242 SIR WILLIAM FLOWER chap. 



the picturesque white hair contrasting with the fine 

 dark blue-grey eyes, and such a benevolent and 

 peaceful expression. Periods of unconsciousness 

 supervened, and the doctors warned the anxious 

 watchers that he might thus pass away ; but on the 

 29th of June, after eleven hours of complete un- 

 consciousness, the spirit seemed to return to give 

 consolation to those left behind, for suddenly his 

 eyes opened, and in a perfectly clear and distinct 

 voice he spoke to his wife with wonderful words of 

 loving farewell, and then added, " Wish our dear 

 children good-bye for me ; give my love to them 

 all," and he repeated their names, remembering 

 exactly who were away in their married homes 

 and who were in the house, and then emphatically 

 concluded with, '* Remember, the same God, the 

 same Saviour, the same heaven in which to meet 

 again." 



Almost the last words he heard on earth were 

 those of the 23rd Psalm ; and when his wife came 

 to *' Though I walk through the valley of the 

 shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for Thou art 

 with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me," she 

 was almost startled by the vehemence with which 

 he exclaimed, " It is so, it is so," and he spoke of 

 the "support of the everlasting arms." 



On Saturday, the ist of July, the doctors announced 

 that the precious patient was sinking ; but it was all 

 as he had often expressed the wish that it should 

 be, his wife beside him, also his son Victor and his 



