252 Analysis of the Scales of the Fossil Gavial 



as the faith of man can be, we have the testimony of his intimate 

 friend and former colleague, the Vicar of Saint Bride''s, and the 

 internal evidence of his own deportment on his deathbed. That 

 deathbed was in many respects so solemn and instructive, as to 

 have been taken by his reverend friend for the subject of a most 

 eloquent and impressive funeral address to his congregation,*— 

 from which I need make no apology for borrowing the leading 

 particulars of his closing scene. 



During his final illness he had shewn throughout the utmost 

 resignation and cheerfulness. When at length told for the first 

 time of his danger, he desired to receive the sacrament with his 

 brother and sisters, in presence of the members of his household. 

 Having communicated, he called his brother to his bedside, and 

 bidding him feel his pulse, "Is it not," said he, " perfectly 

 calm .?" " It is," was'the reply. " Then what can make it so 

 at such an hour .^ What but the power of religion ? AVho but 

 the Spirit of God ?" 



After some time spent in occasional conversation of the same 

 purport, symptoms at last came on whose indications he knew 

 full well. Painfully struggling for utterance, he recovered his 

 speech for a little, and spoke kindly and cheerfully to his rela- 

 tives of his condition. " I could not have believed," he said, 

 " that I could be happy on my deathbed : I am content my 

 career should close." The last effort of reason was to answer 

 soon afterwards the question put by an anxious relative, — " Is 

 not Christ as good as his word T'' " Yes," he faltered, " Quite ;"" 

 and with these words he became insensible and soon expired. 



Analysis of the Scales of the Fossil Gavial of Caen in Nor- 

 mandy. By A. CoNKELL; Esq. F.R.S.E. &c. 



Having lately procured from Mr G. B. Sowerby of Lon- 

 don, a specimen of these scales, which are particularly described 

 by Cuvier in the Ossemens Fossiles, I submitted it to a chemi- 



* The Pbilosojjher, entering like a child, into the Kingdom of Heaven. A 

 Sermon, preached on the occasion of the death of Edward Turner, M.D., &c. 

 Ey the Rev. Thomas Dale, Yicar of St Bride's, London. Taylor and AVal- 

 ton. Ifi37. 



