[10] they had occurred in the pulpit, but never so seriously as to disturb the service or the congregation. In the afternoon service of this last Sunday he stopped in the midst of his discourse, rolled up his sermon, and stepped down; then instantly came to the desk again, opened his papers, and went on as if nothing had disturbed him No one moved. I sat with Dr. John C. Warren, Senior, and he whispered to me, ‘I don't know but I had better go to him: it has never been so bad before in the pulpit’ But it was not necessary. I did not go to his house that evening. The next day, or the next but one, he was prostrated by a violent attack of epilepsy. Some one—I forget who—came to tell me of it, and I went immediately to his home. Dr. Oliver Keating, a connection of the family, was there, and Dr. John Warren. Dr. Keating, after consulting with Miss Lucy Buckminster, asked me if I could stay there, adding that he should be in the house as much as he could. Though formerly a physician, he was then an active merchant. I was much gratified at being asked, and gladly consented. I left the house very little while he lived, attending to whatever I could do, and occasionally going to the room where lay my unconscious friend. Mrs. Theodore Lyman, also a connection, was much in the house, supporting the sorrowing sisters; and, with energy and good judgment, moved about like a presiding spirit, with a perfectly sustained and quiet manner. At the time of his death no one was present but the two Dr. Warrens—father and son—and myself. I had my arm under his head when he passed away, without suffering.1 It was 1813 when I was admitted to the bar, and I immediately
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1 This was in June, 1812, when Mr. Ticknor was just twenty-one years old. He had the care of Mr. Buckminster's papers, after his death. Mr. Samuel Dexter, the distinguished lawyer, Judge Parker, of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts,—members of Mr. Buckminster's congregation,—and Mr. Ticknor, met early every morning, at Mr. Buckminster's house, and read together, for an hour or more, the sermons, to make a selection for publication. When they left the house, it became their habit, in fine weather, to walk together in the Tremont-Street Mall (the only one at that time), when the talk was animated and interesting. This was a period of excitement about the war with England; town meetings were frequent, and feeling ran high. At one of these meetings Mr. Dexter made a speech of a very different character from his usual tone and from what was expected from him, and it created a great sensation. The following morning the gentlemen met as before; but the work was done more silently than usual, no allusion was made to public affairs, and, when they left the house, Mr. Dexter and Mr. Parker bowed, and turned in opposite directions. Mr. Ticknor locked the door,—and the pleasant walks were given up.
Boston, J. R. Osgood and company, 1876.
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