42 Edward Livingston Youmans. 



books of a sort that Edward, when he had borrowed 

 them, did not think it quite prudent to leave "■ lying 

 about the house." From him was obtained the '' Ves- 

 tiges of Creation," which was read to Edward in the 

 early days of his blindness, and was much talked of in 

 the family. His sister, being always at hand, spent 

 much of her time reading for him. She thus soon 

 became his constant companion and helper, and the 

 relation then established lasted until the end of his life. 

 It was, no doubt, his eager interest in all current ques- 

 tions that served to occupy his mind and save him 

 from utter despondency. 



With settled summer weather his health was mend- 

 ed, and his remaining eye grew so much better that he 

 could walk about without being led. In July he was 

 able to attend the famous Albany convention in which 

 the Liberty party was formed, and after it was over, 

 instead of returning directly home with his father anc- 

 brother, he undertook to make a visit to New York'- 

 He went down the river on one of the day steamers-,, 

 and the shimmer of sunlight on the water put out 

 what little sight he had, so that on arriving at the city 

 he could not go ashore. He returned to Albany on 

 the same boat, and contrived somehow to make his 

 way home. ^ 



This was only one of the first of many relapses that 

 were to tantalize the eager young man and sicken his 

 heart with hope deferred. As the autumn of 1840 

 arrived without bringing the desired improvement, 

 and one of the neighbours happened to be going to 

 New York, Edward was placed in his care and es- 

 corted to the eye infirmary, where Dr. Delafield took 

 charge of his case. After several weeks, although 

 the doctor always spoke cheerfully and gave hopes of 



