_A letter to a German friend--extract_
_May 31, '82._--"From to-day I enter upon my 64th year. The paralysis
that first affected me nearly ten years ago, has since remain'd, with
varying course--seems to have settled quietly down, and will probably
continue. I easily tire, am very clumsy, cannot walk far; but my spirits
are first-rate. I go around in public almost every day--now and then
take long trips, by railroad or boat, hundreds of miles--live largely
in the open air--am sunburnt and stout, (weigh 190)--keep up my activity
and interest in life, people, progress, and the questions of the day.
About two-thirds of the time I am quite comfortable. What mentality
I ever had remains entirely unaffected; though physically I am a
half-paralytic, and likely to be so, long as I live. But the principal
object of my life seems to have been accomplish'd--I have the most
devoted and ardent of friends, and affectionate relatives--and of
enemies I really make no account."