RUFUS CHOATE of his rivals, — the high contention now hidden by the handful of earth, — ^hours passed fifty years ago with great authors, recalled for the vernal emotions which then they made to live and revel in the soul. And from these conver- sations of friendship, no man — no man, old or young — went away to remember one word of prof aneness, one allusion of indelicacy, one im- pure thought, one unbelieving suggestion, one doubt cast on the reality of virtue, of patriot* ism, of enthusiasm, of the progress of man, — one doubt cast on righteousness, or temperance, or judgment to come. I have learned by evidence the most direct and satisfactory, that in the last months of his life, the whole affeetionateness of his nature — his consideration of others ; his gentleness ; his desire to make them happy and to see them happy — seemed to come out in more and more beautiful and habitual expressions than ever before. The long day's public tasks were felt to be done; the cares, the uncertainties, the mental conflicts of high place, were ended ; and he came home to recover himself for the few years which he might still expect would be his before he should go hence to be here no more. And there, I am assured and fully believe, no unbecoming re- grets pursued him; no discontent, as for injus- tice suffered or expectations unfulfilled; no self-reproach for anything done or anything omitted by himself ; no irritation, no peevishness unworthy of his noble nature; but instead, love 151
