when earthly life is on the wane, and the spirit, in this expiring thought, takes its last farewell of the flesh. I remember some beautiful evidences of this influence.
It was observed that Porson, after a paralytic fit, scarcely uttered a word of English; but to the last moment spoke Greek fluently.
Dr. Adam (a master of Sir Walter Scott), on the subsidence of delirium, exclaimed, “It grows dark—the boys may dismiss;” and instantly expired.
The last words of Dr. Abercrombie were addressed to an imaginary patient, regarding the care of his digestive functions.
Some time after the trial of the Bristol magistrates, Lord Tenterden lapsed into a stupor from exhaustion. A short period before death he rallied, and, after conversing with his friends for a few minutes, he raised himself on his couch, and said, “Gentlemen of the jury, you may retire;” and then fell back and expired.
SOMNOLENCE.—TRANCE.—CATALEPSY.
——“In this borrow’d likeness of shrunk death,
Thou shalt remain full two and forty hours,
And then awake, as from a pleasant sleep.”
Romeo and Juliet.