456 DEATH OF LORD GEORGE BENTINCK. 



received by him " consisted of seven sheets of 

 note-paper, full of interesting details of men and 

 things, and written not only in a cheerful, but 

 even in a merry mood." When these letters were 

 concluded and sealed, it is morally certain that 

 not a thought of the impending calamity had 

 entered their writer's mind. He had so much to 

 think of, so much to do, that no time remained 

 for him to consider his health, or to take heed of 

 the many warnings which others under similar 

 circumstances could not have failed to recognise. 

 " He that saveth his life shall lose it," was often 

 on his Lordship's lips, when any one in his employ 

 seemed over -anxious about his own health, and 

 disposed to shirk work. One member of the family 

 who sat down to breakfast that memorable morn- 

 ing at Welbeck told a friend of mine subsequently 

 that he noticed the unusual pallor of Lord George's 

 countenance when he entered the breakfast-room. 

 There can be no doubt, however, as I have already 

 said, that his Lordship's spirits were more than or- 

 dinarily bright and gay. I come now to details 

 which, even after a long lapse of years, are too sad 

 for me to attempt to clothe in language. The 

 best and simplest account is that given in the 

 ' Annual Register,' from which I quote the follow- 

 ing words : 



" The announcement of the sudden death of 

 Lord George Bentinck on September 21, under 



