248 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



Tracy with interest and great respect. His wit was ever 

 ready and racy. His judgment exact. His spirit elevated 

 and true. Few of my political contemporaries have left a 

 deeper or stronger impression on my memory and heart. 



With respectful remembrance of your son, to whom I 

 desire you to present me, 



I am, truly and respectfully, yours, 



QUINCV, August, 1856. JOSIAII QuiNCT. 



P. S. If a few copies will be acceptable to you, I will 

 send them by express. In plain truth, I arn desirous to 

 give the work as much publicity as I can. Not from vanity. 

 Heaven forbid ! What is vanity or praise to a man of 

 eighty-Jive ? But I think it calculated to do good, and hope 

 it will. 



The following note, of a later date, from the same 

 veteran patriot, is too characteristic to be omitted : 



FROM HON. JOSIAH QUINCY (SENIOR). 



Professor Silliman : 



DEAR SIR, I thank you for the interest you express in 

 your letter of the 16th ult, on account of my late accident, 

 and you ask me to ask my daughter to give you the state 

 of my health. It is my rule never to cast labor on another 

 which I am able myself to perform. The accident was 

 severe, laying open a deep wound of six or eight inches in 

 my skull, half cut, half bruised. It shook a little the 

 economy of my brain, and has kept me above ten days a 

 little cautious of putting it to any but moderate use. I have 

 great reason for thankfulness. The newspaper account was 

 exaggerated. They want exciting paragraphs, and exag- 

 gerate for dramatic effect. Be assured that I am in every 

 respect in my usual health, and always 



Truly yours, 



Bos i -r 18, 1858. JOSIAH QuiNCY. 



