night breeze
in the tall trees sighed a requiem over the blighted hopes of New
York's eminent son."--H.B. Stanton, _Random Recollections_, pp.
215-16.]

[Footnote 553: F.W. Seward, _Life of W.H. Seward_, Vol. 2, p. 453.]

[Footnote 554: F.W. Seward, _Life of W.H. Seward_, Vol. 2, p. 453.]

But deep in his heart despondency reigned supreme. "The reappearance
at Washington in the character of a leader deposed by his own party,
in the hour of organisation for decisive battle, thank God is
past--and so the last of the humiliations has been endured," he wrote
his wife. "Preston King met me at the depot and conveyed me to my
home. It seemed sad and mournful. Dr. Nott's benevolent face, Lord
Napier's complacent one, Jefferson's benignant one, and Lady Napier's
loving one, seemed all like pictures of the dead. Even 'Napoleon at
Fontainebleau' seemed more frightfully desolate than ever. At the
Capitol the scene was entirely changed from my entrance into the
chamber last winter. Cameron greeted me kindly; Wilkinson of
Minnesota, and Sumner cordially and manfully. Other Republican
senators came to me, but in a manner that showed a consciousness of
embarrassment, which made the courtesy a conventional one; only Wilson
came half a dozen times, and sat down by me. Mason, Gwin, Davis, and
most of the Democrats, came to me with frank, open, sympathising
words, thus showing that their past prejudices had been buried in the
victory they had achieved over me. Good men came through the day to
see me, and also this morning. Their eyes fill with tears, and they
become speechless as they speak of what they call 'ingratitude.' They
console themselves with the vain hope of a day of 'vindication,' and
my letters all talk of the same thing. But they awaken no response in
my heart. I have not shrunk from any fiery trial prepared for me by
the enemies of my cause. But I shall not hold myself bound to try, a
second time, the magnanimity of its friends."[555] To Weed he wrote:
"Private life, as soon as I can reach it without grieving or
embarrassing my friends, will be welcome to me. It will come the 4th
of next March in my case, and I am not unprepared."[556]

[Footnote 555: _Ibid._, p. 454.]

[Footnote 556: Thurlow Weed Barnes, _Life of Thurlow Weed_, Vol. 2, p.
270.]

Defeat was a severe blow to Seward. For the moment he seemed well-nigh
friendless. The letter to his wife after he reached Washington was a
threnody. He was firmly convinced