se; _and I beg that the rubric may be strictly complied with
in all respects_." This he said specially with reference to the
prescribed number ("three, or two at the least") of communicants beside
himself. The Rev. Mr. Harding, father of one of his intimate friends,
being near at hand, immediately attended, and administered that sacred
and awful rite: Lieutenant Smith, I, and another, partaking of the
sacrament with our dying friend. He was in full possession of his
faculties. He could not rise from the sofa, but made a great effort to
incline towards the clergyman, lying with his hands clasped upon his
breast. When the name of our Saviour was mentioned, he inclined his head
with profound reverence of manner. It was, indeed, a very solemn and
affecting scene, such as will never be effaced from my memory. When it
was over, Mr. Smith gently grasped the hand of Mr. Harding, and faintly
thanked him for his kindness in so promptly attending. He was unable, at
night, to walk to his bed; to which he was assisted by his brother and a
friend. The dark curtain was now rapidly descending between him and this
life. He never rose again from bed; but lay therein the same moaning yet
comparatively tranquil state in which he had been during the week. On
the morning of the day of his death, I went early to sit beside him,
alone; gazing at his poor emaciated countenance, with inexpressible
feelings. Shortly after I left, his oldest friend took my place; and,
after a while, to his great surprise, Mr. Smith, on recognising him,
asked if a particular "case,"--"Exparte ----" was not still in chambers?
On being answered in the affirmative, he requested his friend to get
pen, ink, and paper, and he would dictate the opinion! His friend,
though conceiving him to be wandering and delirious, complied with his
request; on which Mr. Smith slightly elevated himself in bed, and, to
the amazement of his friend, in a perfectly calm and collected manner,
but with great difficulty of utterance, dictated not only an
appropriate, but a correct and able opinion on a case of considerable
difficulty! When he had concluded, with the words, "the case is
practically remediless," he requested that what had been written might
be read over. It was done, and he said, on its being concluded, "There
is only one alteration necessary--strike out the words '_on the case_,'
leaving it '_action_,' simpliciter;" thereby showing an exact
appreciation of a point in the case, wi