284 GEOEGE JOHN EOMANES 1892 



be entertained of years of life, if only care were 

 taken about diet, and work, and thought. 



Now began the two years of quiet, steadfast, en- 

 durance ; no one could realise from his quiet manner 

 and cheerful talk how great was the inconvenience 

 caused by the afiection of his eyes, no one ever found 

 him anything but unselfish and gentle. The one 

 difficulty was to persuade him not to work, and this 

 was almost impossible. He was almost feverishly 

 anxious to finish his book, to work out experiments 

 he had been planning ; and as time went on, and he 

 thought and pondered as he had ever done on the 

 ultimate mysteries of life and being, other books 

 were planned, other courses of reading mapped out. 



Just then a letter came from Canon Scott- 

 Holland which much touched the recipient. 



Mr. Holland writes : 



' I hear sad news of you through Philip Waggett.^ 

 You have passed under the sorest trial perhaps that 

 could have been laid on your courage, your hopeful- 

 ness, your peace. 



I trust, indeed, that there is much to look for 

 yet of recovered power and renewed work, but, for 

 the moment, there must be anxiety, and the bitter 

 strain of disappointment, and the rough curb of pain. 

 You are assured of the deep sympathy of many warm- 

 hearted friends to whom you have always shown 

 most generous kindness, and I venture to rank my- 

 self among them. We shall remember you often and 

 anxiously. 



It is a tremendous moment when first one is 

 called upon to join the great army of those who suffer. 



' The Eev. Philip Napier Waggett, now of Cowley St. John, who was 

 one of Mr. Eomanes' most intimate friends. Mr. Waggett's scientific 

 attainments made him a valuable as well as a much loved friend. 



