42 Lifeand Character of Nathaniel Bowditch. 
end, he manifested the same cheerfulness, nay pleasantry, which 
he had when in health, without, however, the least admixture of 
levity. In his great kindness, he exerted himself to see many 
friends, every one of whom, I believe, will bear testimony to his 
calm, serene state of mind. 'The words which he spoke in those 
precious interviews, they will gather up and treasure in their 
memory, <i will never forget them so long as they live. She 
will not, to whom, when on her taking leave of him 
~“ Good night,” he nepiied, “No, my dear, say not 
* Good night, ’ but ‘Good morning,’ for the next time we meet 
will be on the morning of the resurrection.” 
One day, toward the close of his lingering illness, after he had 
himself given up all hope of recovery, he asked one who stood by 
him, what were the two Greek words which signify ‘“ easy 
death.” The word not immediately suggesting itself to the per- 
son, and he having mentioned over several phrases and combina- 
tions of words, Dr. Bowditch said, ‘“ No, yow have not got the 
right word; but you will find it in Pose! s Correspondence.” 
The person Ton the letter, which was the last that Dr. Arbuth- 
not* wrote to his friend. The conclusion of it is as follows: 
“ A-recovery, in my case, and at my age, is impossible. The 
kindest wish of my friends is euthanasia.” On hearing this read, 
Dr. Bowditch said, ‘Yes, that is the word, euthanasia. That 
letter I read forty years ago, and I have not seen it since. It 
made an impression on my mind which is still fresh. It struck 
me, at the time I read it, that the good physician who wrote it 
would certainly have an easy death. It could not be otherwise. 
t be happy in their d YP; He 
afterwards frequently reeurred to this subject, and the day previ- 
ous to his departure, he said, “'This is, indeed, euthanasia.” — 
Through the whole of his illness he manifested the same happy ; 
and delightful frame of mind. His room did not appear like the 
chamber of sickness and dissolution, 'The light of his serene 
* Dr. Arbuthnot was an eminent physician and brilliant wit in the time of Queen 
Anne, the contemporary and friend of Swift and Pope. He. died in 1735. Dr 
Johnson; in his Life of Pope, says of him, “ Arbuthnot was a man of great com- 
preliension, skillful in his practice, versed in the sciences, acquainted with ancient 
literature, and able to animate his mass of knowledge by a bright and active ima- 
gination ; 32 scholar, with great brilliance of wit; 4 wit, who, in the crowd of life, 
ered a noble ardor of religious zeal; a man estimable for his 
a a piety.” 
