Memoir of the Rev. John Frederic Bif/ge. 215 



somewhat depressed him for a time ; but this had gradually passed 

 away; and when I left him on the Thursday before his seizure, after 

 a visit of three days to meet his eldest son Edward, then at home 

 from India, his farewell was as cheery, and his shake of the hand 

 as genial as ever before. The last time, alas ! that I was to hear 

 that kindly voice, or feel the pressure of that friendly hand : when 

 I next saw him, he was lying unconscious, his senses bound in 

 the iron grip of paralysis, "fading away." On Saturday, Feb. 

 21st, 1885, a day of most intense severity of cold, he went into 

 Newcastle ; and had not been long there when he complained to 

 a friend, who casually met him in the street, that he was very 

 ill, and would be glad to get home again as soon as possible. 

 Having gone only a few steps further, and whilst in a hair- 

 dresser's shop, he was seized with paralysis, from which, how- 

 ever, in a few minutes he partially recovered. His friend Mr 

 Page, the surgeon, who lived close by, on being sent for, recog- 

 nised his condition as most serious ; and with rare consideration 

 had him immediately removed to his own house in Saville Place, 

 where, notwithstanding the most careful attention, and with only 

 faint and transient gleams of consciousness, he died on the 

 SatiuxUvv following, February the 28th, a week after his seizure. 

 His body was removed to Stamfordham, where his burial took 

 place on Thursday March 5th, all his family, except one son 

 William, in India, being present ; as well as three of his 

 brothers, and a large concourse of sorrowing parishioners and 

 other friends. I left the grave murmuring to myself the Free- 

 masons' greeting, which we had often exchanged, "Happy to 

 meet! Sorry to part ! Happy to meet again! " We shall meet again, 

 in happiness, I trust ! 



He died universally lamented : for in him his wife and children 

 lost a most kind and indulgent husband and father ; his parish- 

 ioners a diligent and sympathizing pastor; his acquaintances a 

 most genial companion and friend ; and the district at large a 

 useful and accomplished country gentleman. 



Yale ! Yale ! 



Frater earissime atque amantissime ! 



In pace requiescas 



