356 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON, CHAP. XI. 



(we have taken to square caps), and when the students saw 

 that, they handed me through the shouting crowd, who were 

 waiting to hear how the vote had gone, and seemed on both 

 sides coming to Neaves ! l 



" All this is terribly egotistical. ... I hope to add a P.S. 

 to-morrow. Ever lovingly yours, GEORGE." 



The severe cold under which he had laboured all that 

 week did not cause special anxiety. Frequently in the 

 years gone by had work been carried on with similar symp- 

 toms, and with eager anticipations of the rest attainable on 

 the Saturday and Sunday; for one of the most touching 

 features of his case was the good resulting from even a little 

 ease. During this month of November his friends had been 

 watching him with evident solicitude, kindly suggesting 

 caution and care, then unattainable. It amused him much 

 when Dr. John Brown proposed, as the best plan, " to put 

 him under trustees," who should look after his health. 



On the week in which the letter we have given was 

 written, the days were counted off with longing for the 

 Saturday, with its opportunities for care and nursing. It 

 was with distress, therefore, that his sister learned his inten- 

 tion, in such a state of health, of giving his students a 

 second lecture on the Friday. Seeing her about to remon- 

 strate, he with naive simplicity gave as a reason, the force of 

 which must be evident to any sensible person, " They are 

 not up in the Atomic theory." 



The breakfast table was usually loaded with books of 

 reference for the subject of the day's lecture, and notes in 

 pencil were then written for it, in addition to those in use 

 from year to year. So it was this Friday morning; and 

 after breakfast he went into town with his wonted cheerful- 



1 The choice was between the Right Honourable W. E. Gladstone, 

 M.P., and Lord Neaves. 



