102 HELEN ABBOTT MICHAEL 



self realized that her case was very critical, and prepared for 

 the worst. After a long and trying illness which was vainly 

 ameliorated by a summer spent in Dublin, New Hampshire, 

 she passed away in Boston on the twenty-ninth of Novem- 

 ber, 1904. The funeral took place in Philadelphia on the 2d 

 of December, and she was laid to rest in Laurel Hill Ceme- 

 tery. At the funeral service, one who had been for some years 

 a friend of her family spoke a few heartfelt words which may 

 be echoed here : 



" We cannot help recalling the universality of her personal- 

 ity and its many-formed expression, of her wide sympathies 

 and appreciations. We must realize that as, after all, humanity 

 is the essence of religion, she was deeply religious. We must 

 mention the many polished facets of her jewel-like mind, and 

 how she won distinction in music, languages, expression, 

 both prose and poetic, in scientific research, and finally, even 

 in the few months of her active practice, in medicine. We 

 are certain that medicine, being both subjective and objective, 

 and bringing her into ever closer touch with humanity and its 

 needs, spiritual and physical, washer final and most fitting 

 expression." 



He remembered her loving kindness to all who came into 

 contact with her, in whatever capacity, and her respect for 

 their individuality. 



A paraphrase of her own brief "memorial paper" to the 

 memory of Dr. Brinton, published in the " Conservator " of 

 September, 1899, might fittingly characterize Dr. Michael's 

 relations to others : 



" Her influence in stimulating the younger minds of her ac- 

 quaintance to more active growth was one of her pronounced 

 characteristics. An hour spent in her presence enabled those 

 so favored to carry away the germs of many a fresh thought 

 and inspiration. To the few who possessed the key to unlock 

 the inner storehouse of Dr. Michael's mentality was revealed 

 a treasure-house of richness not to be forgotten." 



These words will be appreciated by the circle of those who 

 used to gather at her house or elsewhere and discuss every 

 imaginable topic of religion, philosophy, poetry, art, science, 



