CHAP. xxm. SYMPATHY FOR DICK. 411 



peacefully. He was left in the hands of the Wise and 

 Loving. 



Towards the end of his life, much sympathy was 

 expressed for Dick and his condition. The few people 

 who continued to deal with him, had long known of his 

 illness. Four months elapsed between the time when he 

 was struck by death in the quarry, and the day of his 

 death. His customers saw him growing feebler and 

 feebler, panting for breath, and yet continuing at his 

 daily work. It was only during the last fortnight of his 

 life, that he finally dropped from their sight. Then they 

 heard of his intense sufferings, and of the unwearied 

 resignation and indomitable fortitude with which he 

 bore them. The sympathy which his illness excited was 

 almost intense. The Thurso people felt that a great 

 though comparatively unknown man was about to pass 

 away. At his death there was an almost universal sob 

 throughout the town. 



He was also mourned by others who had known him 

 intimately, and valued him for his kindliness, his noble- 

 ness, and his love of science. Amongst these was 

 Charles Peach, of Edinburgh. "After many years of 

 close friendship for him," he said to Sir Roderick 

 Marchison, " I had come to love him. He was such 

 a cheerful and intelligent companion. At the same 

 time, he was as fond of my pursuits as I was myself; 

 and thus a bond of brotherhood existed between us." 



Sir Roderick was then issuing the fourth edition of 

 his Siluria to the public. He there says "Alas! whilst 



