DEATH OF ROBERT BOYLE. 63 



before the Government. It was received with approbation. 

 He was requested to make improvements with a view to its 

 perfection, and when all had been done he received the 

 stereotyped form that it " was not suitable." The vexation 

 and disappointment at so much anxious labour lost, and the 

 preying sense of a great injustice, shattered his constitution 

 and hastened his death. He was engaged in introducing an 

 excellent invention to prevent explosions in mines, which 

 alone would have entitled him to a high position as a 

 benefactor to his species, when he was struck by paralysis, 

 and died on the 2nd of September, 1878. His last words 

 whilst he still retained the faculty of speech were, " I 

 will think no more." 



He had been an exceptionally active member of society 

 through a period which must occupy a most important 

 chapter of the world's history; the quarter of a century 

 which saw him in the full vigour of manhood was fraught 

 with great events. Mighty changes had taken place since 

 he struggled to arouse public interest in his museum at 

 Glasgow, and when his career came to a close he had the 

 satisfaction of knowing that many reforms which he urged 

 in his younger days were accomplished, and many great 

 things for the intellectual elevation of the masses for which 

 he had yearned were realized. 



Almost the only recreation he permitted himself was the 



