CALVIN ELLIS. 499 



chusetts, or on appeals from others in authority, down " to the front," 

 and sought to give aid to the wounded, to heal the sick, and to care 

 tenderly for them. Twice he returned ill with Southern fever. The 

 fact of his first illness did not prevent him from offering himself again a 

 living sacrifice, if need be, in a war for his country's life and for human 

 liberty. Of late years, when civil service reform is mooted, he has felt 

 much interest in it. " To vote," with him, meant high duty. When 

 comparatively well, he attended primary meetings of the citizens ; and, 

 only a few days before his death, he went from his sick-chamber to the 

 polls, and, after depositing his vote, returned to his bed. Yet he was 

 no politician. He thought he was acting as every honest citizen of 

 this republic, who is not a simpleton, should act. He did his share 

 toward upholding and purifying the government. 



In his social relations no one was ever purer, no one more ready to 

 aid a professional brother. He made no pretence to private or public 

 charity ; but his bounty was great on objects he deemed good. His 

 large bequests to Harvard demonstrate his faith in true learning, and 

 in Alma Mater as dispenser of it. He was liberally progressive, but 

 never fanatical ; he was too thoughtful and prudent for that. Of 

 friends he was one of the truest type. He was most hospitable and 

 courteous ; always cheerful, and enjoyed mirth. He was never married. 



He died after years of suffering, and looking forward without fear. 

 He became partially unconscious as the end approached, and under 

 the influence of narcotics, which, for a long time previously, he had 

 been compelled to use, when suffering very greatly. Before this ob- 

 scuring of the intellect occurred, and within a few hours of his death, 

 he made an accurate diagnosis of the fatal symptom and its sure 

 result, — namely, peritonitis from perforation, — and he calmly met 

 his fate. 



We can now look back upon his life with admiration. We see his 

 strong ancestral traits. We watch his steady, never-failing growth to 

 a wide reputation as a physician, and as one of the noblest teachers of 

 medicine Harvard has ever had. We see him constantly cheerful and 

 honorable, and of an indomitable energy in everything that he under- 

 took, and in every reform for the advancement of his profession. We 

 know that he has left throughout the country hundreds of pupils im- 

 pressed with his high-toned character, and better trained physicians 

 in consequence of his example, his teachings, and the drilling which 

 he cave to them while under his oharge. 



Finally, although he never spoke to us as a body, nor gave us a 

 written communication, has he not left to each Fellow of this Acad- 



