XXIV 
MEMOIR OF THE LATE 
It would be impossible in the space I have at present assigned myself to give 
more than a faint idea of Mr. Thompson’s friendship to me, and exertions in my 
behalf, during a period of some five years. I can never forget his kindly greet- 
ing and good-bye when we met and when we parted — his judicious counsels, 
and friendly criticisms on any writings I subjected to him, after having turned 
to literature as a profession — and the total absence of anything like a manifested 
feeling of superiority, either in intellect or position. 
It is almost needless to say, that a person circumstanced as I was during the 
greater portion of the time — if not the whole of the period— I had the honour of 
his acquaintance, had to be obliged to him for more than advice. At one time 
out of employment; at another, unable for it; and, again, depending on the 
sometimes uncertain earnings of a contributor to the columns of a London peri- 
odical, I may have known difficulties ; but, if so, it was ever my own fault. His 
purse was as open to me as his smile ; and a rebuke — such a rebuke as only such 
a man could give — when I at any time questioned the propriety of accepting, on 
the grounds of such a shadowy prospect of return. 
From upwards of forty letters, by Mr. Thompson, in my possession, I might 
produce more than as many illustrations of the preceding— of the amiability and 
benevolence of him who, while he never forgot what was necessary in the gen- 
tleman and the scholar, always remembered that he was a man. 
This much and more, on my part, is due to his memory ; you will, therefore, 
please to use it as you may think proper. 
I have the honour to be, Sir, 
Your obedient Servant, 
FRANCIS DAVIS. 
From the year 1847, Mr. Thompson’s health was somewhat uncertain, 
and at times required a good deal of care ; it was, in fact, gradually giv- 
ing way under the attacks of an insidious disease of the heart, to which 
he ultimately fell a victim ; and circumstances of a private nature occur- 
red, which brought with them much mental anxiety. Yet, with these 
sources of disquietude preying upon him, he continued his attendance at 
the committee meetings of all those local Societies, in whose progress he 
felt an especial degree of interest ; and the Society for Promoting Know- 
ledge, the School of Design, the Natural History and Philosophical 
Society, and the Botanic Garden, continued to have the advantage of his 
services. 
In 1851, at the Ipswich meeting of the British Association for Science, 
a deputation, of which Mr. Thompson was one, attended, and it was un- 
animously agreed that the meeting for 1852 should be held at Belfast. 
From this time forward, Mr. Thompson was in frequent communica- 
tion with influential members of the Council of the Association ; and in 
January, 1852, he was deputed by the Committee, in Belfast, to proceed 
to London, attend a meeting of the Council there, on the 31st, and con- 
clude the needful preliminary arrangements. 
This being done, he spent a few days with his London friends, and was 
preparing for his return home, when, on Sunday, the 15th of February, 
whilst walking in one of the public streets, he was seized with dizziness 
in the head. He was able, however, to walk to the residence of his friend, 
Dr. Lankester, who was speedily in attendance. The doctor observed on 
one side of the face evident indications of slight paralysis, and accompa- 
nied him home. He saw him again in the evening, and applied remedies 
for the removal of a difficulty of swallowing. Next morning, Dr. Lankes- 
ter, not finding him better, wished for additional medical advice, and Mr. 
Lane, an eminent surgeon, was accordingly called in. In the evening, 
