THE LATE SENATOR SUMNER.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1905, 14 September 1874, Page 2

THE LATE SENATOR SUMNER.

The Washington correspondent of the " A-lienseum " writes of Mr Sumner : — " He wa* familiar with the li'eranire of ma «y lant,nages, and peopl-sfrom a dista'ice frequently came to Washington to consult him abo;it mysterious books and mmuscripts. His occasional orttion3, legal arguments, speech^ in Congress, and miscellaneous writings were sufficiently abundant to make ten or twelve volumes, and a very beiutiful edition, of i hem wis in course of publication at the tim e of his death. By way ■>f sho .ving the interest he felt in his unfinished work, I may mem ion that during one of the paroxysms of pain on the night preceeding his death, he made this remark : My bo >k, my hook, I should not regret this ha I I finished my bo f> k. His style of writing was no:ed f.>r its terseness, as well as for whit hts been 'eroaed a gigantic morality, aud his ability in illustrating his thoughts by refere.ee to uhe treasures of andsiit learning was something rare. Thd range of subjects upon which his mind feasted was well-nigh without bounds ; lv story aud poetry, philosophy and the -cienees, all contributed to his enjoyment; and th> j re was an earnestue-ia and lofty integrity in ail thath-* did, with his pen and as an orator, which, commanded the respect of even his political opponents, and was a cause of admiration •>n the part of M 3 friends. As a means of s lf-educ ition, and als > for the benefit of his health, he visited Europe a number of ti'ne3, made many friends among the highly cultivated wherever he went ; and among his foreigu correspondents were many of the leading statesmen and authors of the Oil World. He was an advocate of all «ood measures intended to educate the people, and ever munificent i i his donation to the literary institutions of the country, and especially to Harvard University. As an orator t Mr Sumner stood well-nigh alone. Having been unf irtunate in his marriage, he lived after the manner of a bachelor. His house in Wa hington was completly filled with rare bo iks, valuable pictures, and miscellaneous works of beauty. His means were always ample, and yet he was wont to sprtak of himself as poor, because it requried so much money to gratify his tastes. He wis devoted to all kinds of art, thoroughly posted in its literature, and had a special fondness foe the art of engraving : a thousand dollirs for a proof print w >uld, at any time be forthcoming, when he happened to be, fired with the desire of posession."