when he overlooked the many worthy and accomplished women among them.  But Douglass, to the extent that he noticed these strictures at all, declared that he had devoted his life to breaking down the color line, and that he did not know any more effectual way to accomplish it; that he was white by half his blood, and, as he had given most of his life to his mothers race, he claimed the right to dispose of the remnant as he saw fit.

The latter years of his life were spent at his beautiful home known as Cedar Hill, on Anacostia Heights, near Washington, amid all

  “that which should accompany old age,
  As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends.”

He possessed strong and attractive social qualities, and his home formed a Mecca for the advanced and aspiring of his race.  He was a skilful violinist, and derived great pleasure from the valuable instrument he possessed.  A wholesome atmosphere always surrounded him.  He had never used tobacco or strong liquors, and was clean of speech and pure in life.

He died at his home in Washington, February 20, 1895.  He had been perfectly well during the day, and was supposed to be in excellent health.  He had attended both the forenoon and afternoon sessions of the Women’s National Council, then in session at Washington, and had been a conspicuous figure in the audience.  On his return home, while speaking to his wife in the hallway of his house, he suddenly fell, and before assistance could be given he had passed away.

His death brought forth many expressions from the press of the land, reflecting the high esteem in which he had been held by the public for a generation.  In various cities meetings were held, at which resolutions of sorrow and appreciation were passed, and delegations appointed to attend his funeral.  In the United States Senate a resolution was offered reciting that in the person of the late Frederick Douglass death had borne away a most illustrious citizen, and permitting the body to lie in state in the rotunda of the Capitol on Sunday.  The immediate consideration of the resolution was asked for.  Mr. Gorman, of Maryland, the State which Douglass honored by his birth, objected; and the resolution went over.

Douglass’s funeral took place on February 25, 1895, at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, and was the occasion of a greater outpouring of colored people than had taken place in Washington since the unveiling of the Lincoln emancipation statue in 1878.  The body was taken from Cedar Hill to the church at half-past nine in the morning; and from that hour until noon thousands of persons, including many white people, passed in double file through the building and viewed the body, which was in charge of a guard of honor composed of members of a colored camp of the Sons of Veterans.  The church was crowded when the services began, and several thousands could not obtain admittance.  Delegations,