prime. His early death, however, was not expected by the Bar. A short
time before his last sickness he appeared as a witness in a certain case
in Suffolk County, and at the conclusion of a long cross-examination at
the hands of Henry W. Paine, Mr. Fiske inquired if Mr. Paine had any
further questions to ask. "No, Brother Fiske," said Mr. Paine, "I think
not,--but stay; you have just told us when you began practice; now, what
your brethren of the Bar are more concerned in, is, when are you going
to leave off?"--"Not till the last nail is driven in my coffin," was the
answer. Soon after this Mr. Fiske fell sick, and Mr. Paine called on him
at his house. Mr. Fiske was sitting up in bed taking a deposition in his
night-gown, with the parties gathered about him. The next day he died.

The alterations at No. 10 Ashburton place were made under the
supervision of Mr. William G. Preston, the architect. The front of the
basement, about twenty feet square, is a pleasant room, well lighted,
and is used by the students, for study, conversation, and general
social purposes. Directly back of this is a dressing-room, 25 x 19,
containing about one hundred lockers, for the use of the students.
Ascending to the first floor, one is struck with the spaciousness of the
hall-way, which extends from the entrance to the door of the
lecture-hall. It is finished in light wood, and the design of the
staircase is particularly tasteful, while the stairs themselves are very
easy of ascent. To the left of the entrance is the Dean's room, 19 x 19,
finished in cherry; and next on the left is a part of the library, which
is finished in white-wood. In the rear is the lecture-hall, where
everything has been done to combine light and air with comfort. The hall
is something over fifty-two feet long, twenty-six feet wide, and
seventeen feet in height. Almost the entire roof, which is in the shape
of an immense skylight, is made of glass. The walls are light in color,
while the general effect is one of light and airiness. In the
lecture-hall, as elsewhere, special regard has been paid to the
ventilation. The atmosphere is changed continually, without any
perceptible draughts. The seating capacity of the lecture-hall is about
two hundred. The second story is devoted wholly to the library, which,
with the room on the first floor, affords space for the University's
valuable collection of books. Leading from one of the large rooms on
this floor is a small one for t