She was a most agreeable companion, with all her kindness she had a keen gift of criticism, and a charming originality and force of expression, which showed especially in her letters, with their comments on the times, domestic and public, her descriptions of events and scenery; and which she preserved to the end of her life. She never grew _old_ as we generally mean old, but kept also her bodily activity and energy— She was most essentially practical, active and energetic in all the duties of daily life,—never were cake and jelly that quite equalled hers, nobody could arrange the white dimity draperies as she could, and the house was always a dainty picture of comfort and elegance— She was always called upon in sickness and trouble, nurse, friend, comforter, and her influence upon the young men in the Law School, was as great as upon the girls who came under her care. She had dark eyes and hair, and was said to have been a very handsome young woman. Her face as the years lengthened, was very sober in repose, but lighted as she spoke, with animation and interest, so that no daguerrotype gives any idea of her. FROM MRS. GRAY’S DIARY. April 28, 1859. Aunt Croswell,[87] came to dine, 94 on Feb. 22, 1859. Walked over and back alone. Told how when in New York she heard Washington take the oath as President. Took tea with Mrs. Washington, the President sick so did not see him. Dr. Bard with whom she was staying his Physician. Mrs. Washington, short and stout. One of your real old fashioned women, who always carried her knitting wherever she went, to the offense of some. And nobody ever staid in her house after nine o’clock, all visitors must go home. Dr. Bard prescribed powders, and put them up in little papers. When they were finished he was going to prepare more and took some paper to tear, when Mrs. W. said, “oh, here are the other papers saved,” producing them. Very characteristic, Aunt said of the woman. EXERCISES IN CHRIST’S CHURCH, CATSKILL, N. Y., JULY 18, 1875. Extracts from a biographical notice of Mrs. Ruth Croswell an esteemed and prominent member of Christ’s Church ... Catskill, N. Y. [Illustration: PL. LXIV.—RUTH PIERCE (MRS. CROSWELL) ] DIED—In Catskill, on the 7th inst, 1861 at the residence of Mrs. Caroline Wey, Mrs. Ruth Croswell, widow of the late Dr. Thomas O’H. Croswell, aged 96 years, 10 months, and 15 days.