12 LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON HOWE. 



less restricted by rules. It is not too much to say that 

 there was probably no member of these bodies whose 

 voice was listened to with more interest or whose 

 opinions were more valued. 



The economy of time which Dr. Howe practiced 

 afforded him opportunity for the enjoyment of social 

 life and the pleasure of extending hospitality to 

 friends, professional brethren and strangers. The 

 hour before he resumed his work in the evenings he 

 was generally at liberty to pass with his friends. 

 Many of them will recall his open-hearted cheeriness 

 of manner, and oftentimes the charm of his conver- 

 sation, sparkling with wit and anecdote. He always 

 had the same unaffected simplicity of character. His 

 love and notice of children was marked, and it was a 

 significant tribute of the regard which the children 

 in turn bore to him that those of the neighborhood 

 who but saw him in his daily walks to and from his 

 residence, wept when he was gone. 



Dr. Howe traveled extensively in the services 

 of his profession, and often long distances, having 

 answered surgical calls in twenty different states of 

 the Union, and in some of these many times. Un- 

 doubtedly such frequent journeyings caused him to be 

 disinclined to travel for pleasure. One visit to Europe 

 and one to the Pacific Coast, with an occasional brief 

 sojourn in his native state, almost comprise his vaca- 

 tions. The weeks passed in New England were a par- 

 ticular enjoyment to him, and driving over roads and 

 hills with which he was familiar, he took delight in 

 pointing out the trees he had planted, and the places 

 made doubly charming to him through youthful remi- 

 niscences. He always seemed to live near Nature, and 

 to hear her ''singing a more wonderful song" and 



