us a call on your return, for I had many things I wished to say to you, but I heard of you at the cars with the reasons which urged you onward.

He is

Our poor son is nearly gone. The long, dark night of death is closing around him, and in a few days at most, and probably in a few hours, he will have finished his earthly career. calm and resigned, and deeply thoughtful, and in these his last moments gives the clearest evidence that his mind was one of no common mould. I knew not until now how strong was my expectation in his future success and usefulness.

We are deeply pained and afflicted, and need the sympathy and consolation of our friends. May the God who upholds all enable us to pass through the trial which speedily awaits us

Sincerely yours,

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. DICKINSON TO MR. CROSWELL.

BINGHAMTON, October 17, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-The anticipations expressed in your note just received, prove too painfully true. My poor boy, in whom my heart was bound up more than in all else of earth, terminated his existence this morning. He was conscious to the last, and died with the calm philosophy and resignation of a Christian, and left for his friends all the consolation which a reliance in future happiness affords.

I feel, as do my family, deeply bereft and stricken, and shall not soon contemplate the matters upon which you write with attention or interest. I have handed your letter to Mr. Birdsall, who will probably address you. I am

Sincerely yours in affliction,

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. STRONG TO MR. DICKINSON.

OSWEGO, October 20, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-Will you and Mrs. Dickinson allow Mrs. Strong and myself (as well as every member of my family, who

unite with us) to offer you and your family our sincere condolence and sympathy for your late bereavement?

Your "poor boy " has indeed left you forever, so far as this world is concerned; and we do not forget that it is not long since we saw you deploring with calmness, but in bitterness of sorrow, the loss of an amiable and favorite daughter. If I knew how to address you on such a sad occasion, without on the one hand appearing obtrusive, or, on the other, omitting what might be proper and acceptable, I should be most happy to do so. Whatever may be our situation in life, death is a very solemn thing when it comes home to our firesides, and to those we know and esteem. It will excite serious reflection, and why not?-When the young die, certainly those who are advanced in life, or of mature age, should reflect that eternity-boundless and limitless eternity-is just before them, separated only by a moment of time. Such have been my own reflections when endeavoring to place myself in your situation, and to participate with you in the grief which you must experience in this renewed domestic affliction. If I cannot feel your loss as a parent, I can do so as a man, and a friend. Few persons live to sixty, or to fifty years, without knowing what it is to lose those who are near and dear to them. My own heart is not a stranger to this terrible ordeal.

I knew and esteemed your son. I noticed him often in early childhood, and he used to seem pleased with my attentions. As he grew into manhood, I always fancied that I could perceive many fine traits of character, that only required mature age, and the experience of the world, which that necessarily brings, to have made a solid and useful man. But like most of the millions who have lived on this earth, he was destined to die young. There is a consolation in the conviction that there is another and better state of existence; and most of all others is that person to be envied, in my judgment, who can assure himself that he will enjoy it, the moment he ceases to exist here. To you, who know me, these sentiments may seem strange. They are, however, such as I have long entertained. Once more, tendering you, from my heart, the sincerest condolence and sympathy,

I remain, as ever, respectfully, your friend,

STEPHEN STRONG.

MR. DOUGLAS TO MR. DICKINSON.

CHICAGO, ILL., October 21, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-Your kind favor of the 3d inst. has reached me at this place, having been forwarded from Washington. I was able to leave there a few days after the adjournment, and took the Erie route, but was unable to stop over a day, as I was in a hurry to get home. I had the pleasure of seeing your friend, Birdsall, a moment at the depot in your place, and to learn from him that you were well. It was the first time I had travelled that route. I was delighted with it, and think it far preferable to the one by Albany. Your town is a charming place. I have seen nothing like it in all my travels, taking the town and surrounding country into view together. I shall gladly avail myself of the first convenient opportunity to make you a visit.

I have the honor to remain

Very truly your friend,

S. A. DOUGLAS.

MR. CLINTON TO MR. DICKINSON.

BUFFALO, October 21, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-I am deeply grieved at the melancholy intelligence contained in this morning's Argus. I know what it is to suffer from such blows, and how sadly ineffective even the voice of sympathy is to assuage the grief occasioned by them. But it is the privilege of friends to express their sympathy, and I would be pained at being deprived of it in this instance. Your many acts of kindness have won my affectionate regards, as your public course commands my respect and approval; and I assure you that very few, if any, out of your immediate family connections can deplore this calamity more truly, or be more anxious to testify their sense of it, than am I. God bless you, is my fervent prayer.

Most respectfully and sincerely

Your friend and servant,

G. W. CLINTON.

MR. PRUYN TO MR. DICKINSON.

ALBANY, October 23, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-Permit me to express to you the sympathy I feel for yourself and Mrs. Dickinson, in the loss you have sustained in the death of your son. I am aware that friends can say but little to console you. The trials of life must long since have led you to seek those aids and supports in trouble, which a firm reliance in the truths of revelation alone can give. That they may sustain you at this trying time I have no doubt. Mrs. Pruyn begs to be particularly remembered to Mrs. Dickinson, and to assure her that she has her warmest sympathies.

We shall be very glad if, when you leave for Washington, you will come this way, and spend a few days at our house. We promise that you shall be perfectly quiet and retired. You will, of course, bring your daughter with you. The change of air and scene will be of benefit to all of you, and we shall make you at home if you will only come to us. With great regard, most truly yours,

JOIN V. L. PRUYN.

MR. DIX TO MR. DICKINSON.

NEW YORK, October 25, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-My wife and I were very much pained to observe that the apprehension you expressed in respect to your son, when I saw you at the Irving House, was so soon realized; and I beg you to believe that we both sincerely sympathize with you and Mrs. Dickinson in your affliction. It has pleased heaven to spare us such a trial as yours. On you and your excellent wife the hand of affliction has indeed been heavily laid. If we could say one word which could afford you consolation, you know how freely it would be spoken. But in such affliction the heart is its own best comforter. Yet the sympathy of friends is always grateful; and it is to assure you and Mrs. Dickinson how much we lament your loss that I write you this brief note. My wife will never cease to

cherish for her a sincere regard, and, with my kind remembrances to her, I beg you to believe me

Truly yours,

JOHN A. DIX.

BISHOP DELANCEY TO MR. DICKINSON.

GENEVA, November 23, 1850.

MY DEAR SIR-I passed through Binghamton a short time. since, and regret that I was not able to stop a day and call on yourself and Mrs. Dickinson, and express to you in person my sympathy with you in the recent affliction with which you have been visited, and to assure you of my prayers that God would sustain and comfort you by His grace. Let me intrude upon you to say this by letter. You have had heretofore such trials as, I have no doubt, have led you both to the only sure fountain of relief, "the very present help in every time of trouble." I need not, therefore, direct you to that throne of Grace, which you have already sought, nor seek to convince you of what you already admit, that affliction springeth not from the dust, but is overruled and applied by a power and wisdom above us. Let this new trial be met with the patient submission and humble improvement which the dealings of an Heavenly Father, as merciful as he is wise, calls for from us, his erring children. Commending you and yours to the divine support and blessing in the mercies and grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I remain sincerely

Your friend and Bishop,

W. H. DELANCEY.

MR. RANDALL TO MR. DICKINSON.

CORTLAND VILLAGE, December, 1850.

I

MY DEAR SIR-Your note reached me this evening. should have written you long since to express to you the sorrow I feel for you in the sad bereavement you informed me of in your last letter from Binghamton. But the subject is so painful that I have shrunk from approaching it. I knew not