1859- CLOSING HOURS. 361 



with readiness. The night passed peacefully, and at its 

 close he said, with a gleam of his old cheerfulness, " I think 

 I have turned over a new leaf." Hope once more animated 

 his nurse's heart : she had seen him as ill before, and yet 

 recover. The doctors confirmed this hope, saying, that if a 

 few days were got over, all might be well. So sanguine 

 notes were addressed to several friends, Dr. Cairns amongst 

 the number. But at mid-day the peculiar and distressing 

 restlessness returned. The senses were preternaturally acute, 

 that especially of smelling, perfumes of any kind being un- 

 bearable. The only soothing offices were a continual change 

 in the position of the pillows, and bathing face and hands 

 with vinegar. His hands had been remarkable for a rare 

 beauty in the rich carmine tinting the palms, and contrasting 

 with the pure white skin. " Your hands seem on fire," had 

 been said to him once ; and much admiration had they 

 elicited. Now it was observed while bathing them that the 

 delicate palms and nails were black. To one so conversant 

 as he with such symptoms, this was an unmistakable token, 

 had there been any doubt before, that the pitcher was broken 

 at the fountain, and the spirit summoned to return to Him 

 who gave it. Still not till the second medical visit in the 

 afternoon was hope quenched in others, when a telegraphic 

 message was sent to Dr. Cairns. George expressed desire 

 to converse with Dr. Duncan, but he was unable to do so 

 from the difficulty in breathing. 



In the afternoon he asked his sister to read the " Athen- 

 aeum" to him, saying, " You know I always read it from 

 beginning to end :" while listening, occasional remarks 

 showed that he clearly understood what he heard. He 

 surprised her by saying abruptly, " The room will be dark- 

 ened at nine ; I wish to get to rest." She believed this 

 implied being quiet for the night, and replied, with many 

 wondering thoughts, " Very well." 



