CHAPTEE XL 



Last Illness — Hopes of the Future — Death — Opinions of the Press 

 regarding Goodsir — Resume of his Character. 



Each year after 1863 saw the professor feebler in the 

 use of his limbs, and less able to cope with the higher 

 studies of his science. His irritability of feeling 

 increased with his bodily suffering, and he seemed 

 best when left alone in the museum. No one, either 

 at home or abroad, threw much light upon his patho- 

 logical condition ; nor does he appear to have tried 

 any remedial measures of moment after his return 

 from Germany. He eschewed society, and became more 

 and more of a hermit at Wardie. At home he was 

 constantly reading, or being read to by his sister, 

 who also lightened some of his evenings by playing 

 on the organ or piano. Though disabled so much in 

 body and shattered in nerves, he did not cease to 

 labour. Work was before him, and this filled his 

 mind with hopes of life and the further enjoyment of 

 his intellect. He fought against disease as few men 

 have fought, and seemed to live, as if by the sheer 

 force of his own will he could contend against the 

 enervating and devitalising influences sapping his 

 frame from day to day and year to year. As he grew 



