HIS LAST DAYS. 315 



Afterwards, as Professor Silliman appeared to be 



decidedly better, a message to that effect was also 



sent. On Sunday evening, the 20th, he received as 



usual the group of relatives from the adjacent houses. 



He said that he needed exercise, and took his cane 



to walk. In passing the sofa, he took the hand of a 



little grandchild, and walked with her for some time 



through the rooms, appearing much interested in his 



conversation with her. As he resumed his seat he 



drew her still younger sister to him, and kissing her, 



said : " The dear old gentleman is not very strong, 



and feels too tired to walk any more to-night ; he has 



walked with one dear little girl, and next Sabbath 



night he will walk with this one." As usual, he had 



a gentle word for every one. It was remarked that 



during these last days some kind expression that 



might well serve for a farewell to each of his near 



friends, was uttered, seemingly by accident. In truth 



such kind words, sincere as they were kind, might 



have been noted on any other week, but now they 



were not forgotten. On Monday he wrote a letter 



of condolence to a neighbor, Mr. Wilcox, whose son 



had died in the war. And on the same day he wrote 



a note to his aged friend, Miss Whittlesey, who had 



been his friend from childhood. In the lively letters 



exchanged between him and early companions, sixty 



or seventy years before, the name of this lady, a 



general favorite in the social circle to which both 



belonged, is frequently mentioned. Now she was 



ninety -one years old, and very feeble in mind and 



body. Yet she was able to appreciate the kindness 



that dictated this letter. 



