o began to edit the literary remains
of the late Mr Edward Ellice, to whom he was joint literary executor
along with Mrs Ellice.

At the time of the General Assembly Dr Burton had the pleasure of seeing
once more his valued friend, the Rev. James White, minister of Methlick.
This gentleman had been his schoolfellow at the Grammar School in
Aberdeen. The two old friends spent a pleasant summer evening together
at Morton. On the Saturday before his own death Dr Burton learned that
of Mr White. "Ah! so Jamie White's gone," he said, "and _without the
catalogues_." The last part of his sentence referred to old class lists
in which Joannes Burton and Jacobus White's names appear next each
other. They believed themselves the last survivors of their Grammar
School class.

On Tuesday, 2d August, he walked into Edinburgh and out again as usual,
though his family drove in at the same time that he walked, and drove
out again also at the same time, in the hope that he would avail himself
of a seat in the pony-carriage, at least for part of the way. His
aversion to driving clung to him. He did not appear fatigued, declared
himself the better for the walk, and even next day still boasted of the
advantage which he thought he always gained from a long walk. On
Thursday, 4th August, he became very hoarse, and complained of sore
throat. On Friday these complaints were better. On Saturday, 6th, he
slept almost the whole day, rousing himself to take food when required,
and always intending to rise, but as the shades of evening fell
announcing his intention of "making a day of it," and being very active
and down in good time next day.

On Sunday, 7th, he did come down as early as usual, and did not
complain, but appeared languid, lying on the sofa the greater part of
the day,--a thing he had never done before. He read and talked as usual.
He sat at table with his family at dinner for the last time. It was
observed that he looked ill, so ill that his wife resolved to send for
the doctor as soon as possible next day, which was Monday, again the
8th, of August. The night had passed quietly, but on the doctor's
arrival he pronounced the case very grave. The lungs were much
congested, and the heart's action weak. The day brought no aggravation
of the symptoms; again the night was quiet.

On Tuesday, 9th August, there was a slight improvement, which continued
throughout the night.

On Wednesday, 10th, the improvement seemed more marked till