The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-07

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Sovereign herself came tender messages of
coincidence and anxious inquiries as to the
aged statesman's condition. To all of these
Inquiries but one answer could be given-the
end might be delayed but was inevitable.
BEGISNING OF THE END.
The beginning of the end came early yester-
day. The Premier had slept the greater part
of the night, and throughout the day he slept
at intervals. The afternoon bulletin from the
physicians at the bedside announced that
the Premier strength was rapidly diminishing,
and then all hope fed. As the afternoon slow
ly waned profound stiffness relgned at Earns
clife The scene al Earnsclife after nightfall
was impressive in its solemnity. Up TO mid
night anxious groups gathered upon the lawn
and spoke in whispers of the dying patients
condition. At 9 o'clock Sir Johns heart failed
IN its work, and he sank so low
that for some time he seemed to have
ceased to live. He rallied feebly
and fought his way back 70 the weakest hold
on life man could have. His stupendOus
vitality was making grand struggle. Many
members of Parliament came to Earnscllbe
during the early evening TO learn personally
the patients condition. The Goyernor-Gen-
eral, with an aide-de-camp, walked over to
make his last nightly visit.
COhktbfONDkNIb htEI Nltibs
Al midnight the callers lad al departed,
and the correspondents were left 10 watch the
night out alone. The hours wore slowly on.
The light Of a new day brought with it noth-
ing 10 relieve the anxious suspense. There
was no change in the patients condition, he
was unconscious. his limbs were numb, and
there was nothing TO mark that life
was not extinct except the feeble huttering
of the pulse and the almost imperceptble
breathing. The family had been gathered
about the bedside all night. Lady ,MacdOn-
aid almost worn out by her long vigil, was
there and the PremieTs son, Hugh John Mac
donald had kept his place at his fathers
side.
There was no bulletin from the physicians
this morning. Nothing could be said beyond
what had already been given out. IL was a
matter Of time. perhaps moments, perhaps
hours. The marvellous vitality which WAS
staying the hand of death was slowly. but
surely ebbing.
THE SPARK OF LIFE LINGERKD.
The scenes of tho morning and the after
noon were but counterparts Of yesterday At
2 o'clock the physicians cOncurred IN the
opinion that the Premier could not live until
o'clock, and again did they err. The dying
Premier had been perfectly unconscious for
nearly thirty hours, and still the spark OF life
fingered.
The members of the cabinet had a long
meeting this afternoon. Ministers Dewdney,
BOwell Tupper and COstigan afterward
called at Earnsclie for the report. The
action of the patients heart at times during
the evening was so feeble that Sir
John was believed to be dead. Once
the family gathered at the bed
side under the impression that the
end had come. but il proved TO be another Of
the dreaded sinking spells which in sue
cession had left the aged atatesman with less
vitality. Not since o'clock yesterday after
noon had any substantial liquid nOurishment
passed his lips.
Such an unequal struggle could not much
longer be sustained.
NEARING THE END.
Eventide found the members of the family
gathered about the bedside of the dying
statesman waiting patiently for dissolution
Outside in the dusk were gathered the cor
respondents and small groups of anxious
friends. The patient lay unconscious.
Nature no longer asserted herself
life's fires was burning low. fickered
and smouldered as though the soul
would leave it at each successive breath.
Each would recognize in the dying man ono
vestige of resemblance 20 the great political
leader who had guided the destinies Of Canada
for nearly q century. At 10 o'clock 1t was
evident that the end was near at hand.
The household was summoned to the death
chamber. Lady Macdonald stood by the
side of her noble husband and around her
gathered the members of the family. Her
face showed traces of weary watching and the
long suspense She bore up brayely.
Death came peacefully TO the aged Premier
al 1O:l5 He was unconscious TO the last
The pulse fiuttered. the breath came shorter
and then all was still. When the announce
ment of Sir Johns death was made the bells
of the CITY were tolled to convey the intell-
pence 10 the thousands who were anxiously
awaiting this signal that the grand old man
was no more.
FRUSTRATED WITH GRIEF.
Lady Macdonald is now prostrated with
Grief There has been a suggestion that the
remains OF Sir John Macdonald should be in
tered in Westminster Abbey and II has given
rise to considerable discussion.
Referring to this suggestion the Toronto
Evening Telegram says tonight: Ottowa is
i'm a sense our political Jerusalem, and en-
shrined in Parliament Hill, a nations heart,
the ashes of Sir John Macdonald would sleep
in a noble tomb. True greatness will be Sc
cured 10 generation after generation OF Cana
dams who will 60 there TO honor the memory
of one Of the founders of nation that WILL
endure till the resurrection day.
Sir John Macdonald's remains have been
given to the undertaken for embalming. The
funeral will likely take place on Tuesday next
and will be of a state character On that day
the body will probably be removed to the
Senate chamber and lie in state for four or
FIVE hours. The interment, IL Is believed, Will
take place at Kingston, where the Premiers
first wife and father are buried.
SKETCH on HIS IIFE.
Sir John A. Macdonald was born in Suther-
landshire. Scotland. January III. 1915. He was
brought TO Canada in 1870 when his father,
Hugh Macdonald. settled in Kingston, Ont.