, the gift of Columbus Delano, and Hubbard Hall were
dedicated with appropriate services, conducted by Bishop Bedell
and President Bodine. On this occasion the degree of Doctor of
Laws was conferred upon me, and I told the faculty how earnestly
I had wished to graduate in their college, and why I could not do
so. Frank Hurd and Mr. Hayes, both graduates, made interesting
addresses. This college was founded mainly upon liberal contributions
to Bishop Chase, by Lord Kenyon and other Englishmen. Its governing
power was the Episcopal church. It has had many vicissitudes of
prosperity and depression, but has never realized the hopes of its
founders. It is one of the colleges of Ohio, excellent in their
way, but if their limited resources had been combined in one great
university, free from sectarian influence, the result would, in my
opinion, have been much better for the youth of Ohio.

During this period I was busy putting my country house in order.
I was literally "repairing the fences." The absence, during four
years, of Mrs. Sherman and myself made a great change in the
condition of my house, grounds and farm. The work of restoration
was a pleasant one, and I was relieved from appeals for appointments,
from the infinite details of an exacting office, and still more
from the grave responsibility of dealing with vast sums, in which,
however careful I might be, and free from fault, I was subject to
imputations and innuendoes by every writer who disapproved of my
policy.

I was arranging for a trip to Yellowstone Park, was receiving
visitors from abroad daily, and mixing with my neighbors and fellow-
townsmen, congratulating myself upon a period of rest and recreation,
when, on the 2nd of July, I received from General Sherman the
announcement, by telegram, that Garfield had been shot by Guiteau,
and that the wound was dangerous, and perhaps fatal. The full
details of this crime were soon given. I started to go to Washington,
but returned when advised that I could be of no service, but
continued to receive from General Sherman frequent bulletins. The
position of the fatal bullet could not be ascertained, and Garfield
lingered in suffering until the 19th of September, when he died.

The death of Garfield, by the hand of a half crazy crank, created
a profound impression throughout the civilized world. To rise to
such a height as he had attained, and then to become the victim of
such a wretch, was a calamity tha