DECLINE OF THE SYSTEM. 559 



movements of the chest, creates to respiration. The 

 heart, whose pulsations gave the first indications of 

 life in the embryo, generally retains its vitality 

 longer than any other organ ; but its powers being 

 dependent on the constant oxidation of the blood 

 in the lungs, cannot survive the interruption of this 

 function ; and on the heart ceasing to throb, death 

 may then be considered as complete in every part 

 of the system. 



It is an important consideration, with reference 

 to final causes, that generally long before the com- 

 mencement of this 



" Last scene of all, 

 That ends this strange eventful history," 



the power of feeling has wholly ceased, and the 

 physical struggle is carried on by the vital powers 

 alone, in the absence of all consciousness of the 

 sentient being, whose death may be said to pre- 

 cede, for some time, that of the body. In this, as 

 well as in the gradual decline of the sensorial 

 faculties, and the consequent diminution both of 

 mental and of physical sensibility in advanced 

 age, we cannot fail to recognise the wise ordinances 

 of a superintending and beneficent providence, 

 kindly smoothing the path along which we descend 

 the vale of life, spreading a narcotic mantle over 

 the bed of death, and giving to the last moments of 

 departing sensation the tranquillity of approaching 

 sleep. 



