XVIII 



HIS ILLNESS 231 



never dwelt on his sufferings and privations, but 

 often spoke with gratitude of the ** mercies and 

 blessings which had made his life so happy," and of 

 having '' been spared the pang of ever losing a child 

 or grandchild," to the unspeakable comfort of his 

 otherwise broken-hearted companion. 



Preparations for the meeting of the Trustees 

 became now trying work, yet he was always relieved 

 afterwards, finding such appreciation of all the good 

 work done in the Museum ; and the King, then 

 Prince of Wales (the Queen's Trustee), would often 

 stay on afterwards alone with Sir William Flower 

 to see more of the Museum, showing his personal 

 interest in its welfare. On March 31 he attended 

 the levee for the first time since his illness, and 

 he was touched by the kindly welcome he received ; 

 indeed he laughingly remarked afterwards that the 

 ** Royal touch " that used to have such healing 

 virtue was still efficacious, as he was none the 

 worse for the fatigue, and at work again in the 

 Museum next day. On the 31st of May he re- 

 ceived through the German Embassy, from the 

 Emperor of Germany, the distinguished order 

 " Pour le Merite," founded by Frederick the Great, 

 which explains its French title. This honour was 

 all the more welcome as the only other Englishmen 

 then having it were his friends Lord Kelvin, Lord 

 Lister, and Sir John Murray for science, and Bishop 

 Stubbs of Oxford for history. A letter from Lord 

 Salisbury soon followed conveying the Queen's 



