The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-10-03
Conscious at the End and Expressed Desire
for National Funeral and to Have His
Remains Placed in the Pantheon.
Remarkable Career of the Nan Who
Wrote the Famous "Life of Jesus"
Educated for the Priesthood. He Became Rank
Heretic, hut One that the World Ad-
mired-Young Spurgeon breaches.
DEATH OF NJ. RENAN.

The Distinguished Author and Philoiosiss
Dies Suddenly at Paris.
PARIS. Oct 2-Joseph Ernest Renan. the
distinguished philologist and author. whose
serious illness was announced yesterday.
died at an early hour to-day, after endur-
ing intense suffering. The ailment which
resulted IN Nj. Remains death was con-
tracted on Tuesday last. On that day he
went out driving and caught q severe cold.
which speedily developed into congestion
of the lungs. He was slightly better on
Saturday morning, and his friends took
hope that he would rally and recover from
the disease with which he had been pros
trated. They were doomed to deep disap-
pointment. however. as towards evening
his legs and stomach began to swell, and he
suffered great agony. His condition neces-
STATED painful operation, which had the
effect of weakening the patients vitality.
After the operation bad been performed Nj.
Renan continued to grow weaker and
weaker, aud died at6:20 O'clock this morn
ing
1t is said that nj. Renan was rational up
to the last moment. and that when he
found death drawing nigh he expressed
q wish that he might have o national
funeral. and that his body might be in
TERED in the Pantheon. NJ. Renan died
In the College de France, little way be-
yond the new buildings of the Sorbonne.
His children were present at bis bedside
when death came, and his sutferings were
soothed by their gentle and constant min
man.
M. De Freycin Minister Of War, Gen.
Fevrier, Pere Hyacinth. NJ. LeConte de
Lisle, the poet Nj. Puvis lie Chavannes.
the painter, and other personaRes ceie-
bra ted in the political. srtistic nd scien-
titic world of France. called at the college
during the day and inscribed their names
on the visitors book. Only a very few In
mi.ted to the death chamber. The body
will probably be embalmed. NJ. Lockroy.
formerly Minister of Education, and
M. Berthelot, the celebrated chemist,
wired messages to M. Bourgeois, Minister
of Public Instruction and the Arts sug
gesting that the remains of NJ. Renan be
honored with public funeral. M.
Bourgeois 10 reply. promised 10 ask the
Cabinet to take the desired action IN the
matter and to make the lnterment the occa-
sion of q grand and imposing demonstra-
tion. The Temps in an obituary article
says that NJ. Renan had finished writing
the History of Israel" on which work he
had been engaged for some time. The
OF respect for the generous qualities OF the
deceased and as q token of appreciation OF
his high talents. his remains be accorded
the honor Of o national funeral.
While in Brittany NJ. Renan was trou-
bled with insomnia and his artist son, AIRY,
was forced to spend part of the night read
ing to HIM.
Four hours before death NJ. Renan turned
to his wife and said: why are you sadp
because see you suffer- she replied.
BE calm and resigned" he responded,
I'VE undergo the laws of that nature
whereof we are manifestation. We
perish: we disappear; but heaven and earth
remain and the march of time goes on for
ever.'
NJ. Renan may be said to have died from
the results of influenza aggravated by a
weak heart. and chronic pout and rhema-
tism, often rendered acute by his aversion
to physical exercise. He insisted supon
spending his summer holidays IN his native
Brittany. the moist climate OF which was
unsuited to his state of health. When his
wife protested in favor Of dryer climate.
he replied that it was the moral atmosphere
of Brittany that suited him best, and he
felt happiest there. The first severe
shock to his health occurred years
ago. resulting from the fatigue of
as q pail bearer In the teeth OF November
blast for the Acadamecian Cuvillier Fieury.
His heart was always weak afterwards
His wife brought him from Rospoman on to
i
to he near q doctor. His heart was so weak
that he did not dare TO lie down on the
journey. fearing he would die He rallied
after q few days rest, and was able to take
short walks to Luxembourg. De occupied
himself In putting his literary affairs in or
der. He said TO his wife that after five
years his memoirs could offend nobody.
In his last days he had many friends ALI
his family were around him at the end. He
suffered severely from a renal disorder.
which necessitated painful operation.
His face IN death looks ineffably serene. and
conveys On idea of power which it foiled to
do in life. 1t is doubtful whether his life
would have been the charming rambls
through reality that he found it but for the
help and sympathy of three women-hIs
noble hearted sisters, Rosalie and Mad
anne Cornu, the latter the Emperors
foster sister, who procured for him the his
torical mission TO Syria. and his admirable
wife, whose mind, SO fine and enlightened,
qualified her to be his kindly companion,
literary counselor and friend. Being con-
scious that he would soon die, he made all
arrangements for the publication of the
final volume of his History of Israel" and,
few years hence, Of some volumes Of
"reminiscences
characteristics of u Great Man.
Hardly any Frenchmsn of the present day
~.