1859. LAST LECTURES. 483 



had work been carried on with similar symptoms, and with 

 eager anticipations of the rest attainable on the Saturday and 

 Sunday ; for one of the most touching features of his case was 

 the good resulting from even a little ease. During this month 

 of November his friends had been watching him with evident 

 solicitude, kindly suggesting caution and care, then unattainable. 

 It amused him much when Dr. John Brown proposed, as the 

 best plan, " to put him under trustees," who should look after 

 his health. 



On the week in which the letter we have given was written, 

 the days were counted off with longing for the Saturday, with 

 its opportunities for care and nursing. It was with distress, 

 therefore, that his sister learned his intention, in such a state of 

 health, of giving his students a second lecture on the Friday. 

 Seeing her about to remonstrate, he with naive simplicity gave 

 as a reason, the force of which must be evident to any sensible 

 person, " They are not up in the Atomic theory." 



The breakfast table was usually loaded with books of reference 

 for the subject of the day's lecture, and notes in pencil were then 

 written for it, in addition to those in use from year to year. So 

 it was this Friday morning ; and after breakfast he went into 

 town with his wonted cheerfulness, desirous of obtaining infor- 

 mation to go by that day's post to his brother in Canada, in the 

 postscript to his letter. Afterwards it transpired that he had 

 felt a stitch in his side that morning. It was a busy day in 

 town. After the first lecture to his class, new pupils came to be 

 enrolled, many visitors called, and he was compelled to converse 

 much. Closing his Canadian letter, he says, " I have been at 

 work all day." Not having ascertained all that was desirable, 

 he promises to give the result of further inquiry by next post. 



The second lecture was delivered with great difficulty, and 

 with an apology to his students for sitting while addressing 

 them. 



On his return home, between four and five o'clock, his sister 

 was startled by his appearance, why she could scarcely tell, but 

 a nameless dread of impending danger fell heavily on her heart. 

 This was not diminished by his saying, in a low and constrained 

 voice, " I'll just creep up stairs." After sitting for half-an-hour 



