Anecdotes of public men; by John W. Forney.

88 ANECDOTES OF PUBLIC MEN.
making his acquaintance," a luxury, by the way, which General
Cameron stepped in and reserved for himself.
I am reminded of this interesting character by a letter which
I received a few days ago from my old friend, Dr. Jonas R.
McClintock, of Pittsburgh, who attended the venerable statesman during his last illness, and who is devoting himself to the
praiseworthy task of reviving the past history of Pittsburgh and
Western Pennsylvania. His materials will run back a hundred
years, and will, when embodied in book form, constitute not
only a valuable depository of facts, but, if written, as they will
be, in the Doctor's pleasant style, one of the most fascinating
memoirs of the times. If men like Dr. McClintock would occupy a little of their leisure in the accomplishment of the same
purpose, in their respective localities, they would honor themselves and enrich the literature of their country. As a specimen of the work now in course of preparation by Dr. McClintock, he inclosed to me the following striking incident of the
last hours of his venerable friend, Judge Wilkins, now for the
first time published:
"Judge Wilkins gloried in the unimpeachable integrity that
marked the'bench,' and jealously guarded his own status in
the profession by well and carefully determined opinions. It
was a treat to listen to his criticisms on the public acts of the
various departments of the Government as they transpired during the recent rebellion. It was a current on which he delighted to glide, affording invigorating exercise and securing an
intellectual clearness that accompanied him through life.
"On the occasion of a several days' anticipated visit, during
the last few weeks of life, from his nearest neighbor, a medical
friend, who was prevented making his customary unprofessional
call, the Judge was found in a half-reclining position on his
couch, in pleasant conversation with members of his family
seated around, while the music of the little birds that had become wedded to the broad eastern portico by his punctual supplies,.broke upon his ear their joyous song of thanks.