THE LAST YEARS 373 
able change in Mrs. Agassiz’s physical condition took place; 
she had no illness, but various minor indispositions left her 
visibly older and she remained more or less of an invalid 
through the autumn. Yet although the years then first 
began to exact their toll, she was able to resume many of 
her activities before the winter had passed, and the account 
of her visit at Hamilton given below as well as the record 
of some of her days shows that she by no means lost all 
her earlier vigor in 1900. Time treated her gently, but be- 
ginning with the late summer of that year,“ the leaves look 
pale, dreading the winter’s near.” 
October 13, 1900. — Had a quiet morning. Dined 
or lunched early after reading score of Beethoven 
mass. Went to rehearsal. Did not feel fatigued. 
October 23. — A book when I am alone. I am finding 
refuge in the Carlyle literature. I have read it all be- 
fore years ago, but it not only bears but gains by a 
second reading — the four volumes of Froude, the 
Letters and Memorials, the Reminiscences — wonder- 
ful presentation of a life. 
October 25. — Oh, how wonderful is this experience 
of old age! No one knows till they reach it how pass- 
ing strange — on the brink of the Unknown! I re- 
member dear Sallie’s pregnant saying, ““How much 
do you know of tomorrow? it is as much closed to 
you as the greater future.” 
December 24. — Governor Wolcott’s funeral — the 
whole town in mourning for a man beloved and re- 
spected by every one, “stainless and fearless.”’ Christ- 
mas at Shady Hill — an interesting occasion always 
— cheerful and informal, in the spirit truly Christ- 
