Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-24
LAST HOURS OF M. THEIRS.
wrestling with Death for Power OF
Expression.

r. N"'ASAhe
Paris Cor. New York World.J
On the day before his death, last
Sunday, he went out for his usual
walk on the terrace Of st. German.
and meeting a little girl who
seemed to have put herself in his
way in the hope of attracting his
notice, he kissed her and patted her
on her head. He was always fond
OF children - as none know better
than the little daughters of our
minister, Mr.. Washburne, who were
lately taken by their own special
desire to the Hotel st. Georges, and
who had more than friendly re.
ception. Mr.. Washburne, by the
way, was to have called on NJ.
Theirs by appointment one day this
week to present General Noyes.
lie was at the same time to offer
the old statesman parting present
on his own account in the shape of
a fine travelling rug made expressly
for the purpose by Mr.. WaShburne's
brother, who is in the woolen trade.
The name Of A. Thiers is hand.
somely embroidered in red on a
richly-ornamented ground. l saw
the rug yesterday, and it had sort
of melancholy interest, for if it
were used now it could only be. as
his shroud.
He passed Sunday quietly, as he
had passed the day before, On
Saturday he had done nothing more
fatiguiug than to pay a visit to
Meisso1ier, the painter, as Poissy.
Art was one of his darling subjects,
and it was always holiday time with
him when he talked on this theme.
He admired some works he saw at
Poissy very much, complimented
the painter Gas he had done before)
on his portrait of Dumas in the
Salon OF this year, and promised
one day to give him a sitting for
another work of the same kind.
Meissonier had that sitting, and
sooner than he expected. On Mon.
day he was for three hours by his
friends bier drawing the dead face.
On Sunday NJ. Thiers went to
bed early, knowing that he had a
busy day before HIM on theAmor-
row. 1t was the day of the ap.
pointment in town with Gambetta
for the drawing up Of the mani
festo. 1t was one of his mornings
of Fictitious activity. He rose at
five, and after taking coffee went
out for his first, and as it proved,
his last walk-leaning on the arm
Of his old valet, Morel. A friend
from Paris, Admiral Pothuan,
joined him on the terrace and ad-
yised him not to expose himself to
the chilling air. Morel had pre-
viously given him the same advice
both perhaps noticing a change
in him. He laughed and said he
never felt better in his life. "I
could walk ten leagues, but don't be
afraid, | am not going to attempt
it. | must 90 in and work" He
sat down at $50, and read and
wrote till midday, when breakfast
was seryed-a little earlier than
usual, as he wanted to catch a par
ticular train.
He ate pretty heartily until his
dessert was put on the table, and
then he refused a peach, a fruit for
which he always had a particular
liking. At the same time terri
BILE change came over his face, aud
Nine Tniers and Mile Dosne, her
sister ia lady who has for years been
a member Of the family, ran to his
side. at first he tried to make lit
tie Of it-"I feel i'll at ease;" but
the next moment he said, "I am
sufFocating," and this was about
the last word he spoke. They led
him to an easy chair and opened the
window. A doctor Of st. Germain
was sent for, and by his orders M
Theirs was put into the little camp
bed which he carried about with
him in all his journeys. While this
was being done DIR. Barthe, of
Paris, who usually attended him,
WAS being telegraphed for, and on