CHAPTER XVI 



THE CLOSE OF LIFE 



Advancing Years The Close of Life Tributes to his Memory Academic 

 Honors The Copley, Wollaston, and Clarke Medals, and the Walker 

 Prize. 



WITH advancing years the interest of Professor Dana 

 in the studies of his lifetime was unabated. His 

 walks, his books, his proof-sheets, his correspondence, 

 continued to occupy his time. He resorted to none of 

 the modern devices for economizing strength by the em- 

 ployment of typewriters or amanuenses. His own pen 

 was always on duty. He received but few visits, and 

 rarely paid any. He avoided all excitements. His days 

 were serene. Letters to different members of his family 

 reveal the same affectionate and considerate nature which 

 was shown in those of his youth. Persons who have only 

 known him at a distance, as a man of learning, dignity, 

 and renown, cannot fail to welcome the glimpses of his 

 private life which are given in two letters, of the same 

 date, addressed to his absent grandchildren, then very 

 young, when the writer was more than fourscore years 

 of age. 



TO HIS GRANDDAUGHTER 



" NEW HAVEN, Sept. 17, 1893. 



' MY DEAR GRANDDAUGHTER MAY 



11 I want to thank you for your good letter which you 

 wrote so nicely. It is delightful to know that you are 



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