Elias Nason, The Life and Times of Charles Sumner: His Boyhood, Education and Public Career.

[336] his friend J. B. Smith); a portrait by Sir Peter Lely; and pictures of the Giotto of Florence, the grand staircase of Versailles, and the facade of the Louvre. “These last three things,” said Mr. Sumner to a friend, “are perfect. When I come home from the senate tired and cross, I like to look at them: it comforts me to think there is something perfect and above criticism.” Of his rarest literary treasures was an illuminated prayer-book of Margaret of Anjou, which cost three hundred dollars. The desk in which he was struck in the Senate was not the least interesting of his curiosities.

On Tuesday, the 10th of March, Mr. Sumner in his seat in the Senate complained to Mr. Ferry of painful shocks in his left side: they soon subsided; and in the evening he had as guests at his table two of his intimate friends,--Henry L. Pierce and B. Perley Poore. After the retirement of these gentlemen, he was again attacked with terrible pains in the heart. He was soon, however, somewhat relieved by his physician, Dr. J. T. Johnson, and passed a comparatively comfortable night; but in the morning he was cold and almost insensible. At ten o'clock he recognized Judge Hoar, and said, “Don't forget my Civil-rights Bill.” Observing Mr. Hooper near him, he exclaimed, “My book! My book is not finished.” Later in the day he moaned, “I am so tired! ”