The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-08-01
THE ACT OF DYING.
" snaps.

s;r BENJAMIN Brodie, Professor o.
Chemistry in the University OF Oxford
md nm eminent English scientist, IN all
interesting work, entitled "Psyehoiogicsss
Inquiries" gives the following fesuhs ..
his professional experience OF the 'Ss'
moments of life:
Really according to my observation,
the mere net of diving is seldom, IN any
srnse Of the word, very painful pro
cess. 1t is true that some persons die IN
a state of bodily torture, as in cases
of tetanus; that the drlmkard dying, OF
delirium tremens il haunted by terrible
visions, and that the victim OF that mos.
horrible Of all diseases, hydrQphopia, III
addition TO those peculiar bodily suiier,
ines from which the disease has derived
liz name, may be in a state OF terror
rom the supposed presence OF frIighttul
,h;ects which are presented to him as
realities. even to the last. But these
and soms other instances which might
ndduce are exceptions to tho genera RUE
: which is, that both mental ana poohy
> suffering terminates long before the scene
Ia finally closed. This ~ to the actual
y fear If death: II seems to me that the
Anthor Of our existence, for the most par
Ii Gives Il TO III when it is intended that VI
sbould live, and takes it away from III
r. when il ia intended that we should d,e
& Those who have been long tormented b
N bodily pain are generally as anxious I :
F. die as they ever were TO IVe. 90
10 often is with those whose lie has pee
nrotracted TO nh extreme old age, D'
i, ynnd the usual period Of mortality, eve
I'd when they labor under no actual diseas
Eli II ia not very common for any one
ng die merely of old age:
MT iTikc ripe fruit to drop
NJ Into his mothcrslap.'
II, Rut I have Nnown this to happen; a.
,rc honpy conclusion it has seemed to-
of worldly cares and joys. 1t was Il
of falling to sleep, never to wake again
this state Of existence. Some die
tanning MI their faculties. and gu
,hs ware that their dissolution Ii at hal
n nthors offer no recognition OF eIter
&C.. Sc" oh;ects so that it is impossible for us
and form any positive opinion whether u
nmr do or do not retain their sensibllity; 2
and others again, as ! have Already s"'
hal. who appear to be insensiole anu
"' conscious when carefully watched,
49,. found not to BIO so in reality; but q
a'Se I;e contentedly. I have myself ne
II" known but two instances Ill when
' :. ,he net Of dying, there we're mani
I'VE. Wa indications Of the fe;u OF death.
'he ;"J;v;dnals to whom allude were III
nectedly destroyed by hemorrh
won which, from peculiar crcums!a
II, on which I need not now explain, ~
two imnossible to suppress. The depre'
"Nacts which the gradual loss OF
H.. urodmcod on their corporal sy
,.i i"o saomed to influence their minds,
.p ,Ley died earnestly imploring that
NY" W, r'h;ch art was unable to afford. "
might have chosen al easier nea'n
might from opening his arteries.
be on What ! have said refers only
} tide fast stage in the process OF dissoi'
reatcr Thsre il no doubt that apure and
most rei;a;ous faith, and firm relinn
the beinq who has placed us here
,ribute more than anything BEST
a;sarm death of it's terrors, depriv,
rave ~ its victory and smootl
,mssaoe Of the humble and 81
South " Ei.'r 70 the termination Of
o isles, " mis- carney Nevertheless, acct
mile in "" '.''' ,,'n rxn,rience. and what
sloping =" ~, trnm others. the infueu
asst, but n l'rr;o,. tc,l;ncs is, Tor the mos,
q pre-. 49,, sn much perceptihle nj the N
hundred na n,, y, Iao,h il actually umpendin
magnif- N"r 81, wv earlier period. when IL
IN, such ,';,nd who was previously in he
nd warn e ''''',o,ad himself to be 40, first d
possible s ."ipiP Is IL nrobable he will die"
lid that liia' " 10