The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-07
PREMONITIoNs OF DEATH.
Notable Cases in Which PRESENT.
ments Have Been Realized.


Household Words.
The first symptom of approaching death
with some is the strong presentiment that
they are about to die.
Ozanam, the mathematician, while in APP
parent health rejected pupils from the feel
ing that he was on the eve of resting from
his labors, and he expired soon after of an
apoplect1c stroke
Fletcher the divine, had a dream which
Swallowed out his impending dissolution, and
believing it to be the merciful warning of
heaven, he sent for a sculptor and ordered
his tomb. Begin, your work forthwith he
said at parting; there is no time to lose"
And unless the artist had obeyed the adj
monition death would have proved the
quicker workman OF the two. Mozart wrote
his requiem under the conviction that the
monument he was raising to his genius
would, by the power of association, prove
a universal monument to his remains When
life was fleeing very fast he called for the
score, and, musing over it, said: DID not
tell you truly that 1t was for myself that
/ composed that death chant?"
Another great artist, in different depart
ment convinced that his hand was about to
lose its cunning, chose a subject emblemat-
ical of the coming event. His friends in
CURED the nature of his coming design and
I'm that case" rejoined one, there will be
an end of the painter" What was uttered
in jest was answered in earnest, with a
solemn look and a heavy sigh. There will,
he said land the sooner my work is done
the better" He commenced next day. Ia
bored upon the drawing with unfemitting
diligence, and when he had given it the last
touch seized his palette, broke it in pieces
and said II have finished" The print was
published in March under the title of
"Finis,' and in October the curious eyes
which saw the manners in the face were
closed in the dust. Our ancestors who were
prone to look in the air for causes which
were to be found upon the earth, attributed
these intimations to various supernatural
agencies.
mystery it can be called. in a single SEN
tence. 1--WE sometimes he says, feel
within ourselves that we shall not live; for
the living powers become weak, and the
nerves communicate the intelligence to the
BRAIN"
His own case has often been quoted among
the marvels of which he offered this rational
explanation. He ntimated, on leaving
home, that if d discussion which awaited
would prove his death. colleague gave
him the lie, the coarse word verified the
prophecy, and he expired almost immediate
ly in an adjoining room. There was every
thing to lament in the circumstance, but
nothing at which to wonder.
Circumstances which at another time
would excite no attention are accepted for
an omen when health is failing. The order
for the requiem with Mozart, the dream
with Fletcher, turned the current of their
departure for the continent. stood contem-
plating the picture Of a brother author, and
exclaimed, his eyes full of tears, Poor
Weston!' In the same detected tone he
added, after a pause, Soon others shall say,
Poor Foote! I" And to the surprise of his
representation. The expectation of the
event had a share in producing it: for a
slight shock completes the destruction of
PROSTATE energies.
The case of Wolsey was singular. The
morning before he died he asked of Caven-
dish the hour, and, was answered "Past
eight" Eight of the clock?" replied VOL
sey; that cannot be; eight of the clock
nay. nay, it cannot be. eight of the clock.
for by eight of the clock you shall lose
your master"
The day he miscalculated. the hour came
true. On the following morning. as the
clock struck eight. his troubled spirit passed
from life. Cavendish and the bystanders
thought he must have had a revelation of
the time of his death, and, from the way in
which the fact had taken possession of his
mind, we suspect that he relied on astrologi-
velation in his own esteem.