66 LIFE OF 



severe attack of this kind in April, but as he was anxious to 

 have the advice of Dr. Wilson Philip, he proceeded to London 

 at the usual time. 



He spent a day with his friend Mr. Williams on the road, and 

 though much enfeebled by his illness, he bore the journey with- 

 out apparent fatigue, and expressed his hopes that he should 

 soon be restored to his usual state of health. On the 1st of 

 May, he did not feel equal to taking the chair at the anniver- 

 sary meeting of the Horticultural Society, nor did he ever leave 

 the house after his arrival in London ; but he saw several of 

 his friends, conversed cheerfully, and seemed to enjoy their 

 society. 



The medicines prescribed by Dr. Philip had relieved several 

 of the most unfavourable symptoms ; and the state of his pulse, 

 which was as regular as that of a person in perfect health, for 

 some time led his family to hope that he was going on well, 

 notwithstanding that his amendment was less decided than 

 they wished ; and even when some degree of anxiety had begun 

 to be felt as to the final issue of his illness, no symptom indi- 

 cated immediate danger ; though it was apparent, from the 

 subjects on which he conversed, that he thought it probable he 

 should not recover, and that tenderness for the feelings of 

 Mrs. Knight and his eldest daughter, who were with him, alone 

 prevented his declaring this opinion in more direct terms. 



He spoke with affection of the absent members * of his 

 family, and of the arrangement he had made of his affairs ; 

 while, to those who had the happiness of being present, he 

 expressed in most affecting terms all that was most grateful and 

 consoling to them to dwell upon, of his feelings to them, and 

 of his deep thankfulness for the many blessings he had en- 

 joyed in the course of his long life, and of his readiness to 

 leave the world whenever he was summoned to do so. 



* Sir William and Lady Rouse Bougliton were detained in the country by 

 the serious illness of the former, and Mr. and Mrs. Francis Walpole were 

 abroad. 



