rmed, from his length of service, "the father of the
Senate," long its presiding officer, of purest morals, incorruptible
integrity, and faithful industry, he died universally lamented on the
28th of March, 1866. Mr. Foot's death created a profound impression,
since it exhibited, in a most remarkable manner, the effect of
Christianity in affording its possessor a happy close of life.

The death of another Senator stands forth in striking contrast with
that of Mr. Foot. On the first of July, 1866, Senator James H. Lane
shot himself at Leavenworth, Kansas. While on his way home from
Washington, when at St. Louis, he had intimated a determination to
commit suicide. His friends watched him closely, and obtained
possession of his pocket-knife lest he might use it for the fatal
purpose. Mr. Lane having reached Leavenworth, two of his friends
invited him to ride with them on Sabbath afternoon. After getting into
the carriage, he expressed a desire to return to his room for his
cane, refusing to allow any one to go for him. Mr. Lane having
returned with his cane, they drove to the heights overlooking the
city. He entered cheerfully into the conversation, remarking upon the
beauty of the city and landscape. On returning, they had to pass
through a gate that separated two fields. One of the gentlemen
alighted to open the gate. At the same time Mr. Lane stepped down from
the carriage, and, passing around behind it, said, "Good-by,
gentlemen," and instantly discharged a pistol with its muzzle in his
mouth. The ball passed out at the top of his head, near the center of
the skull, producing a fatal wound. The unhappy man lingered for a few
days in a state of unconsciousness and died. Thus ended the stirring,
troubled life of one who as a politician had occupied no
inconsiderable space in the public eye.

A number of seats in the House of Representatives were vacated by
death. James Humphrey, an able and honored member from New York, died
in Brooklyn on the 16th of June, 1866. During the second session of
the Thirty-ninth Congress, two members of the House of Representatives
were removed by death--Philip Johnson, of Pennsylvania, in his third
term of Congressional service, and Henry Grider, of Kentucky, a
veteran member, who, having served in Congress from 1843 to 1847, was
more recently a member of the Thirty-seventh, Thirty-eighth, and
Thirty-ninth Congresses.

Congress was called upon to pay funeral honors to others than its
me