200 A SAGA OF THE SEAS 
Hollow, as described by Washington Irving, and not far 
from the huge Pocantico estate of the Rockefellers. 
Like his friends in England, Field was now equipped to 
entertain guests either in the city or the country. Many dis- 
tinguished persons visited at Ardsley, both British and Amer- 
icans. The roomy house and the extensive grounds were par- 
ticularly appreciated by his children, now growing into young 
men and women. As an indication of Field’s social nature, 
the following letter from the distinguished preacher, Henry 
Ward Beecher, is typical and amusing: 
May 7, 1870. 
My dear Mr. Field,—On Friday noon, as I sat writing in the 
Christian Union office, about twelve of the clock, it suddenly 
flashed across me that I had engaged to breakfast with you at nine 
of the morning, alas! and have only to say in excuse that I forgot. 
Ordinarily that would be an aggravation, for it would argue 
indifference; but in a man who forgets, he is grieved to say, fun- 
erals, weddings, and social engagements; who forgets what he 
reads, what he knows, it ought not to be considered as a specific 
sin so much as a generic infirmity. I pray you forgive me, and 
invite me again! Then see if I forget. 
I am very truly yours, 
Henry Ward Beecher. 
Both of Field’s parents were now dead, so that the old 
habit of going back to Stockbridge had ceased. His mother, 
Submit Dickinson Field, had witnessed his first triumph and 
fame. She had died in the summer of 1861, eight years after 
her golden wedding celebration, which Cyrus had hurried 
back from South America to attend. The “old parson” had 
died in the spring of 1867, worn out by nearly eighty-six years 
on the earth which he had labored to improve. He had seen 
the final victory of Cyrus in conquering the ocean; had wit- 
nessed the success of David Dudley Jr. in his leadership of 
the American bar; and had rejoiced at Stephen’s appoint- 
ment by President Lincoln to the United States Supreme 
