Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-04-01

from humanity during GO of the years he
lived. One Of the unihaEked benefaciors
of his race, neither poet nor prophet, he
nevertheless by a cold, clear intelligence,
brought to mankind the pure white light OF
truth.
In 1910, Cayendish is represented to have
been in appearance an old man, wearing
pcrukc and coat, queue, frills and rufllcs.
lie was illustrious at that date, not only in
heraldry of noble English family and
grandson of duke, but as mathemati-
clan, chemist and astronomer. No science
has been too expansive for his grasp. For
more than half a century, day after day, in
his palatial workshop, he had weighed the
earth, unveiled the mysteries of the stars,
and solved complex problems Of natural
science. He had never suffered from i'll
ness. Elation or depression of spirits did
not belongto him. His religious belief was
not known. Tie elements that kindly
mixed in our common nature, unite men to
men, in him, if lie possessed them, were in
atrophy. He was the isolated product of
his species. Discovery OF truth in nature
was the sole object before him, and life,
like a spent steed, painted for that goal.
The mystery of death is unknown to the
living. That cogna,e mystery, the senti.
ment of death approaching, is almost equal.
ly unknown. That the latter, even though
as vague prescience, is often a reality with
the aged, no experienced physician doubts.
1t seems to have come with unusual vivid
ness TO Henry Cavendish. Without pre-.
montorY disease or sickness, or withdrawal
from daily duties, or decadence of mental
powers, or physical disability, he made up
his mind that he was about to die. Clos
ing his telescope, putting his achromatic
glasses in their several grooves, locking the
doors of his laboratories, destroying the pa
pers he deemed useless and arranging those
corrected for pubicati n, he ascended to
his sleeping apartment and rang hell. A
servant appeared.
Edgar" said Cavendish, addressing him
by name, "listen! Have ever command
ed you to do an unreasonable thing n
The man heard the question without as
tonishment, he knew his masters eccen-
tricites, and replied in the negative.
"And that being the case," continued the
old man, 81 believe have a right to be
obeyed."
The domestic bowed his assent.
81 shal. now give you my last command"
Cavendish went on to say. II am going to
die. | shall upon your departure lock my
room. Here let me be alone for eight hours.
Tell no one. Let no person come near.
When the time has passed, come and see if
| am dead. If so, let Lord George Caven-
dish know. This is my last command, now
go!
The servant knew from long experience,
that to dispute his masters will wonld be
u. eless. He bowed, therefore, and turned
to go away.
"S,ay,-one word' added Cavendish.
"Re,e4t craetly The order have giyen.'
Edgar repeated the older, promised obe-
dieuce once more, and retired from the
chamber.
Bat the command, though given by a
master who never torgavc disobed;ence, was
too mysterious to be followed 1t seemed
to point to suicide. One. two and three
hours passed. All was quiet in the house.
Was the master dead? The servant burst
not ascertain, but, urged on by continual
ly rtensifying suspense, at last started for
London and made the particulars known to
ClT I.NtTaIu IluiIt, Tue tcicDIdteu Heulcdl
practitioner. The news was so alarming.
for at this time the name of Cavendish
was respected hardly less than that of New
ton,-that the physician hurried with the
servant back to Clapham.
They arriveFat Cavendish House before
the expiration Of the appointed eight hours,
and proceeded at once to the bed room, lis
tened for an instant outside. All was 81
lent. The door was forced open and they
entered the apartment, Z lgar keeping b.
HAD not caring to encounter his masters
look after breaking a promise SO solemnly
given. Sir Evcrard approached the bed.
Cuvendish was neither dead nor asleep
His eyes were open, but Yacart; his lips
quivering, but voiceless; his position on the
bed natural, but more like one who had
prepared himself for death than sleep
There were appearances neither Of pain
nor poison.
Sir Everard approached still nearer, gen.
tly removed the coverlet and took Caven-
dish by the hand. He had not before
shown any consciousness of the presence of
physician or servant, but now, disturbed in
his reverics by the Doctors touch, he seem
ed to remember that the sanctitv Of his re-
tirement had been invaded. He started
but made no remark. Looking around the
chamber he presently recognized Edgar,
and frowning sternly, waved him out of the
room.
Sir Everard inquired if he felt i'll.
81 am not i'll, replied Caveudish, "but
am about to die. Don't you think man
Of so has lived long enough? Why am
disturbed? | had matters arranged. Give
me glass of water
The glass of water was handed to him,
he drank it, turned on his back, closed his
eyes and died.
This end of the grea, man, improbable
as are some of the incidents narrated, is no
Fl ;ton Of imagination. Sir Everard Homes
statement, read before the Royal Institution
corroboratcs every particular. The men,
tai constitution of the philosopher, puzzlng
enough during his life, was shrouded GER
tainly in even greater mystery in his death.
N. !. ObSerrr.