244 SAMUEL FINLEY BREESE MORSE. 



The last time Mr. Morse appeared in public was 

 when he unveiled the statue of Benjamin Franklin 

 in Printing-House Square, in front of the City Hall, 

 January 17, 1872. 



Death came in a few weeks. To his pastor, 

 Kev. Dr. Adams, he said in response to a remark 

 concerning the goodness of God to him in the past, 

 " The best is yet to come.' 7 



Near the last, when the physicians were inspect- 

 ing his lungs, and tapping upon his breast, one 

 said, " This is the way we doctors telegraph." 



" Very good," said the dying man, and passed 

 away, April 2, 1872. 



He was buried with distinguished honors from 

 Madison Square Presbyterian Church, New York. 

 Scientific, philanthropic, and religious institutions 

 everywhere adopted resolutions of respect for his 

 memory. A solemn service was held in the hall 

 of the House of the Representatives at Washing- 

 ton, April 16, with appropriate addresses from 

 Garfield and others. An oil painting of Professor 

 Morse hung in front of the main gallery, sur- 

 rounded by the historic words, "What hath God 

 wrought ! " Telegraphic messages were sent from 

 Europe, Asia, and Africa, to this memorial meeting. 

 Did any of those present remember how Congress 

 allowed him nearly to die of despair and want, 

 only a few years before ? Truly a life that reads 

 like a romance, in its misfortunes and its fortunes ! 

 Through all the days of poverty, as well as pros- 

 perity, Morse preserved his earnest Christian char- 



