CHAPTER XVII. 

 LAST YEARS. 



December^ 1880^ to January^ i88j. Age, SP-^S- 



During the years 1880 and 1881 Mr. Youmans 

 was working with customary vigour in behalf of inter- 

 national copyright. Questions connected with this 

 subject grew out of his work in Europe ten years be- 

 fore, in establishing the International Scientific Series. 

 In 1 87 1 Mr. W. H. Appleton had taken a decided 

 stand in favour of international copyright, and was 

 powerfully supported and re-enforced by Youmans, 

 who returned to the subject again and again, and did 

 excellent service in arousing and instructing public 

 opinion. 



A letter from Tyndall shows that before the end 

 of 1880 the question of Youmans's health was becom- 

 ing serious : 



London, December sg, 1880. 



My dear Youmans : We this day laid the remains of 

 George Eliot in the Highgate Cemetery, and this morning, 

 while I was preparing to join the band of mourners, your 

 letter reached me. A large and reverent crowd surrounded 

 the grave as the coffin, loaded with garlands, was let down 

 into it. 



Last night, at Kew, I had a long conversation with Asa 

 Gray regarding the trust, and he, I confess, dissipated a 

 good deal of the fear that I entertained as regards the 

 trouble imposed upon the trustees. Your letter this morn- 



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