26 Gehring, William Brewster: An Appreciation. [j" n 



deal and talk with a woodsman, guide or any of the simpler folk in 

 the humbler walks of life with whom he came in contact during the 

 many years wherein he studied birds in their haunts, but felt the 

 charm with which he made that man feel at ease and upon a level 

 of common manhood. And indeed, this was not manner in the 

 least, — it was but simple sincerity. 



From all men did he feel that he could learn, all men did he 

 respect, and with all men did he feel as man to man. It was 

 instantly apparent that he was one who took for granted the com- 

 mon manhood between them and who therefor brought out from 

 them only that which was fine and true. The mere mention that 

 one was a friend of his was to open the way to their hearts, and the 

 claim of his friendship anywhere was a title to respectful recogni- 

 tion. What could we more earnestly desire for ourselves than that 

 our own names might be as touchingly inscribed upon the hearts of 

 our fellows as this of our dead friend, who without knowing it, 

 simply because of inherent human kindliness, enveloped himself 

 in an atmosphere of graciousness and good will! 



As his old-time physician as well as friend, I had watched with 

 growing solicitude a condition of gradual but increasing disability 

 for a period of over two years. The insidious disease, as yet uncon- 

 quered by Science, which brought his earthly life to a close, made 

 the outlook increasingly hopeless. As he sought help from various 

 sources he bore with wonderful docility and patience the failure to 

 receive relief. He clung to every alleviation as to a buoy by which 

 his courage might be upheld, until there came a day and an hour 

 which can never be forgotten, when from lips that loved him came 

 the answer to those gravely questioning eyes ! He bore the message 

 bravely, though he longed to live. Then to the one for so many 

 years nearest his life, he tenderly spoke of happy years, leaving 

 messages with her for clear and intimate friends, and affectionately 

 thanked the faithful attendant who had ministered to his comfort. 

 It will suffice to say that with a calm and simple resignation, with 

 the dignity of soul that was his when in the midst of strength and 

 the abundance of life, William Brewster accepted the inevitable, 

 and his last days were mercifully veiled by unconsciousness as he 

 drew near to the portal of the Great Unknown. 



William Brewster had the Listening Soul! Of all things did he 



