Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/462

Rh part of the year 1849 he could neither read nor write, and it was not until July, 1852, after two operations, that he partially recovered the use of his sight. He displayed great energy in the debates of the upper house, and took a leading part in the discussion of many important bills. He was offered a seat in the Cabinet by Lord Stanley, with an earldom. He declined this flattering offer, but acted as a firm ally of the new government. The speeches made by him from 1852 to 186 1 show that his powers of mind were as fresh and strong as they had been thirty years before. Even his last speech, on May 7, 1861, when he was eighty-nine years of age, displayed the old vigor.

The last years of the ex-Chancellor's life were filled with many pleasant literary pursuits. He revived his memories of old writers who had been studied in youth, and greatly delighted in modern science and modern literature. One day his niece found him studying a ponderous legal folio, and said she supposed that was his favorite study. He drew out a small volume from under the folio, and answered, "I like this far better; so well, I wish you would read it. It reminds me of my boyhood." The book was "Tom Brown's School-days."

When the end came, he was ready. His friends asked him if he was happy. In feeble accents he answered, "Happy? Yes, happy." Then, with a stronger effort, he added, "Supremely happy." Soon after ward, in the early morning of Oct. 12, 1863, he passed gently and tranquilly away in the ninety-second year of his age.

This splendid career was achieved by an American painter's son, without resources or influence, solely by the force of industry, high character, and intellectual preeminence.