258 Reminiscences of the late Mr, Whitney. 



during his excursion through the Eastern States in 1816. It is per- 

 fectly characteristic of Mr. Whitney that his attention was directed 

 even to the mangers for the cattle, and to their fastenings. The latter 

 are so contrived, by means of a small weight at the end of the 

 halter, that the animal could always move his head with facility, but 

 could not draw out the rope so as to become entangled in it, nor 

 could he easily waste his hay. The fastenings of the doors, as well 

 as all the other appendages and accommodadons are equally in- 

 genious. 



The great water wheels, which move the machinery of the manu- 

 factory, are constructed entirely of wrought iron, combining the great- 

 est strength, durability and beauty, with a projectile power like that 

 of the fly-wheels in steam engines. They are elegant objects, espe- 

 cially when in motion. 



Mr. Whitney did not forget the domesdc arrangements of his own 

 house, which contained many specimens of that ingenuity which he 

 evinced in common things, as well as in those that are more important. 

 The several drawers of his bureaus were locked by a single move- 

 ment of one key of a peculiar construcdon, and an attempt to open 

 any drawer except one, would prove ineffectual, even with the right 

 key, which however, being applied in the proper place, threw all the 

 bolts at one movement. These bureaus are now in the house of 

 Mrs. Whitney. 



During the decline of his health, and especially during his severest 

 attacks, I was with him almost daily, and saw how intensely his pow- 

 erful and acute mind was directed to his own case, of which he made 

 himself perfect master.* It has been already stated in the memoir, 

 that his health was subverted, and his life ukimately terminated by a 

 very painful local affection,-}- brought on, as he informed me, by ex- 

 posure and fatigue during the last of his land journeys, through North 

 Carolina, on his way to Georgia, to assert his just claims, so long and 



* Such was the remark made to him by one of the greatest surgeons of this coun- 

 try, who, after a painful examination in one of the great cities, gave him no encour- 

 agement to hope for any permanent rehef. 



t Not only of the prostrate gland, but of the vicinal organs; this was the fatal 

 disease of Mr. Whitney's illustrious friend, the late President Dwight; thus were 

 removed most painfully, from life, two of the greatest and most useful men which this 

 country has produced. 



