 

 over the abyss of the grave, uncertain as to the 

 moment in which he might be compelled to descend 

 beneath its gloomy shadows. 



It was while he continued in this critical situation 

 that an important moral change was effected in his 

 mind. He became devout and conscientious. He 

 adopted certain religious opinions and ethical rules, 

 to which he adhered, with the pertinacious constancy 

 peculiar to his character, as long as he lived. It 

 will not be pretended that all the acts of his subse- 

 quent career were blameless or sans faute ; but that 

 he always believed them to be such will not be de- 

 nied by any candid and intelligent observer of his 

 conduct. 



