FAMILY LIFE AND CHARACTER 217 



sincerely," and the signature, were written in 

 a firm hand which belied the infirmity alleged 

 in the letter. 



Although he made much of his growing 

 infirmities he had no fear of death, and his object, 

 I believe, in so often referring to them was simply 

 to gain more sympathy, for he was, in some 

 respects, an exceedingly sentimental man. After 

 1907, when he had no business to occupy his 

 mind and time, and his weakened eyesight pre- 

 vented him reading the newspaper and books, 

 his mind naturally turned more and more on 

 himself and his family affairs. He spent much 

 time in discussing the provisions of his will (he 

 had unexpectedly received a handsome legacy 

 from a distant cousin a few years before) and 

 in disposing of his belongings to the different 

 members of his family. Many articles of value or 

 interest he actually gave away, while to heavier 

 pieces of furniture he carefully affixed labels 

 bearing the name of the beneficiary and his 

 signature, and sometimes that of a witness. He 

 kept a special note-book in which he entered 

 the names of his children and relatives and a 

 description of the article or things chosen by 



