[Page 501] August 16. Friday.--Eight weeks ago today the fatal stroke came to Lucy. Maggie Cook Gilmore sends me a number of let- ters of Lucy. She tells this story:--"I think always she made the impression upon children as upon my little nephew some years ago, who stopped crying over a mashed finger and forgot the pain, spellbound by her eyes and tones and soothing words. The next day he would let no one touch the finger because 'Mama Hayes had kissed it.' 'Mama Hayes' was improvised, he not having been taught what to call her. It was the Madonna love in her beautiful eyes that went to the child's heart." [She sends also] the following favorite songs she [Lucy] sang often:--"The Land of the Leal," "Old Armchair," "Life on the Ocean Wave," "Mrs. Lofty," "Hold the Fort." Lucy sang beautifully. I never heard a voice superior to hers. With great compass, power, and penetration, it was sweet and full of feeling. Like her eyes, it was soulful and full of heart. It stirred one at times like the sound of a trumpet. Aunty Davis says among her favorite songs were "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonny Doon"; "Highland Mary." With her brother Joe, "Here's a Health to thee, Tom Moore," "Rock of Ages," and "Jesus, Saviour of my Soul." She wanted the bands to play [the] "Star-spangled Banner," and she was fond of singing it. Mrs. Major Malcom McDowell, of Evanston (Miss Jennie Gordon that was), sends the following. They sang duets together at old Wesleyan Female College in 1847-50:--"When Night Comes o'er the Plain," "What are the Wild Waves Saying," "Pilgrim Fathers," "Blue Juniata," "Ingle- side," "Annie Laurie." Mrs. McDowell thinks "The Mountain Maid's Invitation" may be the one I call the "Bird Song."