48 Thirty-Third Annual Meeting 
there will be found the attributes, in riches, which must worthily 
keep his memory green. 
What matters it that in not all things he had the power some 
other might possess; that in not all undertakings he climbed the 
possible heights? Be sure his ideals fell not below the justest 
aims; be sure if any rose higher it drew not envy but encourag- 
ing cheer from this honest heart whose delight was in good 
things well done for men. 
Our purpose is no obscuration by clouds of praise, but to 
limn in just and clear perspective, the true image of the good 
soul which, casting its earthly cerements, has obeyed the master’s 
call. Yet my foot trembles on the threshold of trial and desire. 
For he was my intimate friend, and for more than thirty years 
we footed the path of life in close companionship. I loved him; 
I know he loved me. 
Beyond the holy circle of family and fraternal tenderness, 
none other ever so familiarly permeated all the byways of my 
aspirations, purposes, thoughts, and work; none other was so in 
and out of me, joyously welcome at every hour, none so cheering, 
soothing, helpful, faithful, so honestly to rejoice in things ap- 
proved in the doing; alas! not so to palliate shortcoming in ends 
or deeds. What would have been, must be, life with no such 
friend! What a boon from heaven, at one’s right hand to have 
such true and trusty sympathy, tender as woman’s, yet sturdily 
strong in intellect and righteous in character to sustain and 
share, with unbending spirit, the projects, studies, aspirations, 
yea, indignations, which the problems of life force upon every 
stirrmg mind! How lghter he the burdens of care, of deep- 
moving mediations, when there is a yoke-fellow in trusty inter- 
course, to share, with responsive counsel! Earth can proffer, be- 
yond the bounds of domestic bliss, no better joy! If by and bye 
such ties are renewable, the mortal stroke knocks indeed, at the 
door of happiness and heaven. 
BOYHOOD. 
Bryant was born among the rocky ridges of the Green moun- 
tain state, at Milton in Chittenden county. 
