1859. UTTEK PROSTRATION. 485 



shall pain be but like other bitter medicines, the preparative 

 for the unbroken health of an endless life?" And in 1857 he 

 says : " Often and often, as I have asked myself of what 

 should I die, I have felt that, had I the choice offered me among 

 physical deaths, I should not know how to choose, and would 

 leave to God the appointment of the mode of dying, beseeching 

 only to be spared maddening agony, and to be kept, above all, 

 from losing faith in the blessed Saviour." 



Those expressions of trust and hope are almost the only clue 

 we have to his feelings during the few days of his illness, but 

 they are sufficient. It had ever been his custom, in previous 

 attacks, to carry on his daily work in bed as much as possible 

 in the same way as usual. Books and writing materials sur- 

 rounded him, and the day was divided into portions : so many 

 hours for writing and study, so many for lighter reading, and 

 so many for rest. Lively talk and fun made his sick-room a 

 place of real enjoyment at most times, his ailments often being 

 the subject of the jests. He disliked having any one to read to 

 him, saying it set him to sleep. 



Now all was different. Scarcely a word w r as uttered, and his 

 weary look of utter prostration, being interpreted as a meek 

 supplication not to be disturbed, as few were addressed to him. 

 There seemed to be little pain, but no inquiry was made as to 

 this. A distressing restlessness, and difficulty in coughing, were 

 the most marked symptoms. It was touching to see the attempts 

 to read to himself as formerly. A light newspaper was taken 

 up at intervals throughout the first day of confinement to bed, 

 but as often wearily laid down, with apparently no knowledge 

 of its contents. 



The only earthly care that appeared to disturb him was his 

 class ; and early on Monday morning the following note was 

 written at his request to Professor Balfour, his sister kneeling 

 with the paper on the bed, while with effort he slowly dic- 

 tated : 



"MY DEAR BALFOUR, A sudden and unexpected attack of 

 pleurisy, with accompanying inflammation of part of the lung, 

 came on on Friday ; and, as you may suppose, lays me aside 



